The state of art of nature-based programs in the educational, training, therapeutic, and leisure areas in Italy: conceptual framework and possible categorization of sectors/contexts

Abstract

National and international literature on nature-based programs in the educational, training, therapeutic and leisure areas reveals a lack of homogeneity in using the different terminologies: the various terms are used with different meanings, both by practitioners and by scholars. The present work is the conceptual premise of a research which outlined a quantitative and qualitative mapping of the Italian organizations that use nature-based approaches and methodologies. This paper provides both a literature review of the theoretical roots which support nature-based experiences, and a reconnaissance of the national situation regarding the use of terminology and the differentiation in the various specific practical fields. In order to properly introduce the mapping research, this work proposes a conceptual organization defining four macro-areas of the nature-based sector. This categorization, which is organized around some indicators, aims to be flexible and to have permeable borders; and it has the goal to help orienting in the complex framework of the numerous nature-based proposals in Italy.