Nature Walk Program as Means of Reconnecting with the Natural Environment: An Alternative Physical Education

Introduction: The paper is a result of introducing environmental ecology awareness through an outdoor recreation activity as a Physical Education (PE) course dubbed as the “Nature Walk Program.” It was grounded on the principle that the need for environmental protection may not only be the work of practitioners in the pure sciences but also essentially believed to look into more avenues of the school setting particularly in the discipline of Physical Education. It is a means of putting up an alternative physical education activity utilizing the natural environment following a series of carefully planned procedures devised by the author. Methods: The participants of the study were college students and Physical Education teachers. Exposed to different sites that contain a wide variety of flora and fauna both endemic and introduced to the place. Using the qualitative design, it looked into the participant's awareness of nature; effects of the natural environment on perceptions based on the four areas of learning development in physical education namely: emotional, social physical and mental. Result: Introducing the participants to the different avian species, various endemic plants and the serenity of the study's sites, has resulted in a more profound awareness. It led to understanding the need to protect the environment, appreciation of the value of natural areas and acquiring a positive attitude for sustainable use of the environment during the practice of Physical Education. Participants were able to identify and appreciate various species of birds and some plants found in the sites of the study that may lead to further conservation. Conclusion: This research, found out that a nature walk program is a useful tool in the procreation of various Physical education activities using the natural environment. It may lead to an answer to the question of bringing to attention the limited inclusion and facilities in PE programs. As it is increasingly well established that the natural and constructed features of the environment affect behavior, interpersonal relationships, and actual mental states.