ENVIRONMENT Secretary Elizabeth Truss has launched a national education programme at an outdoor learning centre near Petersfield.
The Plan for National Parks focuses on giving children the chance to visit a national park at every stage of their education.
Unveiling the proposals at Butser Ancient Farm at Chalton, and in front of Herne Junior School pupils there on a visit, she said: “Too many children are not aware of these natural wonders.
“Instilling a love of nature in young people will allow these unique spaces to flourish for generations to come.”
The plan also aims to increase park visitor numbers, and promote them globally.
It is hoped that more than 100 million visitors can be attracted annually, adding £440m to the £4bn already generated by national parks.
As well as work already underway to give schools native British trees to plant, national parks will be central in a government campaign to connect children with nature and the environment.
The plan also aims to improve wellbeing, after research revealed that outdoor activities helps reduce anxiety, stress and depression, and aids people with mental illness.
South Downs National Park Authority chairman Margaret Paren said: “There are more than 800 schools in Sussex and Hampshire and we are supporting teachers to use the landscapes and past and current thriving communities of the South Downs National Park to inspire and help 74,000 pupils across the entire curriculum to reconnect with nature.”