Nature-Based Learning

Nature-Based Learning

Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy’s Peterson Young Naturalist program is an example of Nature-Based Learning (NBL). The philosophy of this increasingly popular movement is to provide a flexible approach to incorporating nature into the learning experience. It’s flexible because it recognizes that nature can be the classroom or the teacher, because lessons incorporating natural elements can occur both inside or outside the classroom, and because it can be applied to any learning goal or subject matter.

Our teacher professional development for the Peterson program has provided literacy, science, math and social-emotional learning outcomes since 2010. We know that children aren’t getting outside as much as they need to, and research shows that many health outcomes are improved and supported for a lifetime when we ensure they do, including benefits to mental health, academic performance, self-confidence, focus, social interactions and so much more.

Loudoun Wildlife is committed to providing the proven benefits of NBL to more Loudoun County students than ever before in days ahead. Look for more exciting news on our NBL initiatives coming soon, including the development of a new NBL web portal that will offer information to the public and support for our NBL teachers.

In the meantime, come with us on our mission to enhance learning outcomes for our children! We are committed to providing resources and developing standards-aligned lessons for you to use with your children or your students. We know you’ll enjoy them, too!

Questions? Contact Loudoun Wildlife Director of Education Tracey Baroody at tbaroody@loudounwildlife.org.