At Ten Strands, we act as a catalyst, transforming systems to bring high-quality environmental education to all students. Our Q&A this month features Seaberry Nachbar, whose twenty-five years at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) perfectly embody this mission....
When buses stopped running at the start of the pandemic in 2020, so did many of the connections between California’s public school students and their public lands. But for some, the connection was never fully broken—because the pathway had already...
At the heart of Solano County Office of Education’s (SCOE) outdoor learning initiatives are California’s Environmental Principles & Concepts (EP&Cs). These five principles guide educators in connecting classroom content to real-world environmental systems and challenges. Through professional learning sessions and...
California’s Children Face a Growing Crisis A significant share of kids in our California public schools are really going through it. They are struggling with challenges that erode their well-being, learning, and sense of belonging. The outdoor and environmental learning...
How Green Light Get Outside Is Expanding Access to Outdoor Learning When I think about the students we serve at Green Light Get Outside (Green Light GO), I think of resilience—often forged by necessity—and of untapped potential. I think of...
Ever notice how students light up when they step outside? Whether it’s the fresh air, the open space, or the chance to move freely, nature has a way of awakening curiosity, deepening learning, and sparking joy. Learning in nature boosts...
“I have a dream.” These words are familiar and powerful. They shaped and continue to inspire a major American movement, but they’re also the words I used at Back to School Night this past August, as I met with the...
This article is the second in a series featuring the formation and progress of a coalition to carry out a statewide California Campaign for Outdoor Learning. The first article is here. Want to get involved? Contact cstrang@berkeley.edu or croyer@tenstrands.org. For...
I hadn’t been at the San Joaquin County Office of Education (SJCOE) as a new associate superintendent for very long before I had an opportunity to visit our Durham Ferry Outdoor Education Center. Situated on a bend of the San...
A comprehensive 2021 United Nations report underscores the severity of Earth’s “triple environmental emergency”: climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution (UN 2021). This interlinked crisis, often called a “poly-crisis,” weaves together multiple global challenges—including food and water scarcity, mass migration,...
