April 2025 Officially Declared Outdoor Learning Month in New Hampshire
New Hampshire Environmental Educators (NHEE) is excited to announce that Governor Kelly Ayotte has officially proclaimed April 2025 as Outdoor Learning Month in New Hampshire. This proclamation encourages educators, students, and communities to embrace the benefits of outdoor learning, fostering creativity, critical thinking, and environmental stewardship while connecting students to New Hampshire’s unique natural landscapes.
NHEE’s inspiration for submitting the proclamation came from the North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE) Affiliate Network’s Outside for 5 campaign (https://www.outsidefor5.com/), of which NHEE is a proud member. This campaign encourages educators to engage their students in outdoor learning for at least five minutes a day, five days a week, or any meaningful amount of time. By bringing attention to the value of outdoor learning in this way, NHEE hopes to inspire more schools and organizations to make outdoor learning a regular part of their curricula.
“We are thrilled to see the state recognize the immense value of outdoor education,” said NHEE Board President, Lindsay Webb. “Outdoor learning promotes physical and mental well-being, enhances academic engagement, and supports environmental responsibility. April offers a fantastic opportunity to get students outside and engaged with nature.”
A big thank you goes to the Mount Washington Observatory, Harris Center for Conservation Education, Squam Lakes Natural Science Center, and Stonewall Farm for supporting this proclamation. Now, it’s time for all of us to get involved and make April all about outdoor learning!
To help spread the word, NHEE is creating a dedicated webpage where you can find outdoor learning events throughout the month. Email info@nhee.org to add your organization’s events to the list!
As part of this initiative, NHEE is hosting its highly anticipated Annual Conference on March 24, 2025, where educators can gather innovative ideas to incorporate outdoor learning into their classrooms. This year’s conference theme—Connecting to Nature Where You Are—emphasizes the importance of engaging with the natural world, no matter where you are. The conference will feature a wide range of workshops, including Orienteering in Your Space, Active Games to Cultivate Ecological Belonging, and Nature Studies for Every Classroom, all designed to inspire educators to make the outdoors an integral part of their teaching, regardless of location.
“Our conference this year is all about empowering educators to connect with nature right where they are,” said NHEE Conference Chair, Ashleigh Roberts. “Whether you’re teaching in an urban area, on a rural school campus, or in a classroom with limited outdoor space, we’ll show you how to bring nature into your daily lessons. It’s about making outdoor learning accessible, adaptable, and impactful for all educators and students.”
With registration closing on March 16th, educators are encouraged to register early as spots are filling fast. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to explore the benefits of outdoor learning and how to bring nature-based activities into your school community year-round.
For more information about the conference and to register, visit https://nhee.org/about-us/2025-nhee-conference-annual-meeting-march-24th.
Together, let’s make April a month of connection, exploration, and learning in the great outdoors!
About NHEE
The New Hampshire Environmental Educators (NHEE) is a non-profit organization that supports high-quality environmental education and fosters environmental literacy in New Hampshire. Through workshops, conferences, and grants like the NHEE’d to Get Outside Grant, NHEE empowers educators and organizations to inspire a connection to the natural world. For more information, visit https://www.nhee.org.