Nature Play SA

In many growing cities around the world, development often begins with clearing land first and asking questions later. But projects like this show a different possibility: infrastructure and nature do not always have to compete. Instead of removing mature trees for convenience, planners and engineers designed around them — preserving shade, biodiversity, urban cooling, and the character of the landscape while still improving connectivity. As urban designers & planners, Architects and Engineers continue shaping future cities, this raises an important question: Are we designing cities only for vehicles and construction speed… or also for people, climate resilience, and long-term livability? In places like Adelaide and many other rapidly growing urban regions, balancing development with environmental preservation will become increasingly important in the coming decades. Smart cities are not only defined by taller buildings or wider roads. They are defined by thoughtful decisions. Because sustainable urban development is not about stopping growth — it’s about designing growth responsibly. 🌿 Save this reel if you believe cities can grow without losing their natural identity. 📲 Follow @upds.au for urban planning, development & global city insights. #UrbanPlanning #SustainableCities #CityPlanning #UrbanDesign #LandscapeArchitecture SmartCities Adelaide Australia GreenInfrastructure ClimateResilientCities UrbanDevelopment CityDesign SustainableDevelopment NatureAndCities UrbanForestry FutureCities Infrastructure EnvironmentalPlanning

In April, on a much sunnier day than today, I headed to the beach. I had a ball of clay and a piece of cloth. I shared the beach with a mother and her 2 children as they played in the shallows of the beautiful Coffin Bay coast. I set about finding a rock. My aim was to form a piece of pottery using the rocks as a mould to create its shape. Looking like a strange wanderer I walked up and down the beach with my clay in hand until I found my preferred rock. I placed the clay in and carefully pressed the clay into the cradle of nature. I set about gathering pieces of seaweed, shells and pebbles to impress into the clay, which was so therapeutic and satisfying. As I allowed the sun to set the shape I enjoyed a conversation with a beautiful mother. Intently enjoying the outdoors with her young children, spending time and creating memories. I thought of my time with my own children Bryce and Poppy at the same beach, climbing the same rocks, happily digging in the sand and enjoying the water and sun. The clay was ready to take back to my studio. I had a spare hand to help the mother carry her beach items up the rocks as she tended to her active children. The plate has now been fired in the kiln, glazed and fired again. It is simple in design but is deep in meaning, place and memory. I have taken the time to speak with some likeminded local artists and makers lately, what they have to say is much about creative discovery, authenticity and truth. Art in any form is not to underestimated. The process artists invest in is often vulnerable, giving a glimpse into their heart, soul and creativity. #eyrepeninsulaartist #artandpotterygallery #pottery #inspiredbynature #art

At Cleland, we believe it’s Earth Day every day. Every day is an opportunity to connect with your local environment, to learn, and to encourage conservation in meaningful ways. Real progress toward a healthier planet happens when we make informed decisions, big and small. Our team is passionate about supporting education and building knowledge around conservation. Because once you’re equipped with understanding, you’re empowered to make choices that positively impact the world around you. Let’s keep learning, keep engaging, and keep protecting our planet…….today and every day. #ourpowerourplanet #earthday2026 @clelandwildlifepark #clelandwildlifepark

Happy Earth Day! 🌏 We got these two beautiful board books for our children on their birthday. They truly love these two books from this Peek-through Nature series. Written in a rhyming text with gorgeous illustrations and brilliantly designed die-cut pages, the books take our children on an insightful journey as they wander through nature and discover the beauty of our Earth. In the Home book, our children get to follow a little bear on a walk to discover different animal homes till he’s back in his own home in a forest cave. Our children’s favourite line: “Wherever we may choose to roam, we need a place to call our home”. In the Tree book, our children get to follow the beautiful life cycle of a tree in a forest through different seasons and discover all the different animals that call this tree and the forest home, including our youngest’s favourite, the owl. Drawing inspiration from the Tree book, our children collected colourful fallen leaves from our garden and neighbourhood park to create their own tree which they named “Our Autumn Tree”. 🍁 We love watching our children discover something new every time we read these two books with them and hope that over time, they’ll learn to love and take care of our home, our beautiful Earth 🌏

Happy International Children’s Book Day! ☺️ We received this beautiful board book from a dear friend. Our children absolutely love this book. The story is so beautifully written and illustrated. It begins when Nora feels bored and her grandma suggests to Nora to play in the garden as her grandma had seen a tiger there earlier. This leads to our children joining Nora on a wonderful adventure as they explore the garden with Nora’s incredible imagination to meet the tiger. Our children’s favourite line: “Whenever you want me, I’ll be here”. We love reading this book with our children but what makes it so special for us is that it was first read to them by their grandma! Drawing inspiration from this book, when our children appear to be bored, we would sometimes hide their toy tiger in our garden and tell them “There’s a tiger in the garden!” as we watch them go on their own playful, imaginative adventure to meet their tiger. This beloved book truly aligns with the theme “Plant stories and the world will bloom!” for International Children’s Book Day this year. #ICBD2026

Expressing my deepest gratitude for an amazing nature connection week with the most caring and loving humans 💚 Thank you, thank you, thank you to everyone who crossed my path this week Forest Festival @natureplaysa Every soul at the @goodnessmefestival @brooke_nurture_nature Global Summit of Science, Nature and Health where researchers and experts worked together sharing their knowledge and how nature is so beneficial in today’s world @foresttherapy.hub Thank you @a_spiritualjourney for hosting a very special forest bathing with me . . . @sarahfrustietherapy #ecotherapy #natureconnection #earth #natureisamazing #ecopsychology

We discovered this sweet board book at our nature playgroup and our children absolutely loved it, so we were delighted to borrow this copy from our local library to read at home together. It’s a story told so tenderly about three baby owls, Sarah, Percy, and Bill, who live with their Owl Mother. One night, they realise that their mother had gone, so they stick together to comfort and reassure one another until she comes home. Sarah, Percy, and Bill have distinct personalities and each of them deal with their fear and separation anxiety differently. Our children’s favourite baby owl is the adorable youngest, Bill. We also love the stunning illustrations for this gentle story. The high-contrast artwork detailing the owls and their cosy treetop home against the night background is exceptional. Our youngest is obsessed with owls, so needless to say, we had to read this beautiful book with our children over and over again, which was a pleasure ☺️

@natureplaysa has the most beautiful nature event for families. Here’s some snaps from their Forest Festival.

Nature Play SA always puts on something pretty special for school holidays - and this one is pure Adelaide Hills magic. 🌿 Their much-loved forest festival is back in Kuitpo Forest this Wednesday 15 and Thursday 16 April, with a full day of nature play, creativity, live entertainment and family fun in the great outdoors. It’s five hours of immersive experiences designed to help children and their families connect, discover and truly engage with nature. Even better - it’s happening just down the road from Newenham. Tickets are on sale now here: .au/np-events/2026-forest-festival

What a lovely way of finishing Term 1 of Kindy! We loved having Nature Play Sa visit us for a Mini Festival. It had mud, creativity, teamwork and lots of smiles! @natureplaysa 🍃

Ants sensing a change in atmosphere pressure.

🌿 We’re so excited to be bringing Kids Forest Yoga back next week! For the fourth year in a row, Genyogi will be part of NaturePlay SA’s annual Forest Fest, guiding little yogis through magical 20-minute yoga sessions in the forest! After all the beautiful rain we’ve had, the forest is looking lush and alive — and the weather forecast is looking perfect. ✨ If you’re heading to Forest Fest, come find us and join a 20-minute Forest Yoga session surrounded by nature. 🎟 Tickets are on sale now and almost sold out, so grab yours while you can! We can’t wait to see families moving, breathing, and playing together in the forest again. 🌿💚 #ForestFest #NaturePlaySA #KidsYoga #ForestYoga #OutdoorYoga Genyogi NaturePlay KidsWellbeing MindfulKids