Dr. Amanda Lloyd is an educator with extensive experience in outdoor learning, teaching, and adventure. She has received numerous awards and scholarships recognising her contributions to place-based environmental education. Her career spans roles as an educator, consultant, professional development facilitator, and advocate. She has built many cubby houses and hunted for bugs in all manner of environments. Amanda completed a PhD exploring the benefits of outdoor learning for primary school students and has widely published and presented on the topic. She now applies her expertise as the Nature Play Development Manager for Greater Sydney Parklands. Deeply connected to place, Amanda acknowledges the First Nations people and cultures who have cared for the lands we cherish today. She is passionate about the role of play in fostering curiosity, resilience, and a lifelong connection to nature. Ensuring this connection continues for future generations is central to her philosophy. At the moment her professional and personal lives are in running in tandem. Whether at the beach, bushwalking, bike riding, or on multi-day adventures, she embraces outdoor experiences with her four-year-old, immersed in nature play—and often a bit of mud.