Call for papers for special issue investigating the potential benefits of outdoor and adventure for human health and wellbeing to be published by the Journal of Adventure Education and Outdoor Learning

The last two decades have been witness to a plethora of research from multiple paradigms and a vast array of fields, such as public health, social work, sociology, ecology, geography, forestry, psychology, sport science and psychiatry suggesting that interactions with nature are fundamental to human. health and wellbeing. However, traditional theoretical notions typically used to interpret findings are being questioned (Brymer, Davids, & Mallabon, 2014; Karmanov & Hamel, 2008; Keniger, Gaston, Irvine, & Fuller, 2013; Kjellgren & Buhrkall, 2010; Yeh et al., 2016). Research is beginning to consider the importance of societal systems, individual differences, and the person-environment relationship (Brymer, Freeman & Richardson, 2019). Obesity, mental illness and substance abuse combined are the leading cause of non-fatal illness worldwide the leading cause of death. In 2014, over 50% of the world population were considered overweight or obese. In September 2015, the United Nations recognised mental health and wellbeing as priorities within the global development agenda. The acceptance of physical activity as an important intervention to counteract this trend is global. Formalised, sport and exercise has been promoted as ideal mechanisms for enhancing health related outcomes. However, this approach has serious limitations for enhancing health related behaviours of diverse populations mostly due to the narrow focus on traditional forms, norms and expectations. While increasing physical activity is paramount for so many health issues, traditional notions of sport and exercise may not be the only or even best answer to the global health crisis.