We’re proud to release our newest Conservation Nation Academy publication, the Educator’s Guide to Exploring Nature in Washington, DC!
When students in our Conservation Nation Academy schools have interviewed our grantees to learn about their careers in conservation, it is striking how many speak fondly of early experiences with nature as an inspiration for their career paths. For many people, those formative experiences happened through school-based field trips and informal exploration around schoolyards, thanks to thoughtful teachers who were able to plan and facilitate such valuable experiences.
We should never underestimate the power of nature experiences for children. But while time spent in nature is associated with positive conservation attitudes and behaviors as well as improved mental wellness, bringing students outdoors for field trips can feel daunting for new and experienced educators alike. That’s why Conservation Nation created this educator’s guide to support teachers in facilitating field trips and outdoor nature exploration for students in the DC Metro area.
The guide is broken down into these three sections:
- Describes local Nature Destinations in the DC Metro area with information on activity options, costs, and contact information to help set up field trips.
- Provides Nature Learning Ideas & Resources including outdoor activity ideas and links to recommended nature learning websites and online apps to help students get the most out of each nature learning experience.
- Includes printable Nature Journal & Activity Pages for planning field trips at any nature destination. These include reflection pages and “Nature Detective” scavenger hunts for students of all ages.
We hope this resource will help educators create more opportunities for children to connect with nature and develop a strong foundation for becoming tomorrow’s conservation champions.
The Conservation Nation Academy Educator’s Guide to Exploring Nature in Washington, DC contains easy-to-use information about planning field trips to local parks and nature destinations in the DC Metro area. This unique guide includes outdoor activity ideas, links to nature learning websites, and printable activity pages to help you get the most out of each nature experience.
