EDUCATION
The Salzburg Statement on Nature-Based Education The world is facing multiple global crises that interact and amplify each other. There are environmental crises, including biodiversity loss and climate change, crises of social justice on every continent, and a crisis in education as our systems struggle to equip children with the skills they need to thrive. Nature-Based Education (NBE) offers a feasible, immediate, and hopeful solution to many of these complex, interconnected challenges. Bringing nature into the core of learning results in healthier, happier, smarter people who become better stewards for a healthier planet. The time for action is now. NATURE-BASED EDUCATION: TIME FOR ACTION
What Is Nature-Based Education?
Inspired by the urgency of the climate crisis,
Nature-Based Education is a collection of educational strategies
leaders from conservation, environment, and
that bring nature to the core of learning. Put simply, it means more
education came together at Salzburg Global from
nature in the classroom and more of the classroom in nature -
September 8 to 13, 2025 for a session on "Nature-
this includes formal education, non-formal learning, and informal
Based Education: Time for Action." They combined
learning.
their energy and expertise to develop a roadmap for expanding Nature-Based Education and
NBE reminds learners of their deep connection with nature and
tackling multiple global challenges.
that this relationship is critical to building a regenerative future. It gives students the skills, knowledge, and mindsets they need
World leaders have already committed to
to thrive, while at the same time promoting student and teacher
reversing biodiversity loss and taking urgent
well-being and encouraging better stewardship of nature and the
measures to combat climate change by 2030, but
planet.
most countries have not yet unlocked the power of NBE to achieve these goals. This Salzburg
To activate this potential, learning must be experiential and
Statement asks education leaders to commit to
emotional. By doing that in nature, with its capacity to create
embedding nature into our education systems. It
magic, we can open the doors for a deeper understanding of
invites educators, families, school leaders and all
relationships in general.
other stakeholders to exercise their agency and imagination to integrate NBE at scale to deliver benefits for people and the planet. The Salzburg Global session was designed in partnership with the TUI Care Foundation,
Call to Action
International Union for the Conservation of Nature Commission on Education and Communication,
Rebuilding our connection to nature is an urgent and
Canadian Wildlife Federation, and other partners.
achievable priority that will transform learning, improve well-being, and help create a regenerative future. Whether you are a parent, teacher, leader, or policymaker, you have a
Find out more about
vital role to play. Start today by taking a bite-sized moment of
the outcomes of
connection with nature and urge people who have influence
Salzburg Global's session on
in your school or education system to accelerate the adoption
Nature-Based Education.
of Nature-Based Education in all schools and communities to address the learning, well-being, and planetary crises.