Unit 1: Connections with outdoor environments

This unit examines some of the ways in which Indigenous peoples and non-Indigenous peoples understand and relate to nature through experiencing outdoor environments. The focus is on individuals and their personal responses to experiencing outdoor environments.

You are given the opportunity to explore the many ways in which nature is understood and perceived. We work to develop a clear understanding of the range of motivations for interacting with outdoor environments, the factors that affect an individual’s access to experiencing outdoor environments and how they connect with outdoor environments.

Through outdoor experiences, we develop practical skills and knowledge to help us act sustainably in outdoor environments. We work to understand the links between practical experiences and theoretical investigations, gaining insight into a variety of responses to, and relationships with, nature.

Unit 2: Discovering outdoor environments

This unit focuses on the different ways to understand outdoor environments and the impact of humans on outdoor environments.

In this unit we study the effects of natural changes and impacts of land management practices on the sustainability of outdoor environments by examining a number of case studies of specific outdoor environments, including areas where there is evidence of human intervention.

We develop the practical skills required to minimise the impact of humans on outdoor environments. Our students comprehend a range of vocational perspectives that inform human use of outdoor environments. Through reflecting upon their experiences of outdoor environments, our students make comparisons between outdoor environments, as well as develop theoretical knowledge about natural environments.

Unit 3: Relationships with outdoor environments

The focus of this unit is the ecological, historical and social contexts of relationships between humans and outdoor environments in Australia. Case studies of a range of impacts on outdoor environments are examined in the context of the changing nature of human relationships with outdoor environments in Australia over 60,000 years.

You will consider several factors that influence relationships with outdoor environments. We also examine the dynamic nature of relationships between humans and their environment.

You will be involved in multiple experiences in outdoor environments, including in areas where there is evidence of human interaction. Through these practical experiences, you make comparisons between, and reflect upon, outdoor environments, as well as develop theoretical knowledge and skills about specific outdoor environments.

You will undertake an independent investigation into the changing relationships with, and sustainability of, at least two different visited outdoor environments across both Units 3 and 4, which is assessed in Unit 4, Outcome 3.

Unit 4: Sustainable outdoor relationships

In this unit you will explore the sustainable use and management of outdoor environments. We observe and assess the health of outdoor environments and consider the importance of this health for the future of Australian outdoor environments and the Australian population.

You are given the opportunity to examine the importance of the sustainability of human relationships with outdoor environments and the urgent need to balance human needs and the needs of outdoor environments. We investigate current acts and conventions as well as management strategies for achieving and maintaining healthy and sustainable Australian outdoor environments in contemporary Australian society.

You will have the opportunity to engage in multiple related experiences in outdoor environments, conducting an ongoing investigation into the health of, and care for, these places. We learn and apply the practical skills and knowledge required to sustain healthy outdoor environments and evaluate the strategies and actions we employ. Through these practical experiences, we reflect upon outdoor environments and make comparisons between them by applying theoretical knowledge developed about outdoor environments.

As global citizens, you will investigate how individuals and community members take action towards promoting sustainable and healthy outdoor environments and describe possible solutions to threats facing outdoor environments and their sustainability.

We undertake an independent investigation into the changing relationships with, and sustainability of, at least two different visited outdoor environments across both Units 3 and 4, which is assessed in Unit 4, Outcome 3.