POLICY UPDATE: Policy and advocacy for the children and nature movement

Public policy and funding decisions at all levels of government directly impact children’s ability to engage with and learn from nature. Policies and advocacy efforts around the country — and the world — serve as great tools to support similar efforts elsewhere. Each month, Finding Nature News includes a Policy Update that will highlight emerging public policy (local, state, federal, tribal, international); federal policy action alerts; information about public funding streams; and tips for advocacy and coalition-building. A running list of these policy updates is aggregated in this article, so check back often!

If you have ideas or thoughts about making our Policy Updates more helpful and relevant to your work, please contact David Beard, Director of Policy and Government Affairs at the Children & Nature Network. We look forward to growing the chorus of children and nature supporters in policy and advocacy everywhere!

June 26, 2025:
Now is the time to get loud on the federal budget

As more and more information surrounding funding and federal programs comes out of the nation’s capital, it can be difficult to make sense of it all. We hope this overview of key bills and opportunities for action is helpful.

Budget reconciliation bill: The annual budget reconciliation bill provides funding for mandatory programs, including Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, many federal retirement programs, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and other “entitlement” programs. The bill also includes changes to tax policy and debt ceiling adjustments. Unlike most other bills, Congress can pass a budget reconciliation bill with a simple majority, rather than the 60 votes needed to bypass a filibuster. The 2025 budget reconciliation bill (also known as the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act”) passed the House of Representatives in May and includes distressing cuts to Medicaid and SNAP (including SNAP-Ed, which funds Farm-to-School and Farm-to-ECE programs), among many others. The Senate released its version of the bill, which also has concerning cuts. If funding cuts to these mandatory programs pass, millions of children and families would lose access to food and health care, many people in the health care and agriculture sectors would lose their jobs, and there would be a significant hit to the overall economy. 

2026 budget bill: In addition to the budget reconciliation bill, Congress must also pass a budget bill for non-mandatory/discretionary spending. This includes funding for many programs housed in the U.S. Department of Education and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The executive office’s 2026 budget proposal includes billions of dollars in cuts, including eliminating dozens of Title I funding programs, reducing the Community Development Block Grant, and ending the Environmental Justice program at the Environmental Protection Agency. It also proposes eliminating the 21st Century Community Learning Center program, which provides access to afterschool and summer programs for 1.4 million children and youth across the country. Many of these programs include essential outdoor learning and engagement. 

Here’s what you can do: 

• Write to Congress: Write to or call your members of Congress and voice your opinion on the pending cuts. If you would like to discuss outreach further, contact the Children & Nature Network’s Director of Policy & Government Affairs, David Beard, at david@childrenandnature.org.
• Only have five minutes?: Many organizations and networks make it easy to submit pre-written comments to your representatives. Take action with the Food Research & Action Center and tell your senator to protect SNAP and SNAP-Ed. Or, join Afterschool Alliance in protecting the 21st Century Community Learning program.

Wins during the state legislative season for children’s access to nature

Many state legislative seasons have ended for 2025. Thanks to bill tracking efforts in the Youth Outdoor Policy Playbook, we know that over 275 bills were proposed on issues related to the children and nature movement — and about 40 passed. Below are a few highlights:

• Colorado passed HB 25-1061, which creates the Community Schoolyards Grant Program. Colorado now has the second statewide green schoolyard grant program in the country, after California. This new funding will support the planning and implementation of nature-filled green and living schoolyards.
• Maine passed LD 895, which created the Outdoor School for All Maine Students Program. The Maine Cooperative Extension will develop the program, which would provide a two- to three-night overnight experience to students between 4th and 8th grade. A similar program exists in several other states, including Oregon and Washington.
• Nevada passed AB 165, establishing an Outdoor Education Council within the Division of Outdoor Recreation of the State Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. This council will create a process for awarding outdoor education designations to schools, develop an Outdoor Educator of the Year award and share best practices for outdoor education. The bill was born from the recommendations by the Nevada Outdoor Education Advisory Working Group, which is a Nature Everywhere Community. 
• Also in Nevada, AB 501 passed and authorizes school districts to award elective course credit to middle, junior or high school pupils who complete an approved outdoor recreational activity outside of school hours. This credit counts toward the total required for promotion to or graduation from high school. 

Many of you worked on state legislation this year — thank you for your work to support kids’ access to nature! It was great to see innovative and systematic approaches to connecting kids to the outdoors. Stay tuned for an upcoming Youth Outdoor Policy Partnership webinar showcasing these wins and other state policy efforts — more information coming soon! 

MAY 29, 2025:
Continuing to emphasize federal advocacy

The Trump Administration released its Federal Fiscal Year 2026 budget proposal early this month. The budget proposes billions of dollars in cuts, including eliminating dozens of Title I funding programs, reducing the Community Development Block Grant and ending the Environmental Justice program at the Environmental Protection Agency. These funding reductions and eliminations will impact children’s access to nature, their learning and their health.

Now is the time to raise your voice. Several programs slated to be cut or frozen by the Administration have persisted thanks to media outreach and advocacy to Congressional offices. The Outdoor Alliance for Kids (OAK) continues to collect stories that showcase the impacts of recent executive orders, federal layoffs and the federal funding freeze. The Percent for Place Coalition is also collecting stories about the effects of cuts on civic infrastructure (public use buildings, parks, farmers markets, urban and rural public space redevelopment, etc.). Please share your stories at the links above!

If you would like to further discuss outreach to your members of Congress, please contact the Children & Nature Network’s Director of Policy & Government Affairs, David Beard, at david@childrenandnature.org. We look forward to supporting your advocacy efforts. 

Public policy has the power to increase opportunities for early childhood nature connection 

Brain development is most rapid in the earliest years of life — and building comfort and joy in nature can start just as early. There are a burgeoning number of opportunities to engage young children and their families in nature, such as:

• Outdoor and forest preschools and child care
• Prescribing nature to new parents
• Increasing professional development opportunities and resources for traditional early childhood programs to engage children in nature 
• Creating nature-rich outdoor spaces

To provide funding and develop supportive public systems to scale these opportunities, we must increase public policy efforts — especially during this challenging time for the movement for children and nature. In October 2024, a collection of organizations and agencies from across the country formed the Outdoor and Nature-Based Early Care and Education Collaborative. The collaborative builds upon existing policy efforts and aims to generate public policy ideas, provide technical assistance and share communications that advance advocacy efforts at the local, state and federal levels. 

We are still constructing our vision and work plan, and hope to add more voices. If you are interested in participating in the collaborative or want to chat further, please contact David Beard at david@childrenandnature.org. A love of nature starts early!

APRIL 17, 2025:
Federal advocacy

The Trump administration and the Congressional majority continue to cut or propose cuts to programs and federal workforces, including at the Environmental Protection Agency, Department of Education, Department of Health and Human Services, Small Business Administration, and more. As we are learning in great detail, federal funding is a critical piece to creating opportunities for children and youth to learn from and engage in nature. From green schoolyards to Every Kid Outdoors to environmental impact and disaster aid to environmental education, and so on — federal funding is necessary to support children and youth. Additionally, federal agency staff are needed for program administration, for accountability, and for civil rights protection.

Budget negotiations are in full swing for the federal fiscal year (FFY) 2026 budget. The budget year is supposed to begin October 1, 2025, and end September 30, 2026. To aid in preventing devastating cuts, the Outdoor Alliance for Kids (OAK) is collecting stories that showcase the impacts of recent executive orders, federal funding freeze, and federal layoffs. The Percent for Place Coalition is also collecting stories about the impacts of cuts to civic infrastructure (public use buildings, parks, farmers markets, urban and rural public space redevelopment, etc.). 

These stories are working! Due to on-the-ground stories of impact, some programs have been spared, and some federal staff have been retained. The stories are used in advocacy efforts, including court cases. 

Please share your stories about the impacts these executive actions and funding decisions are having on your organizations and the young people you serve, and on civic infrastructure, at the above links. If you are concerned with confidentiality and want to share your story anonymously, please contact the Children & Nature Network’s Director of Policy & Government Affairs, David Beard, at david@childrenandnature.org. Using our individual and collective voices, we have a fighting chance to save these resources for kids and nature.

Green schoolyards and state-level policy
In public policy, green schoolyards (also known as “living schoolyards” and “green community schoolyards” in some places) have been centered in the local government and school district sphere and, in some cases, have been supported by federal funding such as the Community Development Block Grant. The state-level role for green schoolyards is more nascent. Several national organizations, including the Children & Nature Network, Green Schoolyards America, KABOOM!, and Trust for Public Land, have been increasing attention to the states, given the potential for funding and scalability.

As efforts begin to refresh and revitalize the national Green Schoolyards Action Agenda this year, some current state-level policy strategies are blossoming that will inform the Agenda. Below are some examples of how states approach their policy and advocacy efforts.

• California is currently the only state with a green schoolyards grant, which is housed at the CAL FIRE state agency in the Urban and Community Forestry Grant Program. California models how creating a competitive grant opportunity for schools and partners with a focus on climate mitigation and adaptation for issues such as wildfire and extreme heat management is one policy and communications strategy that can increase attention and understanding of the issue.
• Colorado has House Bill 25-1061, which would create a Community Schoolyards Grant Program. The grants would be for schools, boards of cooperative education services, and tribal organizations to develop park-like environments at schools that provide hands-on programming to students, enhance the well-being of students and community members, and address inequities in underserved communities. One interesting aspect of this proposal is the funding source, which would come from the severance tax on minerals and mineral fuels. A dedicated funding source can be an effective strategy to create and sustain a grant program. 
• Grant funding may not be the only way to take the first step in a policy strategy. Adding a technical assistance opportunity for schools and partners to create and maintain green schoolyards is one pathway to build toward state funding. Nevada (Assembly Bill 165) and the state of Washington (House Bill 1134) embedded this concept into pending legislation.

Stay tuned for more information and opportunities for input on the updated Green Schoolyards Action Agenda. Don’t forget to check out the Green Schoolyards Advocacy Toolkit or reach out to the Children & Nature Network as you grow your own state green schoolyards efforts.

MARCH 20, 2025:
Share your story to help advocate for federal funding

Federal funding is critical to increasing opportunities for children and youth to learn from and engage in nature. This includes funding for programs, classrooms and infrastructure — from accessible parks to green schoolyards. In an effort to prevent additional cuts to the funding of these important resources, the Outdoor Alliance for Kids (OAK) is collecting stories that showcase the impacts of recent executive orders, federal funding freeze and federal layoffs. 

Stories from youth, parents, program providers, park staff, outdoor recreation staff, teachers and other individuals also help advocates understand the impact these executive actions and funding decisions have on organizations and young people. Use this link to tell your story of impact. By filling out this form, your story will go directly to your member of Congress. With your permission, OAK will also use your story to strategically advocate for increasing young people’s access to the outdoors.

If you are concerned about confidentiality and want to share your story anonymously, please contact David Beard, the Children & Nature Network’s Director of Policy & Government Affairs, at david@childrenandnature.org. By using our individual and collective voices, we have a fighting chance to save these resources for kids and nature. 

In Nevada, a workgroup leads to new legislation

In 2023, the Nevada legislature passed Assembly Bill 164, which created the Outdoor Education Advisory Working Group (AWG). The AWG was selected as a Nature Everywhere Community and received support from the Children & Nature Network, the National League of Cities and KABOOM!. 

The AWG included a cross-sector team of stakeholders, including state agencies, teachers and other school representatives, youth development and early childhood providers and specialists, a youth representative and legislators. The AWG also utilized a statewide survey and focus groups of students, teachers and other adults working with youth to create a series of recommendations. 

The AWG’s recommendations were developed into legislation, Assembly Bill 165 (AB 165). This bill would establish an Outdoor Education Council within the Nevada Division of Outdoor Recreation (NDOR) of the State Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. The Council would advise on:

• Creating a grant program that awards schools with a green schoolyard designation, as well as an award for “Outdoor Educator of the Year” 
• Creating voluntary standards for outdoor education, including interdisciplinary curriculum and living schoolyards (aka green schoolyards)
• The development of teacher training for outdoor learning
• Providing technical assistance to support schools and school districts interested in developing initiatives for outdoor education — and prioritizing schools with the least access to nature
• Identifying state and federal funding opportunities for these efforts

AB 165 was heard in the Nevada Assembly’s Natural Resources Committee on March 3, 2025. Assemblymember Erica Mosca, AWG member and student Sean Thornton, and Children & Nature Network’s Director of Policy & Government Affairs David Beard presented both the bill and AWG recommendations to the committee. The bill must be approved by the state Assembly and state Senate by the end of the Nevada 2025 Legislative Session on June 2, 2025.

FEBRUARY 20, 2025:
Federal Advocacy

Since the new administration took office last month, funding programs related to the environment or sustainability, along with programs focusing on diversity, equity, and inclusion, are under immense scrutiny and were paused in late January.

Given the current political climate, it can be challenging to stay abreast of what is happening and to know how to respond. The Outdoor Alliance for Kids (OAK) is developing responses and is creating a response guide for OAK coalition members. OAK also provides newsletters, social media, and a Field Call to stay engaged with federal policy, funding and advocacy.

You may consider signing up to be an OAK member and continue to follow the Children & Nature Network’s Policy Updates each month as we will have a standing section on federal policy and funding, given the numerous challenges coming out of D.C. Our collective voice will be critical in maintaining programming and funding vital to connecting children to nature and ensuring our natural areas are protected.

State Legislative Sessions Have Begun

With tremendous uncertainty at the federal level, this is a great time to work on local and state-level public policies. Most 2025 state legislative sessions have begun, and policy ideas are coming to life. 

Green schoolyards and similar policy ideas are taking shape in a few states:

• In Nevada, Assembly Bill 615 would establish the Outdoor Education Council within the Division of Outdoor Recreation of the State Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. The Council would advise the creation of a grant program to award designations and potentially funding relating to outdoor education, green schools, and green schoolyards. The concepts in the bill emerged from a legislatively created workgroup focused on outdoor education that was also a Nature Everywhere community.
• A bill focused on Community Schoolyards is moving through the Colorado legislature and includes many components of green schoolyards. It would be funded by an existing special tax, giving it a chance at passage in a strained budget climate.
• In Washington state, legislation was introduced that would create a Green Schools Program in their state education agency that would, among other duties, connect schools to green schoolyards and school forest information and support.
• In Hawaii, a bill would require the state departments of education and health to develop statewide guidelines for managing heat exposure to protect students’ health during outdoor activities.

Additionally, there is legislation in Nevada and South Carolina that would mandate minimum outdoor recess requirements for elementary-aged students. The legislation in Nevada also creates a pathway for middle and high school students to gain credit for approved outdoor recreation and education activities. 

Check out the Youth Outdoor Policy Playbook, a resource that highlights current and past state-level legislation and features the Annual Trend Report, community spotlights, and a state bill tracking feature. If you are working on state or local-level public policy that others might be interested in learning about or to share ideas and updates on policy and advocacy efforts, please contact David Beard at david@childrenandnature.org. 

JANUARY 23, 2025:
Webinar: State-Level Youth Outdoor Policy Trends

Earlier this month, the Youth Outdoor Policy Partnership held a webinar titled “Change is Coming: 2024 Youth Outdoor Policy Trends & 2025 Advocacy Strategies.” We explored the latest state-level policy updates from 2024, shared winning coalition-building strategies and heard exciting advocacy strategies for 2025 from a panel of youth outdoor policy leaders. Presenters and panelists included Colorado State Senator Janice Marchman, Kendal Scott with the Nevada Division of Outdoor Recreation, Megan Fink with the North American Association for Environmental Education, Grant Gliniecki from the National Caucus of Environmental Legislators and David Beard from the Children & Nature Network. Watch the webinar recording below.

The Youth Outdoor Policy Partnership is a collaboration of leading national organizations working across sectors to ensure that all children have access to high-quality outdoor experiences and environmental education. Every year, the collaboration supports the Youth Outdoor Policy Playbook, a resource that highlights current and past state-level legislation and features community spotlights. The Playbook also includes an Annual Trend Report that shares innovative policies to encourage legislators, advocates, communities and youth to replicate, rethink and collaborate on strategies to build equitable youth outdoor opportunities.

DECEMBER 26, 2024:
The nature and early childhood movement gains steam

The Outdoor and Nature-Based Early Care and Education (ONB ECE) Collaborative kicked off this month, following the ONB ECE Policy Roundtable held in Washington, D.C., this past October. Early childhood is the time to begin outdoor learning and engaging, whether through forest schools or creating outdoor learning environments in traditional ECE programs. A public policy approach is critical to expanding these opportunities, increasing resilience and mitigating the impacts of climate change.

The ONB ECE held a kickoff call on December 16 that brought together ONB ECE providers, intermediaries, public agencies and others. If you’re interested in learning more about the Collaborative and ONB ECE policy, please contact Children & Nature Network’s Policy & Government Affairs Director David Beard at david@childrenandnature.org. Together, we can build a love and understanding of nature in our youngest learners, and create a climate-friendly world for their future.

EXPLORE Act passes Congress, heads to the White House

Great news heading into the holiday season — the Expanding Public Lands Outdoor Recreation Experiences (EXPLORE) Act has passed through Congress on December 19th and is on its way to the President’s desk for his signature. This crucial legislation will increase outdoor accessibility, improve or create new outdoor recreation facilities, and introduce more generations of children to the outdoors. The EXPLORE Act contains four major provisions related to outdoor improvement and park access for children and youth:

• The Every Kid Outdoors program, which grants free access to federal public lands and waters to fourth graders and their families, would be reauthorized for seven years.
• The Outdoors for All Act would authorize the existing Outdoors Recreation Legacy Partnership (ORLP) program, which provides funding to economically disadvantaged communities with little to no access to public outdoor recreation spaces to build or improve outdoor recreation sites and facilities.
• The Military Veterans in Parks Act would improve signage, adaptive recreational facilities and disability access, while also increasing awareness of and access to assistive technology.
• The Simplifying Outdoor Access for Recreation Act would streamline permitting processes for guides, outfitters, outdoor leaders and nonprofit organizations. This would reduce the barriers communities and organizations face in organizing outdoor excursions and facilitating access to nature.

Advocacy from the Outdoor Alliance for Kids (OAK) coalition was central to keeping these provisions in the bill and securing its success. The passage of the EXPLORE Act in the final days of this Congress shows that steadfast advocacy can secure wins, even in the most challenging of political environments. As a member of OAK, the Children & Nature Network will continue to advocate to the President for the swift signing of the legislation.

NOVEMBER 27, 2024:
Election 2024: Gear up to ensure kids’ access to nature

The 2024 election dramatically changed the political landscape of the U.S. federal government, with Republicans now in control of Congress and the White House. Policy proposals from the new administration include significant cuts to public programs, some of which support children’s access to nature.

Below is a recap of the election and what may be in store for 2025. Stay tuned for advocacy opportunities; you can start by joining our December 3 virtual event to explore state-level policy updates and exciting children and nature advocacy strategies for the year ahead (more on that below).

• Congress: The U.S. Senate flipped to a Republican majority, and Republicans will maintain control in the U.S. House of Representatives. Congress plays a vital role in funding programs such as Every Kid Outdoors (EKO), the Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership Program (ORLP), and the Community Development Block Program, among many others. The extent and details of federal budget cuts remain to be seen, but it seems likely that well-organized advocacy efforts will be needed to protect important programs connecting children to nature. 
• Gubernatorial races and state legislatures: Several new governors were elected, and interestingly, no state had a change in which party controls the governor’s mansion. There has not been much change in state legislative majorities, save for a new tie in the Minnesota House and possibly the Maine House, and a new Republican majority in the Michigan House. State-level policy and funding will become crucial if the federal landscape becomes more challenging for access, learning and engagement in the children and nature movement.
• Ballot measures and other races: Most states had ballot measures asking voters to weigh in on specific issues. Seven states had ballot questions relating to nature and environmental protection, such as California’s environmental protection bond (Prop 4) and Maine’s trail protection and improvement bond (Question 4) — both of which passed. Local ballot measures saw some success, with $133 million being approved for children and youth services nationwide, some of which could potentially be used for outdoor and nature-based programming. 

State-level policy trends and opportunities

State-level policy approaches are the best public strategy heading into 2025. The Youth Outdoor Policy Partnership is a collaboration of leading national organizations working across sectors to ensure that all children have access to high-quality outdoor experiences and environmental education. Members include the National Caucus of Environmental Legislators, North American Association for Environmental Education, Nuestra Tierra Conservation Project and the Children & Nature Network. Every year, the Partnership publishes an annual Trends Report that shares innovative policies to encourage legislators, advocates, communities and youth to replicate, rethink and collaborate to build equitable youth outdoor opportunities. 

On Tuesday, December 3 at 1 p.m. CT, Youth Outdoor Policy Partnership is hosting “Change is Coming,” a webinar to explore the latest state-level policy updates, winning coalition-building strategies and exciting advocacy strategies for 2025 with a panel of leaders in youth outdoor policy. The event will include representatives from the Partnership as well as Colorado State Senator Janice Marchman. Click here to learn more and register — we hope to see you!

OCTOBER 17, 2024:
The election is coming. Connecting children to nature is on the ballot.

The 2024 election, like the past several election cycles, will have ramifications for programs serving children, increasing access to nature and combating climate change. Time is running out (or has run out!) to register to vote — see registration deadlines in your state here. 

The Presidential and Congressional elections are not the only important races — many other races impact public policy and funding. Below are the races, issues and ballot measures that the Children & Nature Network will be watching:

• President and Congress: It is no surprise to anyone that who is in the White House matters. Presidents sign or veto legislation passed by Congress, which has consequences for the public. Presidents also have a broad range of powers, including appointing secretaries to vital agencies like the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Education, and creating grant programs that can (or can not!) be community-minded and justice-oriented. Presidents also play a significant role in international affairs including climate treaties. Congress plays a vital role in these areas as well, including increasing or decreasing funding to important programs such as Every Kid Outdoors (EKO), the Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership Program (ORLP), and the Community Development Block Program (see the following CDBG section below), among many others.
• Gubernatorial races and state legislatures: Governors and state legislatures make many important decisions for their states, including choices about funding and oversight for education and state parks. Eleven governor races and almost all state legislatures are on the ballot this November. In making your voting decisions, check out the candidates’ position statements via their websites or the media, and see which organizational endorsements (such as environmental or child-focused organizations and political action committees) a candidate has secured to give you a sense of how they will support children and nature. 
• Ballot measures and other races: A handful of states elect public land commissioners, who have significant decision-making authority over what happens on public lands — and who has access to them. Additionally, most states will have ballot measures asking voters to weigh in on specific issues. In the 2024 election, for example, seven states will have eight ballot questions relating to nature and environmental protection, such as California’s environmental protection bond (Prop 4) and Maine’s trail protection and improvement bond (Question 4). 

Check your voter registration — even if you have previously voted — to ensure your registration status and address are current and correct. Election Day, November 5, will be here in no time!

Federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) celebrates 50 years

The Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG), housed at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), turned 50 years old this year. Cities and communities across the country have leveraged CDBG funds to create opportunities to connect children to nature on public school grounds, libraries, recreational facilities, parks and playgrounds open to the general public. CDBG is one of several federal funding streams that support connecting children to nature and building climate-resilient infrastructure. 

The Percent for Place Coalition, a federal coalition that advocates for increased support for civic infrastructure, released this brief featuring recent projects funded by CDBG to celebrate the program’s anniversary. The brief highlights the Salina Elementary and Middle School Green Schoolyards Initiative in Dearborn, Michigan — a city that participated in the Cities Connecting Children to Nature (CCCN) effort led by the Children & Nature Network and the National League of Cities. The Dearborn team, with technical assistance support from CCCN, has done a phenomenal job designing the space with the community, creating a bold vision, and leveraging district, state and federal funding.

SEPTEMBER 19, 2024:
Supporting Every Kid Outdoors

On National Public Lands Day (September 28th), all federally protected lands are free — but, thanks to the Every Kid Outdoors (EKO) program, fourth graders and their families can obtain free passes to federal lands and waters all year long!

Providing free access to our public lands is crucial in helping all children establish early connections with nature. For this year’s National Public Lands Day, we want to underscore the transformative impact of this connection and the importance of maintaining the EKO program. 

Year after year, EKO program advocates must fight for funding and the permanent status of the program. Check out Sierra Club’s EKO Action Alert urging Congress to pass the Every Kid Outdoors Act. Your congressional offices need to hear about the importance of nature access for children, and EKO’s critical role in getting kids outdoors. 

Schools prioritize green energy with federal Inflation Reduction Act funding

Two years ago, President Biden signed the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) into law, which provided funding for infrastructure projects, new employment opportunities and American-based manufacturing, among other economic priorities. Included in the IRA were unlimited, non-competitive tax credits to provide support for school districts looking to implement clean energy technologies across their infrastructure. Check out more information from UndauntedK12 to learn how school districts from coast to coast are using these tax credits for green energy, and find helpful tools to share with your local school district. Schools are crucial in connecting kids to nature and creating sustainable infrastructure. Green energy technology can be a core component of a Green Schoolyards plan, which aims to construct a more nature-filled, climate-resilient school.

AUGUST 22, 2024:
Maine is creating systems change on multiple fronts

Maine’s breathtaking landscapes aren’t just for show — the state is also serious about connecting children to nature. The more you look, the more examples of good policy, strategy and collaboration you’ll find. Much of this work is supported by the Maine Environmental Education Association, an affiliate of the North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE). For more information about the following efforts and others in the Pine Tree State, please contact Olivia Griset at olivia@meeassociation.org. 

The Maine Nature-Based Education Consortium is a collaborative network of outdoor learning leaders, organizations and individuals working together to advance systems-level efforts to ensure every child in Maine has access to powerful outdoor learning experiences. The Consortium is also a Thrive Outside Community, with key focus areas being the Maine GearShare library, advocacy to regrant Outdoor Equity Funds and advocacy support for outdoor learning initiatives. The Consortium’s work and collaboration with public agencies have supported the following initiatives:

• Outdoor Equity Fund: In the last two years, this fund has awarded $600,000 in grants to 20 organizations led by Black, Indigenous and People of Color working to connect more children and youth to the outdoors. The fund uses participatory grantmaking and a low-barrier application process for unrestricted and multi-year grants. The Fund is currently using private funding, but this process can be emulated in other states using public or private monies. 
• Climate Education Professional Development Grants: This legislatively approved pilot program created a new climate education position within the Maine Department of Education. It also provides funding for school districts to collaborate with community-based organizations for professional development related to climate education. The first two rounds of funding have been granted with a third grant process expected later in the 2024/25 school year. 
• Rethinking Responsive Education Ventures (RREV): The Maine Department of Education was granted $17 million in COVID-related federal funding to support educator-led efforts to deepen student engagement through interdisciplinary learning. Grants to local schools or districts have included creative learning strategies that include the outdoors and environmental stewardship.
• Maine Outdoor Learning Initiative: This initiative was created by Maine Governor Janet Mills using COVID-related federal funds to provide increased learning and engagement opportunities for outdoor and environmental learning programs prioritizing Maine students from low-income households. This program has allocated over $6 million to outdoor learning and also includes related career exploration for students. 

In addition to these efforts, advocates and learning professionals know the importance of youth engagement. Effective and impactful youth programming has youth voice and choice embedded in its design and execution. Recognizing this, outdoor systems leaders and funders have invested in youth leadership, voice and collaboration. The Maine Environmental Changemakers Network was created in 2016 by the Maine Environmental Education Association to provide more opportunities for youth engagement and career exploration in the outdoors. Changemakers receive leadership training, participate in community events, have the opportunity for both a paid fellowship program and a paid residency, and receive support for youth-led community action projects. 

Finally, there’s great work happening in early childhood. The Maine Early Childhood Outdoors (MeECO) is a coalition hosted by the Maine Association of Education of Young Children (MAEYC) currently supporting training for childcare licensors focused on understanding and supporting nature-based or nature-infused early childhood programs. MeECO also provides professional development for early learning providers to incorporate a nature focus in programming.

We will continue to monitor and uplift the numerous policy and systems change efforts blooming in Maine. Stay tuned!

JULY 25, 2024:
Federal EXPLORE Act awaits action

As we reported in April, the Expanding Public Lands Outdoor Recreation Experiences (EXPLORE) Act, also known as House Resolution 6492, passed the U.S. House of Representatives with strong bipartisan support. This legislation provides much-needed infrastructure, permitting and mapping improvements to national parks and other federal lands and waterways. The bill makes the Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership program permanent and extends the Every Kid Outdoors Act, which provides every American fourth grader free access to national parks. Additionally, the bill requires a joint team of federal agencies to create a public strategy to increase the number of youth visits to federal recreational lands and waters. 

The bill has been awaiting Senate action for several months. Given its bipartisan nature, the Children & Nature Network and our partners at the Outdoor Alliance for Kids (OAK) coalition are urging the Senate to take swift action and President Biden to sign. Stay tuned for more information in the coming months.

Green schoolyards state-level policy begins to take shape

Green schoolyards present an opportunity to rethink school grounds by providing natural learning and play spaces. Green schoolyards have reduced costs for school districts and their communities by implementing smart infrastructure to minimize heat, manage stormwater and more. To learn more about the economic benefits of green schoolyards, check out a recent report by Federal Reserve economist Rob Grunewald, “How Green Schoolyards Create Economic Value.” 

A green schoolyard from Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Much of the public policy related to green schoolyards has focused on district- and community-level policy utilizing local and federal funding. While these levers remain critical, state-level policy and funding are coming into focus for related advocacy and planning. States often provide funding for school construction and have sustainability and infrastructure plans that provide either requirements or recommendations for school buildings. This funding provides a clear and important opportunity to support green schoolyard expansion.

A few states have funding specific to green schoolyard implementation, while others incorporate aspects of green schoolyards within pre-existing funding avenues. California has a Green Schoolyards Grant Program through the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) that provides grants to school districts. Massachusetts has a Green Schools Program, housed in the Massachusetts School Building Authority, that supports sustainable school construction planning and development. Several states, such as Washington, have introduced legislation to enact similar green schoolyard-related programs. 

State-level green schoolyards policy efforts are growing nationwide. Stay tuned for more information, and feel free to contact David to share your ideas and efforts: david@childrenandnature.org. Also, don’t forget to see the latest state policy updates via the Youth Outdoor Policy Playbook!

JUNE 19, 2024:
Outdoor nature-based Pre-K and child care licensing

Across the country, a movement to increase outdoor learning and engagement has picked up steam. Several states are now working towards licensed, outdoor-nature-based (ONB) prekindergarten (Pre-K) and child care programming. This work builds on research and other international efforts that show early access to nature has many benefits for young children’s health, brain development and appreciation of nature. Licensing for ONB early childhood programming also paves the way for a wider array of programming that families want or need. This is especially important given the challenges many families have finding appropriate care and many providers have remaining operational amidst compounding financial constraints.  

States such as Colorado, Maryland and Oregon have recently passed laws to begin ONB licensing, and several other states are working on ONB licensing through regulation or other means. Washington was the first state to enact ONB Pre-K licensing and child care licensing for both early learning and school-age child care. Resources to support Washington’s new and existing providers include Outdoor Nature-Based Learning Competencies (also available in Spanish and Somali), a Benefit-Risk Assessment and an Outdoor Nature-Based Initial Checklist. These resources help ensure quality, safe outdoor learning and engagement for Washington’s youngest children. 

The Children & Nature Network and many other partners, including the Natural Start Alliance, are supporting states and advocates interested in implementing ONB Pre-K and child care licensing. Additionally, the Children & Nature Network and the National League of Cities created the Early Childhood Nature Connections Toolkit to aid providers and system leaders who want to create nature-based learning and play spaces. For more information on successful policy strategies to support programming in the ONB early childhood field, from pre-natal through early elementary, reach out to David at david@childrenandnature.org.

MAY 21, 2024:
Michigan launches Children & Nature Coalition effort

Michigan enjoys many rural and urban nature-based environments that are ripe for fun and learning. Unfortunately, as in most of the United States, many children and youth lack access to these spaces — or have inequitable access.

To take this head-on, the Great Lakes Stewardship Initiative (GLSI), in partnership with the Children & Nature Network, is developing and implementing a sustained initiative to increase youth access to and engagement with nature and related programming throughout Michigan. The Michigan Children & Nature Coalition is a multi-year initiative that aims to increase funding and supportive state-level policies conducive to thriving, equitable children and nature connections at school, in the community and beyond. The initiative will also increase statewide collaboration and engagement around critical practices, programs and infrastructure that support sustained youth access to nature, such as through green schoolyards, pre-K-12 teaching and learning pathways, other formal and nonformal learning structures and programs, early childhood learning, nature-based play, outdoor recreation and more.

A leadership team is forming, and many organizations have begun participating. If you are in Michigan and would like to learn more and get involved, please email coalition@greatlakesstewardship.org. The more diverse the coalition member organizations that can be brought into this effort, the more likely the Michigan government will support this critical body of work for Michigan’s young people. 

Children and nature advocates come to DC
Youth, providers, and advocates from around the country came to Washington, DC, on May 21 and 22 for Oak Week 2024, an opportunity to educate policymakers on the importance of outdoor learning and engagement. OAK Week is an annual event sponsored by the Outdoors Alliance for Kids (OAK), a national strategic partnership of organizations (including the Children & Nature Network), which advocates for outdoor accessibility, youth engagement, conservation, nature equity and more. Congress has many pending pieces of legislation that would greatly increase equitable access to outdoor/nature-based programming, environmental education, green/living schoolyards and much more. 

Youth and staff from Detroit Outdoors; Flint’s Young, Gifted & Green; and the Children & Nature Network educated federal policymakers on nature-based learning and engagement during OAK Week 2024.

In addition to advocacy, OAK got the chance to hear from Brenda Mallory, chair of the Council on Environmental Quality, and Andrea Delgado, chief of staff, Natural Resources & Environment, U.S. Department of Agriculture. They stressed the administration’s commitment to equitable access to our public lands for children and youth. Attendees also got to hear from a fantastic panel on best practices in securing federal funds from the USDA Forest Service, Student Conservation Association, Annapolis Recreation & Parks and the Children & Nature Network. Finally, Jacob Malcom, acting deputy assistant secretary, Department of the Interior, presented on the “National Nature Assessment,” which is a government-wide report led by the U.S. Global Change Research Program. Set to publish in 2026, it will assess how Americans view the importance of nature. Malcolm was able to receive input and ideas from young people and the OAK community to shape the report.

If you missed OAK Week 2024, we hope to see you next year! Please consider joining OAK and helping elevate these critical issues to Congress and the administration. 

APRIL 25, 2024:
Federal EXPLORE Act passes U.S. House
Political infighting has led to very little policy action in Congress this year. So, it was heartening to see the Expanding Public Lands Outdoor Recreation Experiences (EXPLORE) Act, also known as House Resolution 6492, pass the U.S. House of Representatives on April 9th with strong bipartisan support. This legislation provides much-needed infrastructure, permitting and mapping improvements to national parks and other federal lands and waterways. The bill also makes the Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership program permanent, which provides competitive funding for “nature-deprived communities.” Eligible uses of funds include the acquisition, development and/or substantial renovation of public parks and other outdoor recreation spaces.

In relation to children and youth: the bill extends the Every Kid Outdoors Act, which provides every American 4th grader free access to national parks. Additionally, the bill requires a joint team of federal agencies to create a public strategy to increase the number of youth recreation visits to federal recreational lands and waters. Under the bill currently, agencies would have two years from enactment to finalize the initial youth recreation visit plan and would be mandated to update it every five years.

The bill now heads to the Senate, where advocates hope for swift action. President Biden is anticipated to sign the EXPLORE Act if it lands on his desk. Stay tuned for additional updates!

New and improved Youth Outdoor Policy Playbook
The Youth Outdoor Policy Playbook is an online tool that serves as a resource for state-level policy action and ideas, hosts annual nationwide legislative updates, and provides links to legislation passed and pending. A recent website refresh will allow users to more easily find policies of interest, case studies and community spotlights of state-level advocacy across the country. 

The Playbook is supported by the Youth Outdoor Policy Partnership, a collaboration between the Children & Nature Network, the National Caucus of Environmental Legislators, the North American Association of Environmental Education and Nuestra Tierra. Check out our webinar to learn more about the new tool, and to hear Kentucky State Representative Josie Raymond and Ashley Hoffman with the Kentucky Association of Environmental Education (KAEE) discuss policy development and advocacy for Kentucky’s outdoor nature-based child care licensing bill.

MARCH 28, 2024:
Current 2024 federal budget is finalized, work begins on the 2025 budget
Congress has finally approved the 2024 federal budget, which should have been passed prior to October 1, 2023. In the agreement the President and Congress reached, most funding areas are flat-funded, meaning they will receive the same amount of funding as the 2023 budget cycle. There are a few exceptions, such as a $1 billion increase in the Child Care Development Block Grant (CCDBG) and Head Start, as well as slight increases for K-12 programs such as Title I. Also included are a handful of Congressional Directed Spending requests (also known as “earmarks”), many of which are related to public infrastructure. 

The process for the 2025 federal budget, which needs to be passed in some form before October 1, 2024, has also begun. Both President Biden and House Republicans released the budget resolutions, which is the first step in the process. These resolutions set spending limits for sections of the budget and identify budget priorities. President Biden’s budget proposal includes several new investments in education, early learning, and environmental justice including a commitment to the Justice40 initiative that strategically aims to increase investment in communities that are marginalized by underinvestment and overburdened by pollution. The President’s budget proposal also includes new funds for public infrastructure, green energy and cleaning up waterways on which children and families depend. 

While mostly good news, we are concerned to see that the Supporting America’s School Infrastructure (SASI) grant program, which can be used to support states’ ability to expand their green schoolyards, was not included in the budget proposal. 

The majority House Republican concurrent budget resolution proposal (C.B.R.) provides limits for spending levels by function (e.g., energy, education, etc.) as well as related policy priorities, such as eliminating several green energy-related tax incentives. The majority Senate Democrats have not released their 2025 proposed concurrent budget resolution but are expected to over the next several weeks.

This budget process will continue to be contentious, particularly given the general election in November, when races for President, approximately one-third of senate seats and all house members are on the ballot. Given recent history, it is likely that no budget will be finalized until after the election, several months into the new 2025 federal fiscal year. 

To learn more about the federal budget, see these great infographics on the 2023 federal budget from the Congressional Budget Office. These visualizations help display the enormity and complexity of the budget at a high level – although they do not show how critical this funding is to the current and future well-being of our children and the environment.

Resources for civic infrastructure funding
Civic infrastructure is a critical – and often underfunded – resource, despite decades of research showing that well-funded, programmed and managed public places can help people and communities thrive. Learn more about federal programs available for investing in public spaces where Americans can connect and flourish in this new article from the Percent for Place coalition, of which Children & Nature Network is a member.

As anyone who has ever applied for a federal grant knows, these grants can be challenging to apply for and report on. This link takes you to federal funding opportunities that we have seen work for children and nature-focused infrastructure projects. Please reach out to David with questions or ideas regarding federal funding at david@childrenandnature.org.

FEBRUARY 29, 2024:
State legislative sessions underway
Forty-six state legislatures, along with the District of Columbia City Council, territorial legislatures and Tribal Councils, will all be in session at some point during 2024. This is a time when annual budgets are created, biennial budgets are amended and bills have either passed or failed. The Youth Outdoor Policy Partnership – made up of the Children & Nature Network, the National Caucus of Environmental Legislators (NCEL), Nuestra Tierra and the North American Association of Environmental Education (NAAEE) – created and manages the Youth Outdoor Policy Playbook. This Playbook serves as a resource for state-level policy action and ideas, hosts annual nationwide legislative updates and provides links to legislation passed and pending. The Playbook will be updated and improved throughout 2024. Check it out, and feel free to connect with any of the partners about what you find or what you are looking for in state-level children and nature-focused public policy.

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