Workshop looking at the outcomes of teaching outdoors with Dr. Sandra Johnson.

This workshop is for both formal and informal educators teaching in an outdoor setting.

Teachers would like to take their students outdoors to learn, but don’t always know what the best methods would be. They wonder, “How do I maintain interest of the students and control of student behavior while meeting the state standards?”

Informal educators...

Panel with youth working towards Equity, Diversity and Inclusion in the Outdoors with Ellyssa Saldivar

We want everyone to learn, explore, and connect with nature. To do that we need the environmental field and nature-focused organizations to be more inclusive, diverse and representative of all communities. Join youth leaders from the Austin Parks and Recreation Department Park Ranger Cadet Program to discuss the intersections of racial...

Sebastian Casarez will share his experiences with a birding program in his neighborhood.

About this Event

Birding in the Barrio (Neighborhood) How to spark a love of birding among young minorities will be an 1 hour powerpoint presentation starting with own my experiences of being a young, hispanic birder in the birding community. The importance of diversity for the new generation of birders and ways to help minority birders...

Dr. Christine Norton, PhD, will share her work with youth in public housing and the use of nature for promoting health and wellbeing

Youth living in public housing often face chronic risk factors, such as poverty, family violence, and addiction, and may benefit from more asset-building experiences in their lives (Forrest-Bank, et al, 2014). Too often, children from marginalized communities do not have access to the outdoors, yet...

Workshop looking at nature journaling with Lari Jo Edwards

Together we will explore sketching and writing as a powerful observation tool that gives everyone the means to better connect with the flora and fauna. Coastal Bend Bays and Estuaries Program will provide writing, sketching, mapping and mindfulness curriculum ideas that help to engage visitors in the natural and cultural history of their own communities. These activities are...

Discussion about Austin's Green School Parks initiative and an innovative assessment tool the team has created.

Since 2016 Austin has been part of the Cities Connecting Children to Nature initiative, a partnership initiative of the National League of Cities and the Children and Nature Network working towards more equitable access to nature for the children of Austin. One of the strategies CCCN Austin has incorporated is green school...