Connecting Kids to the Outdoors, Everyday!
Learning Landscapes provides children with everyday access to nature by conserving land next to schools, creating outdoor classrooms, and supporting educators through professional development and connection to resources.
Educator Support
OUTDOOR LEARNING RETREATS
We host two annual retreats: one for early childhood and elementary educators, and another for middle and high school teachers. These retreats feature workshops and resources from local and statewide organizations and build a network of outdoor learning support.
Retreats are open to traditional classroom educators, ed-techs, daycare and homeschool providers, and school administrators.
2025 OUTDOOR LEARNING RETREAT REGISTRATION COMING SOON!
Every educator who attends an Outdoor Learning Retreat receives a backpack (donated by L.L. Bean) filled with educational tools including field guides, hand lenses, and blindfolds for sensory games!
Educator Gatherings
MAINTAIN CONNECTIONS
We host seasonal gatherings for educators to continue the connections they formed at the retreat, visit local outdoor classrooms and play spaces, and share lesson ideas.
Volunteer Program
EDUCATOR SUPPORT
We heard from educators at the Outdoor Learning Retreats that a barrier to bringing classes outside was the challenge of outdoor group management – not having a high enough adult to student ratio.
In response to these concerns, we launched a volunteer program and training in collaboration with schools, matching community members with teachers to support safe outdoor learning experiences.
Interested in joining us? Contact Learning Landscapes & Outreach Director Leah Trommer at leaht@coastalmountains.org!
Outdoor Classrooms and Nature Play Spaces
WITH EDUCATOR INPUT
We are collaborating with teachers to implement their vision and create spaces that enhance children’s experience outside. This might mean creating a clear path to a forested play space, building a bridge over a stream, setting up stump circles, or building story trails.
In fall 2024, we finalized the Riverside Outdoor Classroom at Camden Rockport Middle School, nestled in a hemlock grove with a large stump circle and a slate chalkboard. All of the materials for this project were sourced and worked on by local artisans, builders, and community partners.
and Land Trust staff at the outdoor classroom unveiling. Monson Slate and Treeworks not pictured.
We are supporting Belfast Area Children’s Center in Waldo by creating a stroller accessible trail so all children at the school – as young as 19 months – can safely explore the wetland, trails, woods, and nature play area right outside their doors!
Trail construction by Town 4 Trail Services will begin Fall 2025!
Conserve Land for Schools
MILL BROOK PRESERVE AT SEARSPORT DISTRICT SCHOOLS
Our first conserved Learning Landscape is Mill Brook Preserve, located adjacent to Searsport District Elementary, Middle, and High Schools.
Trails directly behind the school connect to the Preserve, featuring a 44’ hemlock bridge across the Mill Brook. The bridge has become a natural teaching space for conversations, nature journaling, English Language Arts lessons, and more.
Middle school teachers from Searsport attended our first Outdoor Learning Retreat in 2023, after which they started a weekly Student Stewards elective course. Through Student Stewards, children have an opportunity to learn outside regularly, build community, and participate in trail improvement projects.
Assessing Needs & Opportunities
LAND-BASED NEEDS
We continue to assess the land-based needs of schools in our 15-town service region and envision a future where all children have regular access to nature right outside their classroom door.
THIS PROGRAM IS BUILT WITH THE GUIDANCE OF COMMUNITY MEMBERS, CURRENT AND RETIRED EDUCATORS, SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS, AND LAND TRUST BOARD AND STAFF.
Interested in getting involved? Contact Learning Landscapes & Outreach Director Leah Trommer at leaht@coastalmountains.org to learn more.
