Connecting Students with Nature
Table of Contents
Disabilities & Access
Hearing-Impairment
Hearing impairments can be very isolating for students, meaning they can miss out on valuable information, get left out of socializing, and get left behind in educational situations. Very simple changes can profoundly improve their learning experiences.
Hearing Loss Factsheet A quick guide for teachers to both recognize signs of hearing loss, and how to accommodate deaf or hard-of-hearing students.
Student Mobility
Students with mobility issues or other disabilities may benefit from the freedom and stability provided by a trike.
Grants for Trikes and Bikes can help students who struggle with mobility to more easily explore the world with their peers.
Also consider checking out our Disability & Cycling page which offers links to organizations around the world, grants, and more than can help children and young adults access trikes, bikes, and related equipment which can give them independence or help guardians bring these individuals along on outdoor adventures.
Visual Impairment
People with visual impairment or who are entirely blind can still benefit greatly from out door experiences. Some simple changes in lighting or font size may be enough to accommodate them, but it is always best to ask what helps, as each person's visual experience can be very different from another's. Impairment levels can change with lighting quality (dim or dark may have little or extreme impact on certain vision problems), and vision loss can be progressive.
Locations & Programs
It's always a good idea to check around with your local conservation groups (we've listed many on the rewilding pages of this site, both on the general Rewilding page, but also on sub pages, focusing on specific biomes). Your local wildlife and farm animal sanctuaries (some of whom overlap in the species they care for) will also be willing to send educational materials, a speaker, or even have your students visit for tours and in certain cases, some hands-on experience.
The organizations and programs listed in this section have been curated while researching organizations making a positive impact for different eco systems.
International
Ecosystem Restoration Camps " are repairing the earth. We are bringing everyday people together, to restore degraded ecosystems from the ground up." This program is building camps all over the world to give environmentalists with decades of experience the opportunity to train the next generation of activists. Each camps also functions as a living lab with the intention of creating replicable models that can be used elsewhere and scaled up or adjusted as needed. Click any of the links and scroll down to see the camp locations around the world, or register to build your own camp!
Children & Nature Network: Resources "This collection of free toolkits, reports, infographics and advocacy tools is designed to help you or your organization connect children, families and communities to nature. Please check back often. We add and update resources regularly!"
For Tribal & Under-Represented Communities
Reef Check: Dive into Science Program "Youth and young adults from under-represented or tribal communities often do not have access to the ocean environment, let alone ways or opportunities to experience the ocean. While they may have an interest in marine science and the desire to explore the ocean, they often lack experience and/or training that would allow them to successfully pursue a career in marine science, or other natural sciences for that matter. This lack of access and experience creates a disadvantage when it comes to their future educational or career choices.
Extracurricular activities, training and volunteerism are now widely required for a competitive college application. Dive into Science will provide the skills and experiences necessary to create a pathway to college and careers for under-resourced youth who have a passion for conservation and the ocean."
Africa
Botswana
Children in the Wilderness (CITW): Botswana "is an independent non-profit organization established and supported by Wilderness Safaris. CITW hosts rural children that live alongside Wilderness Safaris and other partner concessions, and through their Eco-Clubs, YES Programme and Eco-Mentor training, teaches them the importance of conservation. The children are exposed to their wildlife heritage, building and strengthening their capabilities to cope with life’s challenges. They are educated with the life skills necessary to actualize their greatest potential, so that they are equipped to become the future custodians of these pristine wilderness areas."
Malawi
Children in the Wilderness (CITW): Malawi "is an independent non-profit organization established and supported by Wilderness Safaris. CITW hosts rural children that live alongside Wilderness Safaris and other partner concessions, and through their Eco-Clubs, YES Programme and Eco-Mentor training, teaches them the importance of conservation. The children are exposed to their wildlife heritage, building and strengthening their capabilities to cope with life’s challenges. They are educated with the life skills necessary to actualize their greatest potential, so that they are equipped to become the future custodians of these pristine wilderness areas."
Namibia
Children in the Wilderness (CITW): Namibia "is an independent non-profit organization established and supported by Wilderness Safaris. CITW hosts rural children that live alongside Wilderness Safaris and other partner concessions, and through their Eco-Clubs, YES Programme and Eco-Mentor training, teaches them the importance of conservation. The children are exposed to their wildlife heritage, building and strengthening their capabilities to cope with life’s challenges. They are educated with the life skills necessary to actualize their greatest potential, so that they are equipped to become the future custodians of these pristine wilderness areas."
Rwanda
Children in the Wilderness (CITW): Rwanda "is an independent non-profit organization established and supported by Wilderness Safaris. CITW hosts rural children that live alongside Wilderness Safaris and other partner concessions, and through their Eco-Clubs, YES Programme and Eco-Mentor training, teaches them the importance of conservation. The children are exposed to their wildlife heritage, building and strengthening their capabilities to cope with life’s challenges. They are educated with the life skills necessary to actualize their greatest potential, so that they are equipped to become the future custodians of these pristine wilderness areas."
South Africa
Children in the Wilderness (CITW): South Africa "is an independent non-profit organization established and supported by Wilderness Safaris. CITW hosts rural children that live alongside Wilderness Safaris and other partner concessions, and through their Eco-Clubs, YES Programme and Eco-Mentor training, teaches them the importance of conservation. The children are exposed to their wildlife heritage, building and strengthening their capabilities to cope with life’s challenges. They are educated with the life skills necessary to actualize their greatest potential, so that they are equipped to become the future custodians of these pristine wilderness areas."
Zambia
Children in the Wilderness (CITW): Zambia "is an independent non-profit organization established and supported by Wilderness Safaris. CITW hosts rural children that live alongside Wilderness Safaris and other partner concessions, and through their Eco-Clubs, YES Programme and Eco-Mentor training, teaches them the importance of conservation. The children are exposed to their wildlife heritage, building and strengthening their capabilities to cope with life’s challenges. They are educated with the life skills necessary to actualize their greatest potential, so that they are equipped to become the future custodians of these pristine wilderness areas."
Zimbabwe
Children in the Wilderness (CITW): Zimbabwe "is an independent non-profit organization established and supported by Wilderness Safaris. CITW hosts rural children that live alongside Wilderness Safaris and other partner concessions, and through their Eco-Clubs, YES Programme and Eco-Mentor training, teaches them the importance of conservation. The children are exposed to their wildlife heritage, building and strengthening their capabilities to cope with life’s challenges. They are educated with the life skills necessary to actualize their greatest potential, so that they are equipped to become the future custodians of these pristine wilderness areas."
Asia
Hong Kong
Ridge to Reef Environment Education Programme (R2R) "aims to enhance the environmental literacy of Hong Kong’s youth, with the use of The Nature Conservancy (TNC’s) LEARN-ACT-LEAD model, to promote the Ridge to Reef holistic conservation approach - what happens on land affects what happens in the water.
Student internship plays an important role in the LEAD component because interns can serve as ambassadors to promote the Ridge to Reef concept to their peers with student-initiated projects. From 2019 to 2021, TNC worked with eighteen students to provide training and guidance on project development, implementation, and evaluation. The students worked on a total of ten projects."
North America
Cornell Lab of Ornithology: Connect Kids to Nature includes guide books, videos, and more.
Bahamas
The Island School: A Gap-year Environmental Exploration "The Bahamas Environmental Steward Scholars (BESS) program is a unique opportunity for graduating students in The Bahamas ages 15 – 18 who have a keen interest in the environment and want to learn more as they transition from high school to university studies."
Canada
Resources Includes, games, word searches, scavenger hunts, quizzes, crafts, encyclopedias, facts sheets, research papers, DIY projects, and more - Canada Wildlife Federation
USA
LEAP (Leaders for Ethics, Animals, and the Planet) "is a revolutionary humane education program providing high school students across the nation with a compassionate alternative to traditional agriculture programs like 4H and FFA. A comprehensive four-year program taught by participating farm animal sanctuaries, LEAP combines interactive curriculum modules with hands-on learning activities, leadership training, and real-world skill development. LEAP aims to prepare the next generation of changemakers to tackle the challenges of animal cruelty, climate change, food deserts, and habitat loss, and encourages them to devise solutions for a more compassionate, sustainable food system."
If this isn't available in your area, you may be able to find similar programs via your local Farm Animal Sanctuary, which often house other types of animals including wildlife, and rescued exotic species.
Delaware
Inland Bays: “Hands On, Waders On” Environmental Education "The Center is redefining the classroom by turning forests, beaches, and salt marshes into resources for students to learn and develop a life-long love for Delaware’s Inland Bays. From school programs to summer camps, our outdoor exploration programs are fun, informative, and memorable. Let our outdoor education team help your students get outside and learn!" This organization offers educational programs and resources for children and adults.
Hawaii
Ke Kumu ‘Āina "provides K-12 students and teachers the opportunity to learn and teach from their own ‘āina. In this way, ‘āina provides a more valuable context for learning, and community members serve as resources and partners in the process.
Ke Kumu ‘Āina is an environmental education program designed to Hawaii Department of Education standards and Nā Hopena A‘o (HĀ) outcomes. By basing the learning in ‘āina, Ke Kumu ‘Āina creates more optimal conditions for strengthening the six outcomes of HĀ (BREATH) in every student over the course of their K-12 journey."
Iowa
Tall Grass Prairie Center: Educator Resources "The links below have been created by the staff of the Tallgrass Prairie Center and Green Iowa AmeriCorps members over the years and provide a range of information, lessons, activities, and other resources for the formal and informal educator. The aim of this page is to assist teachers of all varieties with options and ideas to connect youth to the outdoors and our lost and limited landscape of Iowa tallgrass prairie."
Missouri
Missouri Prairie Foundation: Outreach & Education "organizes many hikes, field tours, bird watching trips, campouts, work days, and other events throughout the year to connect more people to their prairie legacy. At our annual Prairie BioBlitz, for example, prairie enthusiasts team up with biologists at a given prairie to document as many plants and animals during a weekend."
South Carolina
From Seeds to Shoreline® (S2S) "is South Carolina’s only salt marsh restoration program designed for K – 12 students and teachers. This year-long program engages participating schools with cultivating and transplanting Spartina alterniflora (smooth cord grass) to designated areas along the state’s coastline."
Oceana
Australia
ACT
Australian National Botanical Gardens: Pond-Dipping learn about "aquatic ecosystems and indicator species"
School Yards
Food Gardens
Victory or Resilience Gardens are a great way to get kids outside while connecting them with their food. Help kids learn about traditional, local foods, traditional practices that were developed to meet the needs of your local climate, for example Waffle Gardens make more sense in hot, arid regions, where European-style raised rows can be totally inappropriate and lead to harvest failure.
Sensory Gardens
These gardens are specifically designed to stimulate multiple senses, and can be particularly appropriate for students with mental, intellectual, or physical disabilities.
Sensory gardens can be any shape or size, with a focus on plant species which can be safely tasted, touched, and smelled, as well as viewed. Elements can also include sound with the use of chimes, water features (a shallow fountain over a basin of pebbles, or small pond with a metal grate can help prevent drowning).
Wildlife & Pollinator Gardens
These can be a great way to introduce students to local pollinators and other species.
Consider providing food, water, and shelter. Setting up camera traps can help students understand which wild neighbors live in the area, and visit their garden at night or other times when students are away.
Click the Gardening/Landscaping button to learn about the many types of garden and features that can be mixed and matched to create food gardens, sensory gardens, wildlife and pollinator gardens. Xeriscaping can bring nature to your school even if water is scarce. Each section has more resources than we felt could be fit on this page, though these will eventually be broken into smaller pages.
BioBlitz
These are generally one-day events, though they may last for only a short period such as an hour or over several days. They are a great way to get adults and children both out in nature and involved with science.
Grants
International
For Tribal & Under-Represented Communities
Reef Check Scholarship Fund 🐟 "Reef Check is offering scholarships to qualified applicants from diverse backgrounds. The goal of our Scholarship Fund is to increase diversity in science and provide opportunities for participation in Reef Check programs without financial barriers. It aligns with our pursuit of Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (JEDI) in all that we do. Scholarships will cover the cost of a Reef Check Training or participation in Reef Check’s Dive into Science program. We also offer volunteers opportunities to utilize the skills acquired from these courses and put them into action to contribute to Reef Check’s mission to save our reefs.
Reef Check Training Scholarships are for certified SCUBA divers to participate in a Reef Check training to become a certified Reef Check Citizen Scientist.
Reef Check’s Dive into Science Scholarships are for individuals who are not yet SCUBA certified and will provide SCUBA training and subsequent diving experience, culminating in a Reef Check Citizen Scientist certification."
North America
Mexico
Community Seed Grants (CSG) 🌱 "are available once every year for school gardens and community organizations with regional and cultural connection to the NS/S seed collection. They are offered to garden projects working toward collective food security, seed sovereignty, traditional knowledge, education, and other efforts of community wellness. We do not require CSG recipients to save and return seeds, but encourage those who are able to do so, to provide seeds for their community.
Our region of focus is the Southwest, which generally includes: Arizona, New Mexico, southern Utah, southern Colorado, western Oklahoma, western Texas, southern California, southern Nevada, and northwest Mexico. Native communities in arid places outside of this region may also apply.
We strive to support projects in Mexico. Due to mailing restrictions it is best if you have someone in the US who can receive and bring the seeds to Mexico.
USA
Community Seed Grants (CSG) 🌱 "are available once every year for school gardens and community organizations with regional and cultural connection to the NS/S seed collection. They are offered to garden projects working toward collective food security, seed sovereignty, traditional knowledge, education, and other efforts of community wellness. We do not require CSG recipients to save and return seeds, but encourage those who are able to do so, to provide seeds for their community.
Our region of focus is the Southwest, which generally includes: Arizona, New Mexico, southern Utah, southern Colorado, western Oklahoma, western Texas, southern California, southern Nevada, and northwest Mexico. Native communities in arid places outside of this region may also apply.
We strive to support projects in Mexico. Due to mailing restrictions it is best if you have someone in the US who can receive and bring the seeds to Mexico.
Minnesota
MWMO: Community Grants 🌊 "are available for short-term or small-scale water quality projects. The grant amount may not exceed $5,000. No matching funds are required."
Texas
Monarch Garden Grants 🦋 "The Native Plant Society of Texas awards small grants to nature centers, schools, educational groups and others to help fund development of Monarch demonstration gardens or Monarch Waystations using native plants on public sites in Texas. The purpose of this program is to educate members, applicants, and the public about Monarch conservation and native plants, and to encourage restoration of Monarch habitats throughout the Texas migration flyway."
Wisconsin
Go Outside Fund "provides funding that helps connect youth to outdoor, nature-based learning experiences. Teachers or partner organizations may apply for funding to cover costs that facilitate getting kids outside and hands-on with nature, such as purchasing field supplies, or paying for transportation, substitute teachers, or educator costs. Grants between $100 and $500 are available."