Nature Play QLD’s mission is to increase the time Queensland kids spend in unstructured play outdoors and in nature. It is founded on the understanding that unstructured, outdoor nature play is fundamental to a full and healthy childhood.
Increased time spent outdoors
Nature Play QLD Value Statement
We believe a healthy world comes from a complete and balanced childhood incorporating free outdoor play.
Vision
For unstructured outdoor play to become a normal part of every child’s life in Queensland, so they can develop into resilient, healthy and creative people.
Mission
To work innovatively and collaboratively to make nature play an integral part of childhood for everyone.
We collaborate with partners to encourage Nature Play communities
Nature play promotes health benefits, including cognitive, social and emotional development, and it builds resilience and creativity as well. Experiences in nature as a child also leads to environmental awareness and stewardship later in life.
Nature Play QLD is a collaborative organisation, working with partner groups to encourage the Queensland community to value nature play, and support families to prioritise it in children’s lives. Our primary role is to advocate the nature play message and to increase access to nature play resources, events and programs for Queenslanders.
Inspired by great minds
Nature Play QLD is inspired by the ideas of American social commentator Richard Louv and the Children & Nature Network, and is administered in Queensland by Outdoors Queensland.
Nature Play QLD is affiliated with Nature Play WA, Nature Play SA and Nature Play ACT.
Nature Play QLD is made possible through the support of the Queensland Government.
Meet our team
Meet the passionate people behind Nature Play QLD. If you would like to collaborate with us or are looking for advice on introducing nature play or outdoor learning to your centre or home we would love to hear from you.
Angela Wright
Program Manager
0488 171 383manager@natureplayqld.org.auContact for: new and ongoing partnerships and programs, speaker invitations.
Angela has been in recreation and sport in local government since 1988 and has during this time has been advocating and planning for outdoor recreation places, spaces, programs and services. A short stint in Sport and Recreation Qld (1998-2000) projected Angela in the outdoor recreation policy area and she has been working solidly since then advancing outdoor recreation policy and strategy at the local government level. Angela worked for the last 17 years for Redland City Council in the City Spaces Group (parks, sport and recreation). She is currently semi-retired but continues to do voluntary work with Nature Play Qld in the play spaces area and other consultancy work.
Rebecca Burch
Education Coordinator
0438 869 641education@natureplayqld.org.auContact for: Community engagement opportunities with the education sector, all education-based queries including Forest Learning and Outdoor Learning and related professional development, or interest in booking an Intro to Forest Learning Workshop at your centre.
Rebecca is a passionate advocate for nature play and its immense benefits to support holistic development and wellbeing. She is an educator who loves inspiring others; children, families and educators to play and learn with and in nature. Rebecca loves connecting with land and water and all the living things to learn about the world as a co-learner and collaborator with children. She has over 25 years experience teaching in education settings in rural areas, community based and has focused her work in Early Childhood services. She has a Forest School Leader qualification and is actively working in a nature program aligned with the principles of Forest School that delivers child led outdoor curriculum in Playgroup, Preschool and Primary settings. Rebecca has strong values of sustainability and believes we all can become environmental stewards through active citizenship in our communities.
Rebecca has vast experience supporting students and educators to embrace nature pedagogy and implement nature based learning environments in diverse program settings. She is devoted to sharing concepts of embedding nature in all aspects of education practices and teaching.
In her spare time, Rebecca likes to explore all the stunning scenery the hinterland has to offer in South East Queensland.
Anya Imhoff
Education Coordinator - currently on maternity leave, please contact Rebecca Burch
education@natureplayqld.org.auContact for: Community engagement opportunities with the education sector, all education-based queries including Forest Learning and Outdoor Learning and related professional development, or interest in booking an Intro to Forest Learning Workshop at your centre.
Anya moved to Queensland from the UK in September 2015 with the desire to continue to use her knowledge and experience to promote greater opportunities for children to engage in outdoor nature play based learning.
Whilst completing a degree in Primary Education she developed a professional interest in the area of outdoor nature play provision and took her study into outdoor learning further completing her Master in Education. She later spent five years as an Early Years and Primary teacher, while also training as a Level 3 Forest School Leader. Anya has created on-site Forest School areas, coordinated a whole school/ community development towards increasing outdoor nature play learning opportunities and has supported and trained colleagues and parents in the importance of regular nature play opportunities. She has also managed and delivered Forest School programs in and out of term times both in a childcare setting and in local woodlands.
In her spare time Anya is thoroughly enjoying exploring and discovering all the outdoor beauty Queensland has to offer.
Kristy Lohrisch
Marketing Coordinator
0480 286 210marketing@natureplayqld.org.auContact for: public relations and opportunities to promote Nature Play QLD and passports queries.
Kristy loves to lead a fit and active lifestyle. She is a CrossFit athlete and is deeply interested in nutrition. She currently runs a small business selling healthy snacks to help people lead a healthy and balanced life.
Kristy has 6 years’ experience in social media and marketing as well as carrying a degree in graphic design. She loves to create a two way conversation between like-minded people to help build a community.
Her passion for camping, hiking and travel makes a great fit to encourage children to do the same. She believes that combining health and fitness with outdoor time is the perfect mix to happy and well-balanced life for the very young to the old.
Hubertien Wichers
Office Manager
0417 494 706info@natureplayqld.org.auContact for: invoicing and financial queries, event and ticket bookings and general enquiries.
Hubertien joined the Nature Play QLD team in December 2015. She is trained in accounting and the hospitality industry and until recently, has worked for the state government in her local community.
Her passion for the outdoors is evident in her participation and organisation of trail and mountain races. She has represented Australia on several occasions at the World Mountain Running Championships and loves encouraging people to live life outdoors.
