So the government has pledged some money to create more adventure playgrounds for our young people and has been accused of making a U-turn in doing so.
Given that the health and safety issues surrounding school trips and outside play often make such experiences seem like more trouble than they're worth for our teachers and youth workers you can see this point might have some legs. But many of us finally woken up to the fact that a few scratches and bruises are all part of the growing up process - we must celebrate and not deny this.
Hopefully they will soon take another step in the right direction in making sure that all children automatically have access to these sorts of outdoor learning opportunities. Many school children will have these adventure playgrounds on their doorsteps and enjoy regular trips but there are still many schoolchildren who don't have access to outdoor learning and are worse off for it.
There is no better way to learn about the environment and the role we play in protecting it than getting outside and experiencing it for ourselves. There are plenty of opportunities for young people to do this, not least the RSPB's own network of nature reserves all around the UK.
Adventure playgrounds are great for swinging, climbing and balancing and the natural world offers the chance to get your hands dirty digging, discovering, and protecting. A balance of all of these things make for a happier, healthier child and a gives nature a fighting chance in creating budding Attenborough's of the next generation.