Outdoor learning benefits all students, but benefits girls more than boys and students of color more than white students

Nature-based education improves health-related quality of life and STEM capacity in low-income Black and Hispanic youth

Outdoor environments support language acquisition for multilingual learners, lowering barriers in low-pressure settings

The “equigenic effect”: nature access reduces health inequalities, with disadvantaged children benefiting most

Significantly milder ADHD symptoms in children who regularly play in green settings; a 20-minute park walk improves concentration as effectively as medication

Regular outdoor time reduces children's risk of developing myopia by up to 69%; natural sunlight exposure is key to healthy eye development

Green space access is associated with lower risk of childhood obesity and more physical activity

Biodiverse play environments strengthen children’s immune systems through soil microbiome exposure

Healthier cortisol rhythms and lower chronic stress in students attending regular outdoor classes

Green schoolyards reduce anxiety & build resilience; outdoor learning decreases depression

41% of California youth turn to time outdoors to manage stress and support their mental health

Students in a California outdoor science school program showed significant gains in self-esteem, conflict resolution, and cooperation, compared to peers who hadn't yet attended.

Feeling connected to nature is linked to a 25% reduction in psychological distress among adolescents, based on a survey of nearly 30,000 teens.

Converging cause-and-effect evidence links nature experiences to improved learning outcomes across subjects

Enhanced concentration and cognitive functioning after time spent outdoors

Schools with outdoor programs report better student behavioral and engagement

Of the 78% of California youth who report concern about climate change, nearly all (99%) have taken at least one pro-climate action in the past year

Outdoor environmental education leaves students more confident in science and more invested in the environment, a shift researchers measured after a single short-term program

Green schoolyards generate over $3 in value for every $1 invested through improved graduation rates and community health

Improved attendance; 1 green schoolyard saw attendance jump from 90% to 96%

Time outdoors improves teacher well-being, job satisfaction, and student performance, critical during California’s teacher shortage

Young people who spend more time outdoors show better mental health and cognitive function, and that time may offset some of the harm caused by excessive screen use.

Children in an in-person nature education program showed greater gains in self-confidence and self-efficacy than children in the same program held virtually.