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Last month, Natural Start participated in an outdoor and nature-based early learning policy convening on Hawaiʻi at the Will Smith Imua Discovery Garden in Wailuku, Maui. The convening was hosted by the National Caucus of Environmental Legislators (NCEL), in partnership with the Youth Outdoor Policy Playbook, Children and Nature Network, Natural Start Alliance, and Imua Family Services.
State legislators—including Hawaiʻi Sen. Troy Hashimoto and Reps. La Chica and Tosa Lobendahn, alongside Colorado Rep. Junie Joseph—joined early learning leaders from Maui and national youth outdoor policy professionals for a guided tour of the outdoor preschool and community spaces, led by Imua Family Services CEO Dean Wong.
The tour was followed by presentations from Kit Harrington of Natural Start and David Beard of Children and Nature Network on expanding access to outdoor and nature-based early learning, as well as insights from Rep. Joseph on her early childhood policy work, including outdoor preschool licensing and Colorado S.B. 24-780. The convening concluded with a roundtable discussion focused on opportunities to support outdoor and nature-based early learning access in Hawaiʻi.
Outdoor and nature-based early learning policies have long been shaped by the leadership of early childhood educators and agency partners within states. Natural Start looks forward to continuing to work alongside leaders on Maui and across Hawaiʻi as they consider next steps.
If you're interested in forming a Hui (network) and connecting with other nature-based, land-based, and place-based early childhood educators and providers in Hawaii, please fill out this interest form.