THE PROBLEM
Humans are disconnected from nature. This is bad for people and bad for our planet.
We’re facing a global mental health crisis among youth, widespread teacher burnout, academic declines in schools across the globe, and an environmental polycrisis—deforestation, droughts, floods, wildfires, the sixth mass extinction. Climate change.
We’re becoming less connected with nature—a trend with massive implications for human wellbeing. And, disconnection from nature is now accepted as a root cause of the environmental crisis.
"Children need to be outdoors frequently!... At home they are on their devices. They are losing their connection with nature."
Renee, 4th Grade Teacher, Colorado, USA
OUR WHY
We know better.
Mountains of research now bear on this question. Study after study shows nature helps reduce stress and anxiety, enhances physical health, and even inspires awe.
After reviewing existing literature about children and nature, researchers found that nature connections drive better learning, support wellbeing, and inspire care for our planet. They concluded:
“IT IS TIME TO BRING NATURE … INTO FORMAL EDUCATION – TO EXPAND EXISTING ISOLATED EFFORTS INTO INCREASINGLY MAINSTREAM PRACTICES.”
This is our call to action.
Yet, still, every day, an estimated 1.6 billion children and 107 million teachers spend their schooldays indoors, disconnected from nature. This means every day we’re missing opportunities to foster greater academic success, wellbeing, and love for our planet in schools worldwide.
We can fix this!
OUR IMPACT
Tested across 780+ educators and 90+ schools - from schools in Nairobi's informal settlements to rural mountain towns in Colorado.
OUTSIDE COMPARED TO INDOORS, TEACHERS REPORT
97%
feel less stressed
"Teaching outdoors has been like a therapy to me and my students."
Lydia, Grade 3 Teacher, Nairobi, Kenya
97%
see students more engaged
"You will see an immediate difference in their attitude and their happiness. Their learning will improve.
Deana, 6th Grade Science Teacher, Colorado, USA
100%
see greater student curiosity
“I’ve seen them become more curious, especially during lessons like Science, Social Studies, and even Kiswahili. It brings learning to life in a very natural and meaningful way.”
John, Head of Department, Social Studies and Kiswahili Teacher, Nairobi, Kenya
OUR THEORY OF CHANGE
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OUR PLAN
OUR 10-YEAR TARGET
By 2037, 100,000 teachers connect 1.8 million students in 6 countries with nature's benefits in school.
Our early impact data tells us we are onto something - that our bite-sized, attainable, "apple-a-day" nature approach works in wildly divergent settings to drive better teaching and learning, improve wellbeing for teachers and students, and foster love for our planet.
Our next right step: leveraging our proven train-the-trainer model with networks of connected schools.
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