We are part of a movement to inspire and support re-connection with the world around us by making nature-based learning an integral part of every child’s education and learning experiences. We are a collective of educators, scientists, artists, musicians, and naturalists. We offer an opportunity to deepen and enhance joyful learning experiences by taking learning outdoors.
What is Nature-Based Learning
and why is it so important?
Hint: it’s different than what you may think of as environmental education.
“Nature-based” means learning in, about, and with nature. Learning in nature simply happens when we take our indoor learning outside: reading a book under a tree; filling in a worksheet at a picnic table. Learning about nature is, in fact, environmental education in its essence: it includes exploring ecosystems and the local biome, engaging in learning opportunities related to science, technology, math, history, art, music, engineering, language arts, and more. Best of all, however, is learning with nature, which has been practiced by Indigenous Peoples everywhere, since time immemorial, and gives us many opportunities to ground in practices of anti-bias, anti-racism, reciprocity and equity. This aspect of nature-based learning is rooted in the fact that nature not only provides a dynamic, diverse, and abundant classroom, but it is also the primary teacher, offering tools, lessons, and boundless opportunities to connect with self, peers, community, and the land we inhabit together in unique and meaningful ways.
It is time for nature-based learning to become an integral part of educational and learning experiences for all children, from preschool through high school - in and out of school. All children and the grownups who guide them deserve access to welcoming, safe spaces outdoors to support their mental and physical well-being. All children and the grownups who guide them deserve to experience the many benefits of spending meaningful time learning in, about, and with nature.
Nature-based learning is essential to whole-human development.
Roots & Sky Nature-Based Learning programs support children, youth, families, educators, and schools in accessing and experiencing the nurturing, awe-inspiring, and transformative opportunities of outdoor and nature-based learning.
Dedicated to whole-human development by ensuring that all children
and the grown-ups who guide them
have access to meaningful time learning
in, about, and with nature.
Founder, Nicole J Corbo
Nature is my happy place.
Whether I’m rooting myself to the Earth on a walk, hike, or ski; feeling my body or boat move with the flow of water; listening to the crackle of a bonfire, mesmerized by the shifting bands of light and color; or simply sky-gazing, watching tree branches dance in the wind, or stars fill the night sky or, my favorite, the moon(!), I find my joy and grounding in nature…and I find my purpose in connecting others with their own joy and grounding in nature.
I have been an outdoor and nature-based educator for over thirty years. In nature, I have taught all manner of academic subjects, as well as guided and cared for people from 0 to 81. While I like to say that early learners are my people, I thrive on supporting and facilitating meaningful learning experiences in nature for other educators, parents & caregivers and, of course, children of all ages. My journey to become an advocate and supporter of nature-based learning has been somewhat circuitous, winding like a river and culminating here in an ocean of possibilities.
My Vision
I have a vision of nature-based education playing a key role in all schools, preschool through high school. I have seen how learners of all ages connect more meaningfully with subject matter, with each other, and with themselves when the learning itself is interconnected. I have witnessed first hand the way time spent outdoors affects physical and mental well-being, as well as the profound impact it has on connecting people in meaningful ways to the world around them and the land they inhabit. I have also witnessed the disparity in the socio-economic and racial makeup of those who frequently occupy those natural spaces. Sadly, children are the ones most often denied access to the benefits of spending time outdoors. Either families don’t have safe natural spaces nearby or, if they do, those natural spaces do not feel welcoming. Meanwhile, many working families simply cannot find the time to spend outdoors. As a result, we often do not see the diversity of our communities fully represented in our natural spaces.
Nature-based learning offers a unique opportunity to develop the whole human through meaningful learning that addresses issues of equity, racism, and bias. Although the full realization of this vision is probably a long way off, I am hopeful. As the proverb says, “tall oaks from little acorns grow.” It will take nurturing and tending by many hands, but it is possible. Remember, we are all, in fact, a part of nature, and everything sustaining our lives - literally everything we need - comes from nature in one form or another. I believe that coming back to this knowing is where it all begins.
We acknowledge that nature-based learning has been practiced
by Indigenous Peoples all over the Earth since time immemorial.
Roots & Sky Nature-Based Learning programs take place on the unceded ancestral land of numerous
Coast Salish tribes, including dxʷdəwʔabš, s·dukʷalbixʷ, spuyaləpabš, and the Muckleshoot Tribe.
With gratitude, we honor the land itself and these tribes that are still here, thriving in vibrant communities,
continuing to protect the land.
We believe in reparations.
What's this? | Who’s land are you on?
We also acknowledge that access to natural spaces and the outdoors has been
historically exclusive in colonized places and continues to be less safe and welcoming
for Black, Brown, Indigenous, Asian, Pacific Islander, and other People of Color.
Roots & Sky Nature-Based Learning is committed to working toward environmental justice,
through active anti-racism and anti-bias, in order to ensure equity, access, and joy for all in nature.