All Resources

Explore all resources from the Natural Start Alliance, from articles to webinars. 

Use the filters below to focus your search. 

Blue green logo with white lettering and the words "Nature Everywhere Conference"

Nature Everywhere Conference

Join Senior Policy Advisor Kit Harrington, and other amazing nature-based early educators presenting at the Children and Nature Network's Nature Everywhere Conference in St Paul Minnesota, May 13-17.
April 2025 Blueberry Webinar flier

Announcing the Blueberry Literary Award Winners

The Natural Start Alliance continues its partnership with the Evanston Public Library to bring you the best in children’s books about nature connection and environmental stewardship!

Resource Type

  • Webinar
IJECEE Cover Winter 2024

Volume 12, Number 1

In this issue of Volume 12, read articles covering nature connectedness, nature playgardens and learning environments, Indigenous education in early childhood, nature attachment theory, and more.

Resource Type

  • Journal
  • Research
children doing leaf art on tree stump

Advocacy: Action

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.

Resource Type

  • Resource Collection
two children with building blocks

Advocacy Tools

By taking action on behalf of children, we can help ensure that all young children get better education, more opportunities to connect with nature and the environment. Includes helpful resources for following legislation, getting tips for becoming an effective advocate, and more.

Resource Type

  • Resource Collection

Starting a Nature Preschool

Interested in launching a new nature preschool program? We've compiled some of our best resources to help you develop a plan to create a sustainable program that's safe, effective, and inclusive.

Resource Type

  • Resource Collection
smiling children outdoors

Nature Preschools in the United States: 2022 National Survey

Preschools in which children play and learn outside for the majority of the school day—called nature preschools—are continuing to rapidly expand across the United States, according to Natural Start’s newest report, Nature Preschools in the United States: 2022 Survey.

Resource Type

  • Publication
Confident, Satisfied Visionary Kid in Tree

Intro to Wilderness Mental Health First Responder

Natural Start and Nicole Thurrell of IWEM held this webinar (March 2025), exploring the very best of what is known about nervous system regulation and how we can bring our best, most resilient selves to the world.

Resource Type

  • Webinar
digging into nature book cover

Digging into Nature

Dr. Tandon and Dr. Glassy offered a wealth of suggestions for nature-based activities and suggestions for overcoming common challenges busy families face when trying to increase their outdoor time. The authors addressed the importance of nature for children’s health at every age from infancy through adolescence and linked their suggested activities to key developmental milestones.

Resource Type

  • Webinar
blueberry award 2024

Announcing the Blueberry Literary Award Winners

The Natural Start Alliance is happy to continue its partnership with the Evanston Public Library to bring you the best in children’s books about nature connection and environmental stewardship. The Blueberry Award is a literary award that honors books about nature — the first of its kind. During a webinar on March 15, 2024, the award committee, organized through Evanston Public Library, reviewed 2023 Blueberry Award book winners and honors with the Natural Start community!

Resource Type

  • Webinar
fork in path in forest

Non-Profit or For-Profit? Finding the Best Path for Your Program

As programs navigate all of the varied considerations in operating a nature-based education program, an important question is: Should my program operate as a non-profit or for-profit venture? This webinar provides an overview of a new resource to help programs considering their options.

Resource Type

  • Webinar
children reading on grass

Multiple Language Learning in Nature-Based Classrooms

Nearly a quarter of all children in the US speak a language other than English in the home. In some states, that percentage is over a third, and in some urban areas, more than half of children may be learning multiple languages. How can we best support children in their language learning outdoors, and are there elements of nature-based, outdoor learning that are particularly helpful in language learning? Join us to hear some of the latest research and learn from programs that have made nature and language learning central in their curriculum.

Resource Type

  • Webinar