Educational Resources
A selection of excellent teaching resources including ready-to-go activities and great databases to search for additional resources. Most recently added are at the top. Found 219 Resources.
Looking for something specific? Refine your search by clicking on one or more category!
Showing 219 Resources
Paths For Implementing Natural Play Spaces: A Guide for Public Managers
Alana has a mission of guaranteeing rights on a global scale and focuses on long-term socio-environmental changes. They promote the rights of children and children’s ways of being.
Criança E Natureza defends the right for children to live in healthy environments and deepen their bond with nature. They dream of more children in nature and more nature for children; greener, more accessible and child-friendly cities; greener, more challenging school spaces connected to their territories; nature as essential for health and good living; and climate and socio-environmental justice for all children.
Guide On Natural Play Structures And Furniture
Alana has a mission of guaranteeing rights on a global scale and focuses on long-term socio-environmental changes. They promote the rights of children and children’s ways of being.
Criança E Natureza defends the right for children to live in healthy environments and deepen their bond with nature. They dream of more children in nature and more nature for children; greener, more accessible and child-friendly cities; greener, more challenging school spaces connected to their territories; nature as essential for health and good living; and climate and socio-environmental justice for all children.
Schoobio
Schoobio empowers middle and high school teachers and students across the globe. Teachers use experiential and place-based learning methods, unleashing the potential for ecological school grounds to increase biocultural diversity and connect students with the natural world.
landED MB Resources
landED is an educational program that offers land-based design and environmental learning through a variety of resources, tools, and workshops. This program is designed to help communities engage with and enhance their outdoor spaces.
landED MB Green Guide
landED Green Guide includes lesson plans and activities for all ages and abilities, it encourages critical investigations, information collection, assessments, and monitoring improvements to better understand the environment we live in.
Ever Active Resources
A resource hub from Ever Active Schools, with focus areas including: Active Travel, Alternative Environments, DPA, Equity and Inclusion, FMS, For Staff, Return to Learn, and Social Emotional Learning. Don’t miss their selection of free downloadable resources as well!
Rupertsland Centre for Teaching and Learning
Rupertsland Centre for Teaching and Learning (RCTL) proudly offers a large selection of Métis Education Resources for lifelong learning. “Visiting with the Land” is a series of videos with guiding questions to support learning about Métis’ relationships with the land. “Visiting with the Land” can teach learners how to live in respectful connection with the land, including waters, animals, plants, and all our relations.
Plant Heroes
We’re here to help kids explore plants and forest systems by providing parents and educators free, plant-teaching ideas and other nature learning resources. By teaching kids about plants, insects and ecosystems, we can empower youth to be agents of positive environmental change. Most of our materials are available in three languages: English, Spanish, and Simplified Chinese.
Play Everywhere Playbook
Leveraging both our own play infrastructure expertise and our successful collaborations with cities and partners, we’ve explored, encouraged and developed a number of successful approaches to creating kid-friendly cities with equitable access to safe, quality play experiences. With input and insight from city and community leaders, health experts, urban planners and affected families, we’ve created this toolkit – the Play Everywhere Playbook.
Outdoor Opportunity Legislative Toolkit
The goal of this toolkit is to provide state legislators, agency staff, and partners with a framework and resources for
establishing state-level outdoor opportunity funds and grant programs. It aims to offer ideas for place-based flexibility
acknowledging resource differences among states. The toolkit is intended to be used in conjunction with input from
grassroots/local organizations and communities.
Climate Change Education Resource Hub
Green Teacher compiled activity books, frameworks for climate change education, games, podcasts, recorded presentations, scholarship, and other websites and online programs to help assist those looking to learn more and bolster their teaching practice around the topic of climate change.
Climate Change & Early Childhood Resources
A growing number of extreme weather events—heat, wildfires, poor air quality—are increasingly keeping children indoors. Young children have a developmental need for regular outdoor play, yet they are the most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. Professionals – from EC program providers to architects – are getting creative as they navigate these challenges.
Nature Future Virtual Art Exhibit
This art exhibit is an opportunity for you and your children/students to discuss, learn, and challenge critical issues related to nature access and racial and environmental justice and imagine a nature-filled and just future! Explore the resources to help children understand the world they live in and share their vision to create the just, nature-filled world we wish to see.
Climate Mental Health Network (K-12)
Our mission is to provide access to education, tools, programs, and support designed to help individuals and communities recognize the signs and manage the emotional impacts of climate change. Check out their parent resources as well! #ClimateMentalHealth
Ressources pédagogiques
La Fondation Monique-Fitz-Back a été créée afin de poursuivre l’œuvre de Monique Fitz-Back. Concrètement, la Fondation : conçoit des outils pédagogiques, de sensibilisation, de conscientisation et d’engagement du public.
Ressources pédagogiques par niveau :
tous les niveaux, préscolaire, primarie, secondaire, collégial, universitaire
Bees and Pollinators Learning Package
In Summer 2022, Green Teacher and Friends of the Earth Canada collaborated on a special themed issue (# 132) of Green Teacher magazine dedicated to wild native bees. This comprehensive learning package collects the six articles (all of which appeared in the magazine) and six educational activities from that project.
Environmental Action Civics Resources
Environmental Action Civics is an educational approach where youth work in partnership with adults to identify a local environmental issue and engage with community members to take action by advocating for systemic changes to policies or practices.
A central element of Environmental Action Civics is a commitment to prepare youth, especially those from historically marginalized communities, to engage in local environmental decision making now and in the future.
Active Play for Early Years
Early childhood education resources to get children engaged in physically active play every day. Active play is essential in the early years for fostering physical literacy and child brain development.
OutsidePlay.org
This tool is designed for elementary school teachers. There are four themes to explore which offer valuable insights and hands-on resources to begin locating play and learning outdoors. The 16 modules cover topics that teachers most want to know about, ranging from the basics of outdoor play and learning in schools to practical tips on getting started.
Risk-Benefit Assessment Toolkit for Outdoor Play
The toolkit is designed to help practitioners and agencies gain confidence in allowing children to play freely outside, and resist the pressure to overprotect children and over-regulate their play. It takes a balanced approach to risk and safety. It contains introductory material, forms, and checklists, and resources that will increase your confidence in leading children as they play and learn outdoors.
Climate Ready School Grounds
Climate Ready School Grounds explores using school grounds to address the impacts of climate change whilst creating outdoor environments that support learning and play. The project offers a suite of resources to help schools, local authorities, and design professionals create climate ready school grounds.
Forest Schooled
Free downloadable guides, posters, handouts, and worksheets that help with planning or to explain topics related to Nature-rooted Learning.
Earth Rangers Homeroom
We know how busy your classroom is, so we’ve created easy-to-use resources to ignite passion in your students. This is a one-stop shop for environmental learning. With concise and engaging material, we want to help you get the job done!
Water Rangers Lessons & Resources
Helpful worksheets and presentation slides that you can download and use with your students. Lakes, streams, ponds or oceans — any water body can become our classroom. Curriculum connections can also be found for Ontario, Quebec, and British Columbia.
ANROE Resources
Online resources for parents and educators from the Alaska Natural Resource & Outdoor Education Association.
“Exploring the Outdoors” resource collection
As our climate changes, the Association of Canadian Educational Resources (ACER) supports communities with grass-roots initiatives to plant trees and educate participants in measuring, monitoring and reporting on tree health and growth.
Pride Resources: For the World We Want
It is essential that we center queer environmentalists and activists in environmental education. The following resources strive to broaden understanding of climate justice and cultivate inclusive spaces in learning environments. This is not a comprehensive list of resources but is provided as a starting point for further scholarship and inspiration.
Indigenous Land-Based Learning
The “Indigenous land-based learning: A learning perspective” resource was developed to demonstrate the journey of four ETFO writers whose perspectives of Indigenous land-based learning grew through a process of self-reflection, an interview with an Indigenous advisor (knowledge holder) and exploration and summary of relevant resources and tips for educators.
Genocide in Canada: A Legal Explanation
Filled with incredible and haunting art, this booklet provides a clear legal explanation of Canada’s genocide against Indigenous people. Written by Fannie Lafontaine with illustrations by Chloloula, and published by the Native Women Association of Canada.
Resources for NIPD
On National Indigenous Peoples Day, we are taking time to acknowledge the foundational importance of Indigenous knowledge and perspectives in outdoor learning. Please join us in reflection and learning along the path of truth & reconciliation in land-based learning. We have compiled some suggested resources as a starting point – visit our Indigenous-focused Resources page for more!
Practitioner Guide to Assessing Connection to Nature
The 63-page guide provides 11 tools and approaches that you can use to assess connection to nature, and it includes copies of those tools for easy access. The guide is also designed to help you choose the right tool for your needs, whether you work with young children, teenagers, or adults.
FINCH (Families Into Nature Connecting and Helping) Resource Booklet
A practical guide packed with helpful information and guidance for community groups and families. It’s designed to help you discover simple nature-based activities, helping to connect with nature and encourage action to help its preservation.
Office for Climate Education Resources
A searchable database of education resources including class activities, multimedia activities, special topics in climate science, videos, and teacher pro-d. Some resources are also available in French, Spanish, or German.
UNESCO MGIEP Courses
UNESCO MGIEP provides a truly unique offering of digital courses, embedded with Social and Emotional Learning, designed by industry experts for K-12 students, teachers and the youth. Courses include: Climate Change, Biodiversity & Human Well-Being, Global Citizenship, and more!
ACEE Resources Hub
The Resource Hub is your one-stop tool for finding new resources, programs, professional development, and grants to support environmental and energy education in your classroom in keeping with the 2019 K-12 Environmental Education Guidelines for Excellence, published by the North American Association for Environmental Education.
LSF Climate Learning
The purpose of this guide is to present opportunities to evolve students’ understanding of the climate and climate change, assess the risks and opportunities to mitigate and adapt to the changing climate, unpack ethical dimensions, and honour emotions that are part of the process of coming to understand the complexity and urgency of the issue. Most importantly, this guide aims to engage students in contributing to solutions in their schools, communities and homes.
WWF Teaching Resources
Choose from a variety of toolkits featuring information guides and activities about some of WWF’s priority species and conservation goals. These subject-integrated lessons are perfect for school, home, or any learning environment and will leave kids with an understanding of how their actions help shape the future of nature.
Ocean Wise Education Kits
Informed by the latest science and research from our own conservation initiatives, each kit addresses the interdisciplinary issues of climate change. Each education kit is available for elementary school (grades 3 to 6), middle school (grades 7 to 8), and high school (grades 9 to 12), and translated in both French and English. Each kit has a theme spread out over seven lessons and includes a teacher tool kit and student workbook.
Seed Stewardship Project
In 2022, FarmFolk CityFolk and Farm to School BC (a program of the Public Health Association of BC) worked together to bring seed stewardship, production and training to schools across BC. We have created a collection of seed saving presentations, games, and resources that help educators bring seed saving training to their classrooms, school programs, nature camps, and more!
LSF Resource Database
LSF can help you link your students’ learning to sustainability with high-quality classroom resources for all grades and subjects. Includes resources, pedagogy, lesson plans, and classroom resources.
Race and Nature in the City
This report provides an evidence-based, community-informed needs assessment and makes recommendations for meaningfully engaging racialized communities in nature and nature-based programming in urban areas.
Lessons From the Earth & Beyond
Educator resources bringing Indigenous knowledge systems into the classroom. Lesson plans, curriculum connections, and inquiry-based activities for learners from K – Gr 10.
Whose Land Lesson Plans
We collaborated with Anishinaabe educator Christine M’lot to develop lessons broken into three grade levels that serve to teach students about the land they are learning on by viewing and creating original land acknowledgements and being introduced to complex topics concepts such as who Indigenous people are, what the term settler refers to and notions such as broken promises and renewed commitments to share the land.
Reconciliation Through Indigenous Education
A free 6-week Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) to help you envision how Indigenous histories, perspectives, worldviews, and approaches to learning can be made part of the work we do in classrooms, organizations, communities, and our everyday experiences in ways that are thoughtful and respectful.
Indigenous Canada course
Indigenous Canada is a free, virtual 12-lesson Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) from the Faculty of Native Studies that explores the different histories and contemporary perspectives of Indigenous peoples living in Canada. Delivered in English with a variety of subtitles available.
The Gaia Project
The Gaia Project is New Brunswick based and founded in 2009, and they use a unique approach to empower youth to take action. They incorporate inquiry-based education, curriculum links, and local action in each of their projects. All programs are offered in French and English in all school districts.
Climate Change Educators Community Hub
The Climate Change Educators Community Hub website is a platform administered by the New Brunswick Environmental Network (NBEN) for teachers, profs, and educators of all kinds to exchange knowledge and ideas, share best practices and lesson plans, keep up-to-date on the latest climate change education research, and stay connected with other educators in New Brunswick. This website is a Community of Practice in action!
Active Start
Active Start, an initiative tailored for children under 4, is run through Active for Life, a Canadian non-profit. Signing up for Active Start provides a monthly newsletter tailored specifically to the child’s age and is filled with activities, games, ideas and tips designed to help children love being active as they grow and develop.
Active for Life
Active for Life is a Canadian not-for-profit social initiative founded by B2ten. They are a national initiative created to help adults give children the right start in life through the development of physical literacy. Resources can be filtered for use by either parents or professionals, and include lesson plans and log sheets.
NAAEE: Outside for 5
Take the “Outside for 5” pledge to invest in the health and well-being of your school community, and get inspired to start your journey with a sampling of helpful resources, curriculum, and ideas for learning outdoors!
Physical Education Lesson Plans
These physical education lesson plans are available for grades K-3, 4-6, 7-9 and 10-12. They were developed for teachers by experienced Alberta physical education specialists. Each lesson consists of two activities, a warm it up, and a whoop it up.
Natural Start Alliance Resources
Natural Start is a project of the North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE). Natural Start’s role within NAAEE is to promote and support environmental education for young children.
The Alliance publishes original research in early childhood environmental education and resources to support nature-based education, and also provides a platform to share resources and research as a professional community.
Future Leaders Lesson Plans
The Future Leaders program provides engaging environmental education and resources to K-12 students and teachers connected to environmental topics in Banff, Canmore, Exshaw and Mînî Thnî (Morley).
Supporting Children with Disabilities/Exceptionalities Outside
A podcast episode and some takeaways about supporting children with disabilities and exceptionalities outdoors.
Association for Experiential Education Resource Library
Originally started in March 2020 during the beginning of the COVID-19 Pandemic, the Community Resource Library was created as a place for resource sharing among the community. AEE continues to work to bring the Experiential community together to exchange ideas and information through this free library.
Thrive Outside
Thrive Outside is the Child and Nature Alliance of Canada’s newest (and free!) outdoor learning and play resource portal, available now! Designed by educators, for educators, Thrive Outside helps to re-imagine what back to school can look like beyond the classroom.
S’épanouir en plein air
S’épanouir à l’extérieur est le tout nouveau portail de ressources sur l’apprentissage et les jeux en plein air de l’Alliance pour l’enfant et la nature du Canada, disponible dès maintenant (et gratuitement !). Conçu par des éducateurs, pour des éducateurs, S’épanouir dehors aide à réimaginer ce que peut être la rentrée des classes au-delà de la salle de classe.
Université de Sherbrooke: Chaire de recherche sur l’éducation en plein air
Faire progresser les connaissances et les pratiques dans le domaine de l’enseignement et l’apprentissage en plein air en contexte scolaire.
École en Réseau: Ressources aux écoles
Les ressources ÉER visent à initier des activités en réseau et à faciliter les apprentissages!
Curiosité naturelle, 2e édition: Ressource pour l’enseignante ou l’enseignant
L’importance du point de vue autochtone dans l’enquête dans l’environnement de l’enfant.
Indigenous Harvest Calendar
An education project by NH Farm to School in collaboration with the NH Indigenous Collaborative Collective and the Cowasuck Band of the Pennacook-Abenaki People.
Conservation Optimism Resources
Conservation Optimism is a global community dedicated to inspiring and empowering people around the world to make a positive difference for nature. We are committed to fostering effective action, interest and wonder in the natural world, across generations, borders, languages, and cultures.
The Outdoor PLAYbook
As a “How-To Guidebook,” the Outdoor PLAYbook offers a selection of leading research and best practices for school grounds in the following areas: landscape architecture, sustainable design, economic and phasing strategies, child development, injury prevention, and outdoor educational opportunities.
Teacher’s Toolbox: A Forest Education Guide
This toolbox is intended to assist educators in grades 4 through 8, in bringing forest concepts and resources into their teaching practice. Each section provides an overview of a forest concept and links to related Forests Ontario resources as accompaniments to the subjects.
NAAEE: eePRO
eePRO is the global online community for everyone who cares about education and creating a more just and sustainable future. Connect with other EE professionals, participate in discussions in eePRO groups, and find and share resources, events, and opportunities! And don’t miss their topic-specific resource compilations.
Nature For All Resources
#NatureForAll is a global movement to inspire love of nature and support its conservation. Join in by using the hashtag #NatureForAll, exploring the Discovery Zone of resources, the Playbook Action Guide, toolkits, and more.
PHE Canada Programs
Ensure your children are receiving the very best physical activity and physical and health education programming designed to be inclusive, fun, and support the development of the whole child.
Circular Economy Ambassador Program
The Circular Economy Ambassador Program is an annual program that Canadian teachers carry out in their classrooms to educate children and youth about the harmful effects of plastic pollution and what they can do to have a positive impact. The Program Overview can be found here, while the main webpage is here.
Eight Practices to Advance Youth Health & Wellbeing Through Outdoor Education
This Evidence Brief summarizes key terms and messages, barriers and facilitators to participation, and eight practices for advancing youth health and wellbeing through outdoor education.
The Global Energy Transition Explained
“A new energy economy is emerging around the world as solar, wind, electric vehicles and other low-carbon technologies flourish.” – the International Energy Agency (IEA) What is an energy transition? A case study for Highschool students
Discover the Fun of Backyard Geology
Free outdoor-based project adaptable for children of all ages.
imaginED
imaginED is a blog designed to support and enable imagination-focused teaching in all contexts ages.
Playful Learning Outdoors
Playful outdoor learning activity resources for curriculum development/facilitation
Experiential Learning Toolkits and Modules
Free experiential learning resources for curriculum development/facilitation including toolkits and modules.
Outdoor Learning and Schools Reopening
Benefits of outdoor learning for schools reopening during COVID-19 and a sample of how daily outdoor classroom can be facilitated.
Classroom Management: Outdoor Teaching Strategies
Suggestions for outdoor classroom curious teachers, grouping recommendations, lesson planning tips, outdoor activity recommendations.
Outdoor Classroom Users Guide
A how-to guide on facilitating outdoor classrooms including sustainable designing, biodiversity recommendations, classroom management tips and how to structure lessons.
Ideas and Inspiration for School-Based Physical Activity from Norway
A research report on school-based physical activity in Norway and the transferability to Canadian Classrooms (Nova Scotia).
Forest and Nature School in Canada
“The role of this guide is to help educators and the communities that surround and support them, (such as administrators, facilities staff, parents, licensing officials, etc.), to learn more about Forest and Nature School (FNS) and what this model of education offers Canadian children.”
Get Outdoors: An Educators Guide to Outdoor Classrooms
Step-by-step guide for teachers from K – 12 in getting their students outside and engaged in experiencing the outdoor classroom.
A Carbon Almanac for Kids
Kids can learn (and teach) about climate change from this free book. Already a hit with families and schools around the world.
Climate Change Communication
This online course will provide educators and volunteers with information about the drivers, impacts, and solutions of climate change, as well as strategies for talking about climate change in an informal education environment.
Natural Curiosity Self-Guided Learning Series
Freely accessible professional learning program in support of environmental and Indigenous education across Turtle Island for all.
Designed for self-guided learning, this free program includes a 5-part instructional video series that provides an introductory exploration of Natural Curiosity’s four-branch environmental inquiry framework, deepened by Indigenous perspectives.
7 Principles of Outdoor Ethics
Leave No Trace is a national and international program designed to assist outdoor enthusiasts with their decisions about how to reduce their impacts when they spend time outdoors, based on their central Seven Principles (check out this short PDF version!). Their resource library includes stats, research, training methods, and a selection of options in French as well.
From Acknowledgement to Action: Connecting to the Land Through Natural Curiosity
This 1-page resource is an invitation for educators to explore learning in relationship to the land through the four branches of Natural Curiosity. The reflective prompts embedded in each branch allow for reflection of past, present, and future, and also encourage educators to really listen to the students and learn alongside them, from the land.
Aboriginal Resources for Teachers
A resources intended to provide some ideas of how to take learning outdoors and at the same time, building connections to Indigenous ways of knowing and being.
CBEEN Educational Resources
A summary of excellent resources available to support both classroom and community-based environmental education programs.
Free & Fun Outdoor Learning Activities, Games & Projects
A resource supporting students’ learning & health right in their schoolyard, backyard or in nearby nature.
Keeping the wild in sight: Our nature-based curriculum for Kindergarten to Grade 7.
The focus of this resource is on promoting strong connections to the wild, allowing students to explore the natural world in which we live, and guiding them to grow in their understanding and care for the environment.
Thinking Forward Toolkits
Back to School Toolkits for Building Classroom Communities in a Pandemic World
Starting From the Heart: Going Beyond A Land Acknowledgement
Land acknowledgements provide us an opportunity to offer recognition and respect to the original inhabitants of the regions that we live in and work on. There are many things that we can do to go beyond simply reading a land acknowledgement script
‘Native Land Teaching Guide’ – by Native-Land.ca
Native Land brings about discussions of colonization, land rights, language, and Indigenous history tied to our personal histories. We hope this guide makes you, the reader, want to know about the land you live on.
Native Land Maps
An interactive map that allows you to view the traditional territories of the Nations wherever you live.
Residential School Survivor Stories
A selection of Indigenous Survivor stories drawn from the “Our Stories…Our Strength” video collection.
Bringing the Salmon Home
Resources from Bringing the Salmon Home: The Columbia River Salmon Reintroduction. This nitiative is an Indigenous-led collaboration of the Syilx Okanagan Nation, Ktunaxa Nation, Secwépemc Nation, Canada and British Columbia.
Challenging Racist “British Columbia” 150 Years and Counting
An open source publication of the University of Victoria research project: Asian Canadians on Vancouver Island: Race, Indigeneity, and the Transpacific.
Indigenous Knowledge and Perspectives in K-12 Curriculum
Documents that reflect implicit and explicit references to Indigenous Knowledge and Perspectives throughout the K-12 Curriculum. Educators may use this resource to easily access where Indigenous Knowledge and Perspectives intersect with the curriculum in every area of learning at every grade level.
The Ktunaxa Story of Lightning, Thunder, Fox and Coyote with Nasu?kin Joe Pierre
A webinar on the Ktunaxa story of Lightning, Thunder, Fox, and Coyote with Nasuʔkin (Chief) Joe Pierre.
The Importance of Indigenous Perspectives in Children’s Environmental Inquiry
A webinar on the Importance of Indigenous Perspectives in Children’s Environmental Inquiry.
Natural Curiosity: The Importance of Indigenous Perspectives in Children’s Environmental Inquiry
A book and second edition of Natural Curiosity that supports a stronger basic awareness of Indigenous perspectives and their importance to environmental education.
Braiding Sweetgrass
A book featuring life as an indigenous scientist, and as a woman, Robin Wall Kimmerer as shows how other living beings—asters and goldenrod, strawberries and squash, salamanders, algae, and sweetgrass—offer us gifts and lessons, even if we’ve forgotten how to hear their voices.
First Voices
A suite of web-based tools and services designed to support Indigenous people engaged in language archiving, language teaching and culture revitalization.
TRC Calls to Action
A report from the Truth and Reconciliation
Commission of Canada:
Calls to Action.
Indigenous Education National Centre for Collaboration
A news centre for Indigenous education initiatives.
Wabanaki Collection
A network connecting postsecondary educators, grade school teachers, and the general public with a variety of resources that support enhanced relationships between all the peoples of Eastern Canada and Northeastern United States.
Treaty Education Resources by Three Nations Education Group Inc.
Curriculum resource on Treaty Education.
Three Nations Education Group Inc
A regional management organization dedicated to improving education outcomes of First Nations students through advocacy, professional and educational supports, and building meaningful partnerships.
First Nations Education Initiative Inc.
An educational jurisdictional model for First Nations education, which will result in improved capacity for First Nations educators ultimately leading to improvements in the educational outcomes for all First Nations students attending Band Operated and Provincial schools.
Mohonk Preserve
A toolkit regarding how to make nature more accessible in the context of education.
Youth Outside
A report on our 2014 Cultural Relevancy Convening and the actionable outcomes that emerged.
British Journal of Special Education
Research and resources on environmental education that promotes the inclusion of children with special needs and addresses their biophilic needs.
Rick Hansen Foundation
An education toolkit for creating inclusive play spaces
for children of all abilities.
Zinn Education Project
Teaching materials and resources to support the teaching of people’s history in middle and high school classrooms across the country.
Scaffolded
a working document for scaffolding anti-racism resources. The goal is to facilitate growth for white folks to become allies, and eventually accomplices for anti-racist work.
American Hiking Society
Resources on how to address systemic racism, Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC), etc. in the context of ourdoor learning.
Tsalani Lassiter
An accomplished storyteller, photographer, and instructor, exploring and sharing his story,. Tsalani works to connect people with nature, foster conversations about conservation, and diversify the outdoors.
Critical Practices for Anti-Bias Education
Proffesional Development on Critical Practices for Anti-bias Education.
Facilitating Critical Conversations
A guide on facilitating improtant conversations with students.
‘Teaching for Black Lives’ – written by Jesse Hagopian
A book for teaching Black lives, and for rethinking schools.
Rachel Elizabeth Cargle
Newsletters, blog posts, and social media content on raising black voices and BIPOC.
Learning for Justice
Pro-D and classroom resources for topics such as class, gender & sexuality, rights & activism, bullying & bias, immigration, ability, religion, race & ethnicity (from an American lens).
Embrace Race
Resources to raise awareness for educating children to become more thoughtful, informed and brave about race.
Anti-Racism in the Outdoors – Children Nature Network
Resources related to justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion of black, indigenous and people of color in parks and greenspaces.
Unlikely Hikers – Jenny Bruso
Podcast and blog from the perspective of plus size groups exploring the outdoors.
Colour the Trails
An advocacy group for inclusive representation in outdoor spaces, working with brand partners, businesses, and organizations to break barriers and create accessibility. We subsidize outdoor adventures, create diverse content, and are actively working with our allies to create the change we want to see in the world.
Naomi Maina
An internationally recognized network, leading in sustainability and climate change education policy research.
Melanin Basecamp
Resources and weekly content curated by Black, Latinx, Asian, Indigenous and Queer People of Color who love the outdoors.
Diversify Outdoors
A coalition of social media influencers – bloggers, athletes, activists, and entrepreneurs – who share the goal of promoting diversity in outdoor spaces where BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and other diverse identities have historically been marginalized and silenced.
Jacqueline L. Scott, Black Outdoors
A blog about a black woman’s journey exploring the outdoors and growing advocacy
Parents for Diversity
Webinars and resources from a collective of parents committed to achieving inclusive and non-discriminatory learning environments that allow children to fulfill their true potential in this world.
TDSB/OISE Eco Racism in the Parks The Black Canadian Experience
Educational video on Eco Racism in the Parks The Black Canadian Experience
Responding to the TRC: EECOM Conference Guidelines
A guide and support doc for EECOM conference hosts to deepen their engagement with Indigenous worldviews, communities and context in both the organizing process and conference offering.
PeerNetBC
Workshops and trainings on diversity/anti-oppression, facilitation training and peer group dynamic
CPAWS
Are you looking for educational resources for learning or teaching about the wonders of nature at home? Well then we’ve got you covered!
Nunavut (Department of Environment)
Lesson plans, books, and videos to support land skills and species specific information in Nunavut
SEEDS Connections
Educational programs with a focus on diversity, leadership, environmental sustainability, and energy literacy
Clean
Activities and programs for Nova Scotia educators that raise environmental knowledge for all ages
Fédération des éducateurs et éducatrices physiques enseignants du Québec
Resources to support teaching outside and managing risks in the school yard
Enseigner Dehors
Varied and creative educational activities to get your students to learn, move and excel outside!
UNITÉ DE LOISIR ET DE SPORT DE LA CAPITALE-NATIONALE
An organization whose mission is to support, promote and participate the development of leisure and sport in the Capitale-Nationale region
EcoKids
Programs and resources for children, parents, educators, and communities in Canada to engage in environmental education
ACER (Association for Canadian Educational Resources)
Programs and resources for learning about environmental issues through a variety of ecological monitoring projects
Indigenous Games for Children (by High Five)
A collection of traditional Indigenous games and activities that reflect the rich cultural heritage of Indigenous peoples across Canada
Exploring by the Seat of your Pants
Full day, week and month long events covering themes like conservation, biodiversity, ocean plastics, climate change, ecosystems, technology and more!
Ask Nature
A variety of biomimicry and engineering unit plans, lesson plans, and design challenges
Learning through Landscapes
Outdoor learning ideas and lesson plans to help children and families to spend more time outside
Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (Manitoba Chapter)
An online portal with resources to support outdoor education and learning about the boreal forest
FortWhyte Alive
Online resources for year-round teaching ideas, lesson plans and professional development
Green Action Centre
Projects that help the whole family learn and grow, while exploring sustainability practices
First Nations of Quebec and Labrador Sustainable Development Institute
A collection of multilingual books on environment and sustainable development
First Nations, Métis & Inuit Education Association of Ontario
Exploring Indigenous ways of knowing, doing and being that are grounded in relationships and connection with the land
Elementary Teachers Federation of Ontario
Resources that focus inclusively on First Nations, Métis and Inuit (FNMI) worldviews and perspectives.
Native Land
An interactive map to help identify the Indigenous territories, languages and treaties, as well as tools to help develop a land acknowledgement
iNaturalist and SEEK
Combining nature and technology, it is a place to record and organize nature findings and learn about the natural world through citizen science
Invasive Species Centre
Free teaching resources to support invasive species knowledge, identification and detection
Back 2 Nature Network
Resources that prompt, engage, encourage and inspire a strong connection between children and nature
EcoSpark
Curriculum connected materials to support hands-on citizen science projects in your school yard and community
Forests Ontario
Resources that introduce forests, soil and biodiversity into the classroom through a variety of curriculum-connected activities and tool kits
Ducks Unlimited
A variety of award-winning education activities to engage youth and empower them to make a difference in their own communities
Educate Outside
Science, math and literacy resources to suppoort outdoor learning for grades K-6, and digital risk assessment templates for outdoor learning
Ontario Society for Environmental Education
a Subject Association for all educators, both formal and non-formal who are interested in integrating environmental topics into their teaching practice
Indigenous Education and the National Centre for Collaboration
K-12 activities infused with Indigenous knowledge and opportunities for on-the-land learning
Toronto Zoo/Turtle Island Conservation
a conservation programme that utilizes a First Nations cultural lens in the commitment to preserve water and biodiversity
Toronto Outdoor Education Schools
Webinars, lesson plans and resources to support in school and learn from home environmental education
Creative Star Learning LTD
Practical ideas to support math and literacy in the primary years through outdoor play
OPHEA (Ontario Physical and Health Education Association)
Lesson Plans that have a focus on health, physical activity, inclusion and more.
Canadian Parks Council
A guide to inspire actions that all Canadians can take to connect a new generation with Nature.
Alberta Council for Environmental Education
Resources, programs, professional development, and grants to support environmental and energy education in your classroom.
Nature Canada
From a scavenger hunt to tips on how to help nature in your area, these resources offer ways to get outside and connect with nature
Canadian Geographic
Canadian Geographic Education provides learning resources to help improve students’ understanding of the world they live in. Geographically literate students are better prepared to face global challenges and have the skills necessary to become effective change agents. Use these resources to inspire curiosity and exploration in your classroom!
Alberta Recreation and Parks Association
How to guides to help start a local play charter or mobile adventure playground.
EcoSource
An organization that inspires the community to become more environmentally responsible through creative public education.
Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority
Nature-inspired learning resources to help your child learn at home, independently or with your help
Project WET
Project WET Canada is a fun, hands-on, inquiry learning based, water education program for Kindergarten to Grade 12 students. Their Instructional Resources include curricular connections, learning opportunities around climate change and resilience, music and videos, and much more!
Making Indigenous-led education a public policy priority: The benefits of land-based education and programming
Explore the benefits of Indigenous-led, land-based education, and the ways in which this type of programming aligns with: Climate action & environmental stewardship; The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs); The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP); Reconciliation in Canada (Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action); Missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls (MMIWG) recommendations; and the right to belong.
Council of Outdoor Educator’s Ontario
An outdoor learning tip sheet that includes tips on risk management, materials, activities and assessment strategies.
Bamfield Marine Sciences Centre
K-12 educator resources that connect learners to the marine environment.
AdventureSmart
Risk management and safety when taking groups of learners outside! They also offer programs catered for K-12 students.
New Brunswick Environmental Network
Environmental learning resources that are organized thematically.
Canadian Network for Ocean Education
Ocean themed resources to spark marine discovery and education opportunities.
Child & Nature Alliance of Canada
Forest School Canada Guide a digital resource with a “head, heart & hands approach to outdoor learning”.
Get Outside Guide (WILD BC)
Outdoor learning guide for creating outdoor classrooms for K-12 learners.
Get Outside & Play
Get Outside and Play can help you support your educators, teachers and families to get outside and play! As adults in children’s lives, our job is to provide the time, space, materials and most of all permission to play outside in child care, school and our communities.
E-Butterfly
A citizen science tool to encourage learning about local species of butterflies through tracking and monitoring exercises.
Project Feeder Watcher
A citizen science tool to encourage getting outdoors in the winter by counting and learning about your local feathered friends.
David Suzuki Foundation
Science based resources that can be searched and filtered to suit the needs of your learners.
Outdoor Play Canada
A wealth of resources for outdoor play including activities, policies, and research. The resource library is intended to support you in your outdoor play efforts, whether that be for policy, practice, research, knowledge mobilization… or simply for the sake of play!
Project Learning Tree
A wealth of resources for implementing environmental and outdoor learning while connecting it to curricular outcomes.
Nature Kids BC
The source for NatureWILD, a nature magazine featuring articles by BC’s leading naturalists, as well as games, nature activities, and more.
North American Association for Environmental Education
A resource hub for environmental education that includes lesson plans, activities, articles and other media.
Children & Nature Network
This collection of free toolkits, reports, infographics and advocacy tools is designed to help you or your organization connect children, families and communities to nature.
Green Teacher
Great kid-tested ideas for fostering learning and inspiring action on environmental and other global issues.
Stewardship Centre for BC
A diverse and comprehensive set of educational, technical and capacity resources for stewardship in BC.
Resources for Rethinking
A free online database where educators can search for high-quality, teacher-reviewed, curriculum-matched resources that support interdisciplinary and action oriented learning on issues related to sustainability, including lesson plans, videos, children’s books, outdoor activities and apps/games. Administered by LSF/LST.
Evergreen Canada
From research briefs and podcast episodes to children’s activity books, the Evergreen Resource Hub has hundreds of learning materials all in one convenient collection. You can:
- Download reports, case studies and toolkits to build innovative, inclusive and climate-resilient communities.
- Access curriculum-compliant activities for children and youth to engage with the natural world.
- Get the latest information on housing supply challenge funding rounds, advisory services and other supports.
Canadian Wildlife Federation
Colouring pages, educational units, lesson plans, manuals, handouts, resource sheets, wild webinars and more!
Natural Curiosity
A Pinterest board full of inspiring resources to assist in educational pursuits surrounding environmental and Indigenous inquiry.
Coyote’s Guide to Connecting with Nature
A print based resource to guide your excursions into outdoor learning. This resource can be purchased through our friends at the Wilderness Awareness School.
National Geographic
A vast collection of educational resources that are searchable by grade and subject.
Science World
A vast collection of resources that are teacher reviewed, classroom tested and matched to BC’s transformed curriculum by grade.
CBEEN’s Climate Change Resources
A concise listing of key Climate Change education lesson plans, resources and information.
Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation
The HCTF’s Resource Room houses a collection of environmental and educational resources, links and materials that can be downloaded, viewed and/or purchased through our online store.
