荒野、自然與永續性的概念，在許多文化中往往爲藝術傳統的重要部分。 視覺藝術與流行視覺文化更是傳播自然相關概念、故事與神話的關鍵媒介，引 發環保問題、生態與永續性的討論。藝術家、電影工作者、設計師與廣告商也 都附和著自然的信念與態度。我們對自然的論述深深影響了生態議題相關的保 育、復育、永續性等策略，以及藝術與藝術教育的實踐方式。本文試圖從藝術 史、流行視覺文化、當代藝術作品和藝術教育實踐中，回溯歷來有關自然的概 念。同時從常爲人忽略的精神層面，即所謂的聖地概念，來檢視是否可能建立 一套與生態相關的藝術教育，並開發以地方爲基礎的教學方法。以生態和師生 的生活環境爲重點的教學、學習與藝術創作，都可從自然的概念中擷取豐富的 題材。本文提倡在地生態藝術教育，重新審視在地環境和以師生爲中心的複雜 關係網絡。

Ideas about wilderness, nature, and sustainability are significant parts of artistic traditions in many cultures. The visual arts and popular visual culture are particularly influential in conveying ideas, stories, and myths about nature that animate discussions about environmental responsibility, ecology, and sustainability. Artists, filmmakers, designers, and advertisers echo beliefs and attitudes toward nature. The stories we tell ourselves about nature deeply influence approaches to preservation, restoration, sustainability and the practice of art and art education that is concerned with ecological issues. This article traces ideas about nature in a few selected art histories, in popular visual culture, in the work of contemporary artists, and in the practice of art education. The possibilities of an ecologically based art education rooted in place-based pedagogy is examined with the often overlooked spiritual dimension, described here as sacred places. Ideas about nature create rich contexts for teaching, learning, and art-making that focus on ecology and the places students and teachers inhabit. This article argues for ecological art education rooted in place-based pedagogy that focus on the local environment and a complex web of relationships that surround teachers and students.