“No one will protect what they don’t care about; and no one will care about what they have never experienced” David Attenborough

Children who spend time outdoors learn to love nature and grow up wanting to protect it. In fact, environmental stewardship and connection with place is strongly related to the amount of time we spend immersed in nature when we are children. 

Teachers who have taken part in Outdoor Classroom Day say that playing and learning outdoors gives students an “increased awareness for conservation efforts” and that “environmental understanding can only truly come from being in it.” But today’s children are spending more time indoors than ever before and, as a consequence, are becoming disconnected from the natural world. 

Reestablishing children’s connection to nature is essential: for the environment, for children’s physical and mental health, and as part of a happy childhood.  

The majority of teachers we surveyed (86%) said that playing outdoors helped to develop children’s connection to the environment, and 94% of the teachers involved in a Natural England study reported that outdoor learning led to a greater understanding of nature. That’s why we’re delighted to be working with Earth Cubs to bring you a series of resources to help your class get outside and take action! Children will learn about everything from rainforests to plastic pollution and get ideas for saving the planet while having fun outdoors. 

In the run up to Outdoor Classroom Day and COP26 this November, we’ll be working with our community to build momentum around the issues that children and young people care about and create a massive moment celebrating the importance of the outdoors to children. 

Will you join teachers around the world on 4 November by getting your class outdoors and taking action? Register now.

1 Muddy Hands, Outdoor Classroom Day, 2018.

2 Muddy Hands, Outdoor Classroom Day, 2018.