Towards inclusion: a policy analysis to support the implementation of sustainability and environmental stewardship initiatives in Nanaimo Ladysmith Public School

Abstract

Outdoor education has numerous benefits for students including improved physical and mental health, increased creativity and critical thinking, and enhanced social and emotional learning. Outdoor education also provides a range of environmental benefits such as the development of ecological identities, critical science agency, environmental stewardship, and sustainability. However, not all children and youth have equal access to outdoor education. Factors such as socioeconomic status, race, and gender create significant barriers to accessing outdoor spaces and programs. This lack of access contributes to inequities in education, limiting opportunities for certain students, and perpetuating disparities in life. School districts, schools, and educators need to actively ensure that all students have equal access to the benefits of outdoor learning, regardless of their background or circumstances. This Master of Education research is a critical policy analysis centered on the intersection of inclusion and outdoor education for one school district: Nanaimo Ladysmith Public Schools (SD 68 NLPS). The purpose of this research was to provide research-informed recommendations to SD 68 NLPS regarding the implementation of their new Environmental Stewardship Action Plan. Phase I of the research examined district and provincial inclusion documents (n=6) to identify what SD 68 NLPS is bound to as it relates to justice, equity, inclusion, and diversity. These documents were qualitatively coded and four major themes emerged. Phase II of the study looked for evidence of these four themes in SD 68 NLPS sustainability documents (n=3). Evaluation coding assessed how the district’s own inclusion policies were integrated (i.e., clearly embedded ++, superficially present +, absent -). The study concludes with recommendations to SD 68 NLPS for improving access to outdoor education, promoting environmental stewardship, and the importance of tailoring the Environmental Stewardship Action Plan to the specific goals and objectives of the district.