FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
March 4, 2026
CONTACT:
Camille Soliva
Communications Specialist
csoliva@tenstrands.org
Bill expands outdoor learning in schools to support student well-being and academic success
SACRAMENTO, CA – Assemblymembers Josh Hoover (R-Folsom) and co-author Rhodesia Ransom (D-Tracy) introduced the Outdoor Learning and Environmental Literacy Act of 2026, legislation designed to help California schools expand safe, standards-aligned outdoor learning to support student mental and physical health, engagement, academic achievement, and general well-being. Ten Strands is proud to sponsor this bill.
California schools are struggling to address chronic absenteeism, rising anxiety and depression, widespread student disengagement, and epidemic levels of ADHD, hypertension, myopia and a host of other ailments. Simultaneously, students are experiencing historically high levels of daily and often toxic screen time. Decades of research show that time spent learning outdoors improves students’ attention and concentration, strengthens social and emotional development, decreases stress and behavioral challenges, and increases academic performance. Outdoor learning also provides meaningful, structured alternatives to screen time, helping students reconnect with peers, educators, and their communities.
The legislation formally recognizes outdoor learning as an effective instructional approach and directs the California Superintendent of Public Instruction to develop statewide guidance to support its safe and equitable implementation. The bill preserves local control and does not mandate a specific curriculum; instead, it provides clarity and best practices for districts seeking to use schoolyards, gardens, parks, residential outdoor science schools, and community spaces as extensions of the classroom.
“Outdoor learning is a commonsense, research-backed approach that helps reduce excessive screen time, improve student well-being, and support stronger academic outcomes,” Assemblyman Hoover said. “At a time when our kids are spending more hours than ever on screens, this bill gives schools a practical way to help students reconnect with the natural world while strengthening their focus and academic success.”
“The research is clear that outdoor learning helps students learn more quickly, retain information longer, and improve their social and emotional development,” said Dr. Troy Brown, County Superintendent of Schools, San Joaquin County Office of Education. “Beyond the classroom, the outdoors boosts physical and mental health by increasing activity and reducing the stress and anxiety faced by many of our students.”
“Every child deserves the chance to connect with the natural world, to feel a sense of belonging within it, and to experience its power to heal and inspire awe. Yet for too many young people, meaningful time outdoors remains out of reach,” said Blanca Hernández, Director of Programs & Partnerships at YES Nature to Neighborhoods. “This proposed legislation will empower schools and community organizations to break down barriers and ensure that students facing the greatest challenges can fully benefit from the richness of California’s natural areas.”
“As a pediatrician, I see every day how children’s bodies and minds respond to their environment,” said Dr. Nooshin Razani, Pediatrician and Director, Center for Nature and Health at University of California, San Francisco. “When children have the opportunity to learn outdoors, they play, move, observe, breathe fresh air, and learn in community. The result is measurable improvements in attention, mood, stress physiology, and overall health and learning. AB 2158 gives educators the support they need to use California’s outdoor spaces as powerful classrooms, and importantly, helps ensure all California’s children have access to our amazing natural resources.”
“Outdoor learning is not only a high-impact practice for deep learning, but it creates meaningful opportunities for students to apply their academic content in authentic, real-world outdoor settings,” said Karina Salazar, Principal of Franklin Avenue Elementary School in Los Angeles, California.
In addition, the bill establishes a three-year Statewide Outdoor Learning Pilot Program, operative only upon appropriation, to evaluate student outcomes and inform future legislative decisions. The pilot will include geographic diversity and prioritize communities historically underserved or disproportionately burdened by environmental harms.
“We are proud to partner with Assemblyman Hoover in sponsoring AB 2158 to advance safe, equitable outdoor learning opportunities,” said Karen Cowe, founding CEO of Ten Strands. “This bill will strengthen student engagement and well-being, support academic success, and help prepare the next generation to be thoughtful stewards of California’s environment.”
California previously established environmental literacy as a statewide priority through SB 720 (Allen, 2018). This new bill builds on that foundation by clarifying that outdoor environments can serve as powerful instructional settings across subjects, including science, history-social science, English language arts, mathematics, and the arts.
By strengthening guidance and building statewide capacity, the Outdoor Learning and Environmental Literacy Act of 2026 will ensure that all California students, regardless of zip code, have access to learning experiences that support academic success, reduce stress, and encourage healthy engagement beyond screens.
Read the full bill text here.
Learn how you can support here.
