The Wilderness Society Nature Book Week - The science of why nature books matter

Nature books spark curiosity and create wonder from the canopy of trees to the microbes in the soil.

Since 1994, The Wilderness Society have been celebrating the best new fiction and non-fiction books written for children that promote a love of nature. Nature Book Week returns this year 14-20 October.

Join ResourceSmart Schools facilitator Emily Condon and Nature Book Week Ambassador Dr Jen Martin to discuss the science behind why nature books matter so much. Spoiler: they’re not just fun and educational, but they’re great for creativity and our mental health too!

About our guest presenter:

Associate Professor Jen Martin (@scidocmartin) spent many years working as a field ecologist until she decided the most useful thing she could contribute as a scientist was to teach other scientists how to be effective and engaging communicators. Jen founded and leads the University of Melbourne's acclaimed Science Communication Teaching Program and is deeply committed to helping scientists develop the skills they need to be visible, make connections and have impact. She also practises what she preaches: for 18 years she’s been talking about science each week on 3RRR radio, she writes for a variety of publications, hosts the Let’s Talk SciComm podcast and MCs events. Jen was named the 2019 Unsung Hero of Australian Science Communication, is Ambassador for The Wilderness Society’s Nature Book Week and is a member of the Homeward Bound Faculty, a global leadership program for women in STEMM. She’s also a member of the Board at The Wilderness Society and the Australasian Dark Sky Alliance. Jen’s first popular science book, ‘Why am I like this? The science behind your weirdest thoughts and habits’ was published by Hardie Grant in 2024.

This online event is for ResourceSmart schools. If your school is not yet a ResourceSmart school, click here to register and you will be supported by your own ResourceSmart facilitator to deliver our flexible and award-winning program.

Any details you supply will be treated in accordance with Sustainability Victoria’s Privacy Policy.

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