California Outdoor Learning Coalition & Campaign

ABOUT

Coalition

Our Vision for Outdoor Learning

Every student in California has regular access to outdoor learning experiences that inspire curiosity, deepen connections to the natural world, and improve health, learning and personal growth. When outdoor learning is a regular part of the school day, students learn to solve real-world challenges, improve their lives and communities, and benefit from healthier, more equitable learning environments.

Purpose of the Coalition

We will significantly increase outdoor learning during the school day, starting with students most impacted by systemic injustice and disinvestment. We unite educators, policymakers, health professionals, and community partners to advance policies and secure funding to make outdoor learning a powerful tool for academic achievement, student well-being, and environmental literacy. Our coalition formed because we believe there is a need for a statewide Campaign for Outdoor Learning.

Coalition Background

This coalition is forming in response to the growing crises in student health, academic performance, and social-emotional well-being. The idea for a campaign emerged from the evidence that outdoor learning offers a proven solution to these challenges, helping students to reconnect with nature, improve focus, heal their mind and body, and thrive academically. In fall 2023, we interviewed 30+ leaders to explore the need and potential impact of a Campaign for Outdoor Learning.

Learn more here

Photo Credit: Heather Taylor, Outside School

Photo Credit: pexels.com

What it Means to Be a Coalition Member

Coalition membership means:

Affirming alignment with the Campaign’s vision to expand outdoor learning in California.
Showcasing support by adding your voice, name, and/or logo to Campaign materials and calls to action.
Staying connected through updates, resource-sharing, and invitations to engage.
Contributing, when possible—through work groups, staff time, fundraising collaboration, or advisory roles.

Benefits include having a strategic voice in shaping California’s outdoor learning vision, opportunities to showcase your work statewide, connections across sectors, and early access to relevant policies and funding.

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Coalition Equity Approach

Our campaign is rooted in the principle of designing at the margins, ensuring that all children have access to outdoor learning by starting with students who have been most negatively impacted by the pandemic, climate change, and social and economic inequity:

Students of color
English language learners
Unhoused youth
Foster youth

By centering inclusion and justice in campaign design and implementation, we work to remove systemic obstacles, create inclusive outdoor spaces, and support programs that foster belonging, curiosity, and connection to the natural world.

Photo Credit: pexels.com

Campaign

The Campaign is why the coalition was formed, and is the coalition's first project.

Campaign Goal

Advance sustainable statewide policy and secure funding to ensure that students spend 20-25% of their school time learning, playing, socializing, and exercising outdoors through four key areas:

Green schoolyards
Walking field trips to nearby parks and open spaces
Field trips that require transportation
Weeklong overnight outdoor science schools

Photo Credit: pexels.com

Campaign Strategies

Leading Edge Exemplars

We will identify and amplify existing "proof of concept" outdoor learning programs, especially in marginalized communities, to showcase replicable models and best practices.

Policy and Advocacy

We will build champions among policymakers and develop strategies to scale outdoor learning statewide, informed by exemplars and research, and supported by strategic communications.

Communications

We will create compelling multimedia content that highlights outdoor learning as essential, drawing from exemplars and research to support policy efforts.

Evaluation and Research

We will elevate existing research, gather baseline data, and conduct studies on health, learning, and community impact to track who benefits from outdoor learning.

Learn more here

Campaign Timeline

Timeline Details

Phase 0: Investigation

July - June 2023: Exploration

Conducted 30+ exploratory meetings across education, health, outdoor learning, language acquisition, and policy sectors
Identified key leaders and scoped coalition structure

Phase 1: Foundation Building

Jan — June 2024: Concept Development

Raised seed funding and launched the Campaign concept
Published Campaign call to action

July – Sept 2024: Fundraising & Planning

Articulated proposed mission, goals, and governance outline
Continued outreach to funders and exemplars

Sept 2024 – June 2025: Launch & Engage

Hosted 3 statewide convenings and shared reports:
- Broad Kickoff (Sept 2024, 42 attendees) – article and summary report
- Research & Evaluation Convening (April 2025, 35 attendees) – article and summary report
- Leading Edge Exemplar Convening with an ELOP focus (May 2025, 30 attendees) — overview and detailed outline
Launched caoutdoorlearning.org and published storytelling content
Drafted early policy strategy and initiated early agency and legislative meetings

Phase 2: Policy Influence

July – Dec 2025: Build Visibility & Relationships

Share key messages and stories at conferences
Meet with legislators, agencies, and candidates
Submit white papers and campaign proposals to decision-makers

Jan – June 2026: Shape Policy & Pilot Solutions

Explore the creation of a legislative outdoor learning task force
Launch communities of practice for research, leading edge exemplars
Identify opportunities to align existing education funds with outdoor learning

July – Dec 2026: Secure Long-Term Support

Host Sacramento Advocacy Day and a statewide coalition gathering
Launch formal coalition workgroups
Align with new administration priorities and finalize 2027 policy/budget proposal

The Need for Outdoor Learning

ISSUE: Limited Access to Outdoor Learning

California students face growing academic, mental health, and physical health challenges, exacerbated by climate change, racial inequities, screen culture, and the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Many students—particularly students of color, English language learners, unhoused youth, and foster youth—lack access to outdoor learning experiences that support their well-being, engagement, and academic success.

Research shows that time spent learning outdoors improves focus, reduces ADHD, hypertension, anxiety and depression, fosters a sense of belonging, and enhances academic achievement. Despite the evidence, a lack of funding, awareness, and systemic support prevents many schools from integrating outdoor learning into the educational experience.

SOLUTION: Invest in Outdoor Learning for All

A statewide investment in outdoor learning will ensure that every California TK–12 student has regular, enriching outdoor experiences, beginning with those who have historically been excluded. By supporting green schoolyards, walking field trips to nearby parks and open spaces, field trips that require transportation, and weeklong overnight outdoor science schools, we can provide equitable opportunities for students to learn and thrive outdoors.

Outdoor learning is a cost-effective and scalable solution that improves health, well-being, and academic outcomes while fostering environmental literacy and justice. Through dedicated funding, policy support, and cross-sector collaboration, we can make outdoor learning an essential part of every child’s education.

Photo Credit: Heather Taylor, Outside School

Photo Credit: Sonia Myers

Thank You to Our Funders

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