Outdoor Learning Gatherings are for educators seeking resources and inspiration to engage students in activities that benefit from being outdoors and nature.

Are you…

• A DC educator interested in connecting with others who are passionate about engaging with students outdoors?
• Searching for resources and best practices centered around outdoor learning that you can incorporate into your teaching practice?
• Looking to deepen your students’ personal relationship to place through experiences that connect to locally relevant content?

… Then Outdoor Learning Gatherings are for YOU!

What educators have said about their experience at Outdoor Learning Gatherings:

“Learning and connecting with other garden coordinators is wonderful!”

“Super welcoming and friendly gathering, great to chat with the outdoor education community!”

“The information and the hands-on demonstrations were very engaging and inspiring!”

“I really enjoyed the wildflower activity and the socializing with other educators.”

Upcoming 2025 Gatherings

Connecting Students with Natural Process in the School Garden
May 22, 2025 | 4:30 - 6 p.m.
Mundo Verde Public Charter School, 30 P Street NW

Join us and explore how structured, yet flexible, time spent in green spaces can be used as a tool for academic learning, social and emotional learning, and strengthening sense of place. This gathering will consist of two sessions.

• Session 1: Participants will practice writing their own ecopoetry and creating nature bracelets.
• Session 2: Participants will learn the basics of composting with worms (aka vermicomposting), from how to set up and maintain a worm bin, to what types of worms eat food scraps, to activities with students.

Presenters: 

 

Carissa Tirado-Marks is a nature and sustainability educator entering her sixth year as Mundo Verde's Sustainability Manager. Carissa’s background is in sustainable food systems and nature education and currently focuses on utilizing garden spaces as learning and healing spaces and how they can be used to connect people of all ages to nature and community.

Brenda Platt directs the Composting for Community Initiative at the Institute for Local Self-Reliance. Brenda has authored numerous reports including Stop Trashing the Climate, Growing Local Fertility: A Guide to Community Composting, and Community Composting Done Right: A Guide to Best Management Practices. She has been leading workshops on composting for more than a decade.

Additional 2025 dates will be added soon.

Interested in hosting or presenting at an upcoming gathering?

Do you want to share information about your program at an upcoming gathering? Do you have a topic you want to talk about? Do you want to host a gathering at your school or teaching site? Let us know by completing this short survey. A small stipend will be provided to speakers.