Outdoor School Around the Country (and the World)

Oregon set a precedent for state funded Outdoor School. We are excited that more states are on their journeys to having state-funded Outdoor School, too! Below are articles about Outdoor School initiatives outside of Oregon.

Maine

Maine to Pilot Outdoor School for All (UMaine News, August 25, 2025)

UMaine Extension, partners help bring outdoor learning to students statewide (centralmaine.com, February 5, 2024)

Students educate state about importance of experiential learning (Sun Journal, May 17, 2023)

Minnesota

Minnesota Lawmakers Fund Outdoor Education Grants in Bipartisan Effort (MPR News, June 27, 2025)

Minnesota kids love outdoor learning. Lawmakers are paying attention (MPR News, January 3,2024)

Northwoods Experience: Long Lake Conservation Center Supports “Outdoor School For All” Bill (Lakeland News, May 31, 2023)

Outdoor School for All provides resources for students to study nature (Audacy/WCCO, May 2023)

Bill Introduced for Outdoor School for All Minnesota Students (WJON, May 18, 2023)

Nevada

Nevada Legislature should seize on chance to use outdoors to inspire children (Las Vegas Sun, May 19, 2023)

Outdoor Education Advisory Group releases recommendations on bringing the outdoors to Nevada schools (The Eureka Sentinel, Dec. 22, 2024)

Washington

Local counties get outdoor learning grants (NBCRightNow, October 25, 2023)

WA House bill would expand outdoor education statewide (The Seattle Times, February 14, 2022)

West Virginia

Outdoor Education Exposes West Virginia Youth To Wild and Wonderful Opportunities (WVPB, January 2, 2024)

Nation/World

Scotland: Outdoor Learning Bill Set to Reach Next Stage as Funding Secured (BBC Scotland, September 23, 2025)

Amid U.S. Student Learning Losses, Outdoor School Fills Academic Gaps (USA Today, August 27, 2024)

Bipartisan bill aims to get children outdoors (The Columbian, June 17th, 2023)

Outdoor School for ALL: A Campaign Gains Momentum (Association of Nature Center Administrators, May 11, 2023)

NAAEE Endorses “No Child Left Inside” Environmental Education Bill (eePRO, April 5, 2023)