Children playing near riverbank.
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With the Outdoor School for All Minnesota Act now signed into law, a new statewide grant program will expand access to overnight outdoor education for students across the state. Passed with bipartisan support as part of the 2025 Environment Omnibus Bill and signed by Governor Tim Walz, this landmark legislation is opening doors to transformative learning experiences in nature for students in grades 4–12.
The grassroots advocacy behind this effort is exemplary and deeply aligned with the broader nature-based learning movement. Minnesota’s work draws inspiration from Washington and Oregon—states that have successfully advanced statewide licensing processes specific to nature-based programs, directly benefiting the field of nature-based early learning and setting important policy precedents nationwide.
Natural Start is proud to support and amplify policy efforts like this across the country through our National Outdoor and Nature-Based Early Learning Policy Huddle and Regional Network Alliance. Together, these initiatives build collective expertise and expand capacity to advance state-level policies that ensure young children have equitable access to outdoor, nature-based early learning experiences.
We are so excited by—and incredibly proud of—the work being done in Minnesota, and we extend a huge congratulations to every advocate, organizer, and policymaker who helped make this vision a reality. To read the full story of Minnesota's Outdoor School for All program, from idea to impact, follow the link below.