Place-based learning resources for teachers

Learning Landscapes

Teacher Handbook

Learning Landscapes for Your Class

Our new teacher handbook is designed to give teachers and other outdoor mentors tools and ideas for connecting with and using your local outdoor environment as an instructional resource to enrich student learning. This handbook has it all, from philosophy on science education to core field activities that keep students engaged.

WaterSafeguarding the Sierra’s largest source of clean, abundant water
WildlifeProtecting critical habitats for 300+ species of birds and wildlife
Ag & Open SpaceConserving open space and ag lands that host wetlands and wildlife
RecreationPreserving majestic beauty and access to nature-based recreation
Native HomelandsConserving Maidu homelands and supporting cultural connections to land
KidsCultivating a love of nature and stewardship in the next generation
BiodiversityConserving one of the American West’s most biodiverse regions
Climate ResilienceProtecting biodiverse lands and waters that help natural systems thrive
CommunityProtecting treasured landscapes and community connection to land
Whether our kids stay or move away, they will understand things like, "Where does our drinking water come from? What affects that resource?" My kids will never forget these experiences. Outdoor learning fosters critical thinking, creativity, fun, and a real-world context for learning.
- Nicholle Crowther,
4th grade teacher, Chester