Nature Study in Australia Past, Present and a Desirable Future

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Natural history has been important in western civilization since Aristotle published the History of Animals in the 4th Century until modern times through the extraordinary popularity of naturalist Sir David Attenborough's books, television series and films. Despite natural history having laid the foundation for many advances in biology, Nature study in Australian schools has been in decline after once playing an important role, especially in the curriculum of elementary schools. Nature study and its accompanying field work is now less common in the crowded curriculum which must accommodate considerable laboratory and ‘inside' work, reflecting the multiple subdisciplines that now constitute biology. A future is envisioned where the value of study of nature is re-invigorated, one that will better prepare citizens for a world in which there are serious environmental challenges, especially in terms of loss of biodiversity and climate change.