Embedded Files
Established in 1994, Aldo Leopold Nature Center's mission is to nurture children, their well-being, and environmental sustainability through connecting and learning in nature.
Located in Monona, Aldo Leopold Nature Center works to engage, educate, and empower students through programming and services designed primarily for school-age children, ages 2-14. We reach these students, and others, through their teachers and families, our community partners, donors, and volunteers, through School Field Trips, Summer Camps, Wonder Bugs and Baby Bugs (child-caregiver programs), Homeschool Programs, After School Programs, Vacation Day Programs, Scout Programs, Public Programs, and Aldo Leopold Nature Preschool.
Contact: Cara Erickson, Director of Marketing & Communications
Empowering Girls Scouts in the Outdoors
Badgerland is your partner and guide to all things Girl Scouting in south-central and southwest Wisconsin. Badgerland serves 22 counties in Wisconsin as well as Houston County in Minnesota and Allamakee County in Iowa. We are a team of local staff ready to help girls and volunteers earn that next badge, embark on a camping adventure, or organize an impactful service project. That’s what a Girl Scout council is. We are here to maintain camp properties, provide local Girl Scouts skill-building workshops and resources to achieve whatever they can dream up.
Contact: Jessica Cady-Bartholomew, Director of Community Engagement
Couillard Solar Foundation funds the Solar on Schools program and helps educate and provide assistance in getting solar installed at WI schools.
The Couillard Solar Foundation provides education resources about schools going solar, both from the perspective of students leading a solar project and school staff leading a solar project and how onsite solar aides curriculum delivery. We love visitors and have a formal Solar Tour in Deerfield WI with eight research/development sites, as well as hosting monthly events, Solar Series, April-Nov open to the public. We fund the Solar on Schools grant program which can provide half the panels (up to 50 kW) for a school's solar project, the program is administered by MREA.
Contact: Elise Couillard, Treasurer
Green & Healthy Schools Wisconsin
Green & Healthy Schools Wisconsin
Green & Healthy Schools connects, cultivates, and celebrates schools working toward three goals aligned with U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools.
Green & Healthy Schools Wisconsin is a movement of schools, community partners, and state agencies working together to catalyze a culture of sustainability and wellness in all Wisconsin schools. Led by the Wisconsin Departments of Public Instruction and Natural Resources, partners work together to realize their shared goals.
Contact: Xia Lowery, Green & Healthy Schools Coordinator
Hirsch Group Architecture
Hirsch Group Architecture
Tom Hirsch, FAIA, is a Wisconsin-registered architect and is the designer of outdoor classroom structures at Lake View Elementary School (Pazillion), John Muir Elementary School, and Wingra School. He offers design services and construction observations for getting an outdoor classroom done!
Contact: Tom Hirsch, FAIA, Principal
Ice Age Trail Alliance
Ice Age Trail Alliance
The Ice Age Trail Alliance strives to connect youth with the Ice Age Trail because we believe strongly in sharing nature with tomorrow’s leaders through hands-on experiences.
The Ice Age National Scenic Trail is an educational trail by nature. Its multitude of biomes, created by the receding glaciers, are natural classrooms all throughout Wisconsin. The Ice Age Trail sparks wonder and awe as it takes students past world-renowned glacial features and provides a lifetime of learning.
Contact: Amy Lord, Outreach and Education Manager
KEEP - WI K-12 Energy Education Program
KEEP - WI K-12 Energy Education Program
Visit KEEP's table to discover the many free and local energy education resources we provide: lessons, hands-on teaching tools, PD, and more.
Hi! Drop by our table and say hello. KEEP staff would love to meet you and support sustainability efforts in your school. With a mission of communities making informed energy decisions now and for a sustainable future, KEEP provides a range of resources for formal and non-formal educators. KEEP’s resources include: lessons (many already in Google format), hands-on teaching tools that will be on hand for you to try out, youth engagement opportunities (including Green Team Mini-Grants), career exploration resources, professional development, and consultation. KEEP is supported by MG&E and other energy utilities so most of our services are free or very low cost. We look forward to meeting you.
Contact: Samara Hamze, Outreach Program Manager
LEAF - WI K-12 Forestry Education Program
LEAF - WI K-12 Forestry Education Program
LEAF is Enriching Students, Sustaining Forests as WI K-12 Forestry Education Program.
LEAF’s mission is to facilitate learning in and about Wisconsin’s forests -- including urban forests -- through professional development, site consultation, and comprehensive curriculum resources offered statewide. LEAF's K-12 curriculum is available free online, and loanable educational resource kits are shipped free to formal and nonformal educators.
Contact: Jonathan Ismail, Outreach Specialist
Explore ways to get outdoors this school year at park near you!
The Lussier Family Heritage Center provides outdoor and environmental education experiences for persons of all ages and ability levels. We strive to connect all people with the outdoors as parks and open-spaces are vital to mental and physical well-being.
Contact: Angela Rivera. Education Coordinator
Contact: Mai Xiong
NLDC is a 501(c)3 non-profit nature and environmental education center in Manitowish Waters, Wisconsin offering programs to people of all ages and abilities.
NLDC serves as a significant resource for the local community, with our free nature center featuring live animal exhibits, animal artifacts, interactive displays, and more! Outside on our grounds, we have a nature-based playground and native gardens to explore, along with 12 miles of hiking and biking trails. Our team of esteemed Naturalists deliver environmental education to the public and to private groups through presentations and outdoor recreational activities such as canoe trips, hiking trips, and snowshoe excursions.
We believe in the importance of preparing today's youth to face tomorrow's challenges. To help students become well-versed, we have created hands-on programs that stimulate young minds, and assist youth in the development of critical thinking skills and cooperative attitudes. We provide programming to schools in our tri-county area (Vilas, Oneida, and Iron counties) through class field trips to our Center, traveling naturalist programs where we come to your classroom, and overnight residential programs. We tailor our environmental educational programs and activities based on your group's preferences, including: wildlife programs, ecology programs, hikes, canoe trips, team building exercises, and more! Our programs are matched to Wisconsin model academic state standards, and we can also offer citizen science projects, stewardship activities, and community involvement.
Contact: Hannah Gargrave, Residential Program Coordinator
PBS Wisconsin
PBS Wisconsin
PBS Wisconsin Education offers curiosity-powered, standards-aligned classroom media resources and professional development events for educators.
PBS Wisconsin Education understands that learning happens everywhere and the world is our classroom by offering free media and professional development opportunities for all educators. These multimedia collections are created with and for educators and learners. PBS resources are standards aligned and Wisconsin focused; including video games, interactive content, educator guides and family engagement ideas. PBS amplifies educator expertise, along with best practices in education by nurturing learning in Wisconsin's classrooms, virtual environments and neighborhoods.
Contact: Jami Hoekstra Collins, Education Engagement Specialist & Mia Forslund, Education Engagement Specialist
Playful Acorns creates meaningful connections and learning opportunities between kids (primarily ages 0-5), caregivers, nature, and the Dane County community. "Playful Acorns was created in 2023 by Madison resident Sam Haas, a new mother and children's picture book writer who felt a deep calling to meet others where they are in the journey of parenthood and grow side by side as we learn from each other, our kids, and nature.
Community Activities
Playful Acorns encourages outdoor exploration and nature connection with kids and caregivers through a variety of free activities in the Madison area community, including partnerships with local libraries to set up free outdoor StoryWalks, walks with Hike It Baby/OutGrown and Ice Age Trail Alliance, and play groups with the nonprofit 4-C.
Classes with Local Experts
Playful Acorns collaborates with music and art teachers, yoga instructors, and more to offer enrichment activities that kids and caregivers can participate in together. Sessions may be held in partnership with local parks and community centers.
Pop-Up Play Spaces
Playful Acorns partners with local eateries and organizations near parks and trails to set up nature-themed spaces for kids (ages 0-5) to play, read, and socialize while under the supervision of their caregivers. Sit back, relax, enjoy a coffee, catch up with a friend, and watch your kids have fun!
Local Resources
Playful Acorns understands that caring for kids is no walk in the park. By surrounding families with more resources throughout pregnancy, postpartum, and early childhood years, we hope to support physical, mental, and emotional well-being.
Contact: Sam Haas, Creator and Owner
Playworks’ mission is to improve the health and well-being of children by increasing opportunities for physical activity and safe, meaningful play.
Playworks is the leading national nonprofit leveraging the power of play to transform children’s social and emotional health. With our support, kids experience safe, fun, and healthy play in school and in our communities. We create a place for every kid--and every adult--to feel included, be active, and build valuable social and emotional skills that are critical for life-long health and well-being. Playworks partners with schools, districts, and community-based organizations to provide support via on-site coaches, professional training for staff who lead play and/or recess, virtual resources, and consultation.
Contact: Courtney Gonnering, Regional Partnership Manager
The Urban Tree Alliance is a Madison-based urban forestry not-for-profit focused on growing and diversifying the local canopy through tree planting, resource management, and research.
We plant trees and hold educational events for Madison area schools and communities. We are currently working to increase tree canopy in Madison's south side and are working to give residents in that community free trees that we will plant for them (schools, businesses, and residential properties).
Contact: Beca Borkowski, Community Forest Coordinator
See us for Farm to School information materials and technical assistance opportunities.
The DPI Farm to School (F2S) team provides resources and training to help schools increase local procurement for school meal programs, support agricultural and nutrition education, and grow school gardens. We travel around the state to schools and for conferences to provide training and technical assistance. We also host monthly Information Sharing Sessions to connect F2S and Farm to Early Care partners across the state.
Contact: Brittany Zerbe, Farm to School Specialist
The Wisconsin Association for Environmental Education is a member-based, professional community of individuals and organizations with diverse backgrounds that promotes responsible environmental action, elevates voices for environmental justice, and celebrates excellence in environmental education.
Three pillars frame our work: Advocacy, Networking, and Recognition. We provide resources and trainings for educators, host conferences and other professional development for educators, and advocate for and connect the EE field.
Contact: Beca Borkowski, Executive Director
We can make our streets safer for kids to walk and bike and explore!
The Wisconsin Bike Fed is a non-profit that works to make it safer and more comfortable to bike throughout the state. We do advocacy work around infrastructure and legislation, and education work around bicycle safety. We can run educational programs teaching kids to walk and bicycle safely and help your community/school audit the nearby infrastructure through the lens of pedestrian and bicycle safety. We can help start bike clubs and come in for events to promote biking or support bike rides.
Contact: Ben Varick, Dane County High School Education Program Manager
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