A nature trail brings the classroom outdoors, offering students a unique opportunity to explore and connect with the natural world. Walking through the trail, students can learn about local plants, wildlife, and ecosystems while enjoying fresh air and physical activity. It’s a peaceful retreat that promotes environmental stewardship, encourages curiosity, and provides a space for both education and reflection. By creating a nature trail, you inspire a love for the outdoors and provide a serene setting for hands-on learning and personal growth.
This project pairs well with bikes, outdoor classrooms, a snowshoe club, wikuom, natural playground, or loose parts.
Trail design
Clearing land/trail building
Experiential learning in the natural environment
Forest "bathing"
Guiding other students, teaching building skills
Municipal Recreation
Community Centres
School Well-Being Funds
Local Outdoors Clubs
Projects cost varies depending on current infrastructure, tools and expertise available. Projects can be scaled to available funds.
Some school project costs have ranged from $5,000 to $40,000.
Building materials (lumber, nails, saws, etc.)
Hand tools (e.g., clippers, shovels, pulaskis, axes, rock bars, sledge hammers)
Stone or gravel if not naturally available
Take the Trail Punch Card Challenge! (See Case Study below.)
Central Colchester Junior High School, Kings County Academy, Port Maitland Consolidated Elementary School, Ecole Mosaique, Shelburne Regional High School and Weymouth Consolidated have completed projects involving trails. See case study below for a fun use case!