Mart Ottenheim

Mart Ottenheim serves as a lecturer at Leiden University of Applied Sciences' Teacher Training College and leads the Nature Development Child research group. His work bridges academic theory with practical nature-based education, positioning him at the forefront of environmental pedagogy in Dutch higher education.

His research centers on transformative nature experiences that reframe educational meaning. Key interests include Environmental Education, Urban Biodiversity Engagement, and Sustainability Pedagogy. Mart investigates how shared encounters with nature help teachers transcend routine instruction to cultivate purposeful teaching, while examining children's relationship with local ecosystems through the Leiden Biodiversity Network. His work proves that seasonal nature immersion builds professional identity and environmental stewardship.

Mart directs the Nature Development Child research group, which drives high-impact community initiatives like the 2025 Urban Nature Expedition. This month-long citywide species census transforms Leiden into a collaborative research zone, extending the group's mission to make biodiversity tangible for urban residents. The team's Outdoor Booster series provides practical frameworks for integrating natural cycles into daily educational practice.