The living things, the ecosystems and the process that form them, and the places in which we find them. E.g the forest 

Those environments that have minimal influence from humans, but may also include those that have been subject to human intervention. E.g The beach 

An environment that is big, remote and untouched, or relatively untouched, by humans. (remote is away from urban areas) e.g Waterfall

Areas such as national parks, state parks, marine parks and heritage areas that are protected, preserved and managed by humans. E.g lake

Areas of permanent infrastructure designed to support higher population densities such as cities and towns

What is a natural environment as opposed to an unnatural environment?

Something that is natural is said to occur ‘ out there’ somewhere or comes from nature itself. Unnatural usually refers to an object or process that humans have influenced in some way.

Personal responses to risk in outdoor experiences; including perceived risk and real risk

Real Risk: The amount of risk which actually exists at a given moment in time. Often associated with experienced people. Something you cant control e.g waves, comes from the natural environment. 

Perceived Risk: Individual’s subjective assessment of the real risk present at any time. Often associated with inexperienced people. Edge of a diving board

Minimal impact 

You should have minimal impact on the environment as possible. When you leave a natural area making sure that you collect your rubbish after you leave, if you have a barbecue not leaving the coal all around the floor and if you used a tent taking all the equipment with you. The environment should be left how it was. Leaving the environment how you find it and not taking anything but photos 

Formed through personal experiences which then form ideas and notions concerning a particular area. Can also be through an external experience source such as books, TV, etc.

Knowledge of general or specific environmental history such as changes to that landscape and the animals that inhabit it. Includes basic understanding of what has occurred in a specific environment throughout a period of time. E.g Uluru 

Economic- What the natural environment can hold in terms of resources and income opportunities such as tourism or primary industry. Access to the natural environment in terms of cost to an individual or organisation also effects the ways of knowing a certain environment. Consideration of how far it is to travel to, fees for use of the area (camping grounds, recreational activities etc.) e.g commercial fishermen

Social: The human interaction with an environment, if the experience involves risk taking through certain activities or interaction with other people in the natural environment.

Concerning biological sciences and the science that exists within the different ecosystems along with the interrelationship of all living organisms. Habitats

For example loggers, miners, fisheries (large scale), tourism industry, non-indigenous settlers, during the gold rush

The environment has always provided resources for human survival.

From our hunter-gather lifestyle to current practices like LARGE scale mining.
RECREATION – typically using the environment for enjoyment, amusement or pleasure and is considered ‘fun’ by the participant.

It can include passive (bird watching), active (rock climbing), and educational activities (our O&ES trips). 
ADVENTURE – exciting, risky or daring experience that is in some was hazardous or dangerous in nature.

Usually involves the individual challenging themselves against nature.
SPIRITUAL CONNECTION – people who have a deep relationship and bond with outdoor environments.

Indigenous people are an example of people having a spiritual connection with natural environments.
STUDY SITE: location or place where investigation, analysis and other activities occur in the pursuit of knowledge.

Outdoor environments can be experienced as study sites for both scientists and students. 

Geologists, ecologists, archaeologists, anthropologists, botanists and agriculturalists are just some of the scientists who study outdoor environments in order to better understand them.

Middle access- Average pay access, Surfing, skydiving 

High access- People are more likely to go because its for free e.g beach, some camps

Socioeconomic Status (SES)- An economic and sociological combined total measure of a person's work experience and of an individual's or family’s economic and social position in relation to others, based on income, education, and occupation. People in the category of Low (SES) are more likely to have low income, little education and will have strong predictors of a range of physical and mental problems. 

Physical Ability: Is the ability to perform some physical act; contrasting with mental ability. It also incorporates physical fitness therefore is quite a large category. It has a huge impact on accessing outdoor experiences. Depending on a person’s physical ability, this will influence the range of outdoor experiences available to them. A person’s physical ability can range from low to high. It is impacted by factors such as level of fitness, physical disability, strength, obesity, etc. Physical ability refers to a person’s ability to perform some type of physical action. This can refer to general fitness, mobility difficulties, sight impairment etc. E.g you need strength to get up on a surfboard. 

Age: the length of time someone or something has lived for. It is generally accepted that as we age we will become weaker after hitting our suggested peak of fitness by the time we are 27. Thus, as we become older some outdoor experiences may be harder to access.

Gender- Gender refers to the range of physical, mental and behavioural characteristics that a society or culture use to distinguish males from females. In Australia it is considered normal for women and men to go bushwalking together or go the beach together, whereas in many other countries women have their own beaches. Dubai for example, where imprisonment will be enforced if males are found within the vicinity

Cultural background- Cultural background constitutes the ethnic, religious, racial, gender, linguistic or other socioeconomic factors and values that shape an individual’s upbringing. A cultural background can be shaped at the family, societal or organisational level. It can affect a persons access to outdoor experiences for example, Islamic culture where females cannot swim in front of males as it’s against their cultural norm