More and more district leaders and educators are highlighting the importance of outdoor learning. Getting outside to move and spending time outdoors has profound impacts on students’ health and well-being, and also provides safer learning spaces during the pandemic.
Promoting Outdoor Learning
- Environmental Education Guidance – General environmental education guidance for making better, more equitable use of outdoor spaces as we return to in-person learning from the North American Association for Environmental Education
- Taking Education Outdoors Toolkit – Toolkit for schools in Wisconsin to incorporate safe outdoor learning from the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction
- Environmental Education Guidance Illinois – Environmental education guidance on using outdoor spaces with Illinois case studies from the Environmental Education Association of Illinois
- Outdoor Learning Opportunities and Solutions – Resources and ideas for outdoor learning solutions with example schedules from the Inside-Outside Advisory Group
- Outdoor Learning in Cold Weather – Resources and ideas for outdoor learning in cold weather with examples from the Inside-Outside Advisory Group
- Outdoor Learning Resolution – Resolution with ideas for what should be standard and available for outdoor learning at schools from the NYC Education Council District 3
- Schools Beat Earlier Plagues with Outdoor Classes, We Should Too – Open-air learning during the winter was used in the last major pandemic, with much success: see how they did it from the New York Times
How States Are Promoting Outdoor Learning
State | Type of Initiative | Developed By | Focus | Method | Intended For |
IL | Document: Reopening Guidance | Environmental Education Association of Illinois | Reopening schools with outdoor and environmental education | Case studies & resoures | Schools, school districts |
ME, VT, MA, NH | Documents: Reopening and Winter Guidance | Inside-Outside | Nature-based education for reopening schools and staying outdoors in winter | Position statements | Teachers, schools |
NM | Grant Program: Connecting Youth with Nature during pandemic | NM Outdoor Recreation Division; Governor; Legislature | Funding community-based projects to support youth-nature connection | Grant funds | Tribes, Pueblos, municipalities, counties, nonprofits |
NY | Resolution: Outdoor learning | New York City Community Education Council District 3 | Use of outdoor spaces for safe learning | Resolution | State Department of Education |
WA | Legislation: Licensing outdoor preschools | Department of Children, Youth & Families; Washington Nature Preschool Association | Equtable access to outdoor learning & childcare | Legislation; licensure | Preschols; other states (as model) |
WI | Document/Website: Outdoor Learning | Department of Public Instruction | Using the outdoors in reopening schools | Toolkit | Teachers, schools, school districts |
National | Document/Website: covid-19 outdoor learni | Green Schoolyards America | Taking school outside during pandemic and beyond | Toolkit | Teachers, schools, school districts |
National | Document: ee Guidance for Reopening Schools | North American Association for Environmental Education | Suggestions and guidance for outdoor learning | Ideas & resources | Schools, school districts |