When little people are scared of something in nature, it’s our job to hold their hand and show them its beauty and purpose.
– Penny Whitehouse

Throughout the United States and Canada, more and more programs that serve children have made the commitment to creating and sustaining beautiful, sensory-rich, nature-filled outdoor classrooms. A growing number of these programs have chosen to become “Certified Nature Explore Classrooms,” meaning they have made the commitment to applying research-based Nature Explore Guiding Principles to their outdoor spaces.

This network of Certified spaces includes small family child care programs to large urban school systems and everything in between. Programs keep in touch and share ideas through a monthly newsletter and other supports.

Interested in certifying your outdoor space?

On March 12, March 19, and March 26, 2026, from  2:00 pm – 3:00 pm United States Eastern Time, Nature Explore is offering a Certification Studio.

Three 1-hour online studio sessions will help programs complete Nature Explore Certification with the support of an expert team, and provide an opportunity to meet others on their outdoor classroom journey.

In the Exchange Reflections, “Outdoor Spaces that Support Thinking and Behavior,” authors Jim Wike, Ken Jaffe and Nancy Rosenow share their expertise on the profound role appropriate indoor and outdoor environmental design has on children’s development.

This Reflections encourages groups to explore effective design, interdisciplinary collaboration, and how to include families to create holistic and nurturing spaces for children.