April is outdoor learning month in New Hampshire

This April, New Hampshire officially recognizes Outdoor Learning Month as a statewide invitation for schools and communities to take learning beyond the classroom walls.

This milestone reflects years of leadership from the New Hampshire Environmental Educators (NHEEd), whose advocacy helped bring the North American Association for Environmental Education Affiliate Network's “Outside for 5” campaign to New Hampshire. The campaign encourages educators to get students outside, even for just five minutes a day, to support student well-being and nurture their connection to the natural world.

Why It Matters

Across the nation and beyond, educators are seeing that time outside not only provides a whole-child approach to teaching, but benefits like: 

• Reduced stress and improved emotional regulation^{1, 2}
• Increased focus, creativity, and engagement³
• Strengthened communication and collaboration skills¹
• Lasting connections to place and community^{4, 5} 

For many students, outdoor spaces create opportunities to feel successful, connected, and present in ways that traditional classrooms may not always be able to provide. Similarly, when provided administrative support and guidance, educators have reported positive outcomes ranging from an increased sense of independence to overall well-being.² 

From Advocacy to Action

While schools play a vital role in prioritizing outdoor learning and youth wellness, they cannot do this work alone. Creating meaningful, sustainable opportunities for outdoor learning requires strong community support and collaboration. Organizations like the New Hampshire Environmental Educators (NHEEd) help make this possible by providing resources, advocacy, and funding that extend beyond awareness alone. Through initiatives such as the Get Outside Grant, NHEEd has helped schools and programs expand access to outdoor learning experiences.

These investments have directly supported partnerships like All-Terrain Learning Adventures (ATLAS) a collaboration between UNH Extension Health & Well-Being and the Southeast Land Trust of New Hampshire (SELT). Grant funding has reduced barriers to participation and expanded nature-based social and emotional learning opportunities through low-cost camps and school-based programming for partnering districts. Together, these community partnerships strengthen schools’ efforts and reinforce that outdoor learning is most impactful when it is a shared commitment.

Getting Started

Outdoor Learning Month is not about adding something new, but instead an invitation to rethink where learning can happen. Simple steps include:

• Taking a lesson outside
• Starting the day with a brief mindful moment outdoors
• Using schoolyard spaces for hands-on exploration
• Encouraging curiosity, movement, and connection in natural settings 

Even seemingly small shifts in practice can create meaningful impacts such as building stronger connections, supporting student well-being, and reinforcing a lasting culture of outdoor learning. With support from organizations like NHEEd and community-based programs such as ATLAS, New Hampshire continues to grow a shared vision where outdoor learning is accessible, valued, and woven into everyday practice. As we recognize April as Outdoor Learning Month, we invite educators, families, and community partners to step outside with intention, collaborate boldly, and invest in the environments that help our young people thrive.

References:

1. McCormick, R. (2017). Does Access to Green Space Impact the Mental Well-being of Children: A Systematic Review. Journal of Pediatric Nursing, 37, 3–7. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pedn.2017.08.027
2. Waite, S., Aronsson, J. (2022). Some Impacts on Health and Wellbeing from School-Based Outdoor Learning. In: Jucker, R., von Au, J. (eds) High-Quality Outdoor Learning. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-04108-2_9
3. Kuo, M., Barnes, M., & Jordan, C. (2022). Do Experiences with Nature Promote Learning? Converging Evidence of a Cause-And-Effect Relationship. In J. von Au & R. Jucker (Eds.), High-Quality Outdoor Learning (pp. 47–66). Springer International Publishing AG. https://doi.org/10.1007/9783031041082_3
4. Mygind, E., Bølling, M. (2022). Pupils’ Well-Being, Mental and Social Health. In: Jucker, R., von Au, J. (eds) High-Quality Outdoor Learning. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-04108-2_8
5. Passy, R., & Blackwell, I. (2022). Natural Connections: Learning About Outdoor-Based Learning. In J. von Au & R. Jucker (Eds.), High-Quality Outdoor Learning (pp. 321–334). 

The University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension is an equal opportunity educator and employer. UNH, U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, and New Hampshire counties cooperating. Direct inquires to unh.civilrights@unh.edu.