Outdoor Health

This open access book will be the seminal text and guide for the emerging Outdoor Health sector. As Outdoor Health consolidates into a respected and vital field of evidence-informed nature-based health interventions, this book will be a handbook and evidence-based resource for practitioners, providers, researchers, students and policy makers. The edited book contributes new knowledge, sound theory, mature practices and examples of impact across four key areas: 1) Practice & Quality; 2) Research & Evidence; 3) Community & Engagement; and 4) Policy & Advocacy.

The narrative woven throughout this scholarly work acknowledges past, present and future contributors. It provides continuity of people, place and purpose, capturing the values and ethics we enact within our professional community, with guidance for the field as it matures. Grounded in Indigenous and cross-cultural perspectives, the book is inclusive and diverse, and presents a road map for the future. The book demonstrates a valued role for outdoor and nature-based services across the continuum of health, mental health and wellbeing.

This book provides a mentored process for first time editors, authors, and reviewers, who bring their extensive professional experience to the writing endeavour. As such, the project provides a training and capacity building pathway for future research, literature, and publication in the Outdoor Health sector.