Although we can make changes in our own families and schools, we can also help bring nature-based education to more children by becoming effective advocates for children. We've gathered resources to help you connect with organizations, find innovative programs, locate advocacy groups in your state, and take action on your own.
Advocacy Tools
Find resources to help you take action on your own by talking with legislators, writing press releases, and more.
ONB Policy Organizations:
Connect with organizations working on the state level to connect children with nature, provide great early childhood education opportunities, and promote other actions that support early learners.
Primary State Policy Partners:
Natural Start works collaborates with a number of partners to advance state level ONB Policy. Alongside Regional Networks and State Agencies, the National Institute for Early Education Research (NIEER) and National Wildlife Federation (NWF) Early Childhood Health Outdoors (ECHO) represent key partners supporting state-level policy efforts relating to outdoor and nature based early learning policy.
Other State Allies Advancing Change:
In every state, groups are working for change on behalf of young children. The following can help you connect with affiliate groups in your state:
- National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) State Affiliates
- North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE) State Affiliates
National Partners Supporting ONB Policy:
Additional partners of Natural Start working to to connect children with nature, provide great early childhood education opportunities, and promote other actions that support early learners include:
- Center on the Developing Child, Harvard University
- Children's Environmental Health Network
- Children and Nature Network
- National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)
- National Black Child Development Institute (NBCDI)
- New America