Member Spotlight

Woodland Star International School is situated among lush tea fields in Kenya's highlands. The school is Reggio Emilia inspired and takes a project approach to learning so that children can explore nature and sustainability.

At Dondero Elementary, Forest Fridays began with just two classrooms exploring the wooded area behind their school. Today, more than half of the schools' classes participate and the two teachers who started the program hope sharing their experience can help others begin similar programs in public schools.

Get to know Natural Start member, Little Leaf, a nature preschool enrolling children ages 2-5, with three locations in New York state.

The Chicago Zoological Society's Hamill Family Play Zoo at Brookfield Zoo engages families in child-centered nature play. Educators from a variety of backgrounds can learn from the zoo's "play partners" in the NatureStart professional development program.

Bija is a holistic early childhood program in New York with a focus on mindfulness, the arts, social justice work, food, and farming. Its founder and director, Lauren Maples, shares some tips and examples for incorporating mindfulness into any early childhood program.

Imua Inclusion Preschool is a place-based preschool on the Hawaiian Island of Maui, where every child’s social, emotional, physical, and educational needs are met through individualized instruction.

Cocoplum Nature School provides nature-based programs that emphasize unstructured play and children’s innate connection to nature.

San Antonio Zoo has been home to nature-based preschool and nature play area for over ten years.

Elements Preschool was created to provide children living in the heart of NYC with daily access to nature and nature-based activities and education.

For this month’s Member Spotlight, Natural Start sat down with Amanda McMickle, Vice President of Education at Cibolo Center for Conservation. We discussed her career so far, important pieces of advice she’s received, and how to network when you’re an introvert. Watch the interview here.

Kindergarten students at Newington Elementary wanted to green their school, and they literally took matters into their own hands. The students worked together with their teacher to turn a bare, muddy patch of ground in front of their school into a welcoming garden.

Meet Rebecca Wolf, director of the brand new Forest Nursery program at Queens Botanical Garden in Queens, NY.