Who We Are: Meet NatureConnect

In a place like Central Oregon, where we’re surrounded by breathtaking natural beauty, it’s easy to assume that everyone has equal access to the outdoors. But that’s not the case — and it’s exactly why NatureConnect exists.  

We’re a nonprofit working to ensure that every child in Central Oregon — regardless of income, race, ability, or zip code — has the opportunity to learn, play, and thrive in nature. Through our own programs and by coordinating a network of 30+ outdoor education partners, we’re working behind the scenes and on the ground to make sure outdoor learning and play is available to all.

And while we’ve been around for more than a decade (you may remember us as the Children’s Forest of Central Oregon), we know that many in our community still don’t know who we are or what we do. So we’re taking a moment to reintroduce ourselves.

Why We Exist

We believe that time in nature is essential for a child’s health, happiness, and development. The research is clear: kids who spend more time outdoors experience better mental and physical health, improved academic performance, and stronger social-emotional skills. They’re also more likely to care for the environment as adults.

But access to those benefits isn’t evenly distributed. Many families face real barriers to outdoor time — from transportation and scheduling challenges to lack of information about where to go or what to do. Even in places like Central Oregon, where the outdoors feels close, it’s not always accessible.

That’s where NatureConnect comes in.

We:

• Coordinate and fund school field trips and outdoor programs, ensuring access to outdoor learning for all kids — not just those from well-resourced schools
• Partner with teachers and outdoor organizations to increase equity, coordination, and collaboration across our region
• Offer internships and leadership opportunities that connect youth to careers in conservation and environmental education
• Serve as an umbrella organization for Vámonos Outside, providing administrative and financial support to support their success and growth
• Work behind the scenes to ensure the Central Oregon outdoor learning community is connected, strategic, and making progress together

The Numbers: How We Know It’s Working — and Why It Still Matters

NatureConnect began tracking regional participation in school-based outdoor programs in 2012. Each year, our partners share data about the schools, teachers, and students they serve. That data gives us a snapshot of who’s participating in outdoor education — and who’s being left out.

In 2018, we took it further and began parsing through the data by race/ethnicity and income (using free and reduced lunch status as a proxy). That was a turning point. We could now identify disparities — and take action.

Last year, participation in outdoor education in Central Oregon was nearly equitable across race and socioeconomic status. In fact, students from low-income households were slightly more likely to participate in outdoor programs than students from higher-income schools — a powerful sign that our collective efforts are working.

This is a milestone we’re incredibly proud of. But it comes alongside another trend that gives us pause:

Overall participation numbers — meaning the total number of students reached across the region — are still down compared to pre-pandemic years.
Since 2018, the total number of students participating in school-based outdoor programs has dropped by 11.6%, and the number of total program days is down 3.6%.

In other words: we’re doing a better job of reaching students equitably, but we’re reaching fewer students overall.

This decline is largely the result of pandemic-related disruptions, staffing reductions, and shrinking school budgets. Many outdoor education providers are still rebuilding — and federal funding for outdoor learning has decreased significantly in recent years.

So while we celebrate the progress in equity, we also recognize the urgency to rebuild — and to ensure that outdoor education doesn’t become yet another thing that’s quietly cut from kids’ lives.

Why Now

We know the impact this work has. We see it on every field trip, hear it in every student land acknowledgment, and read it in teacher feedback. Kids need nature. And nature needs them, too.

That’s why we’re doubling down — not just on direct programs, but on the behind-the-scenes work that strengthens the whole outdoor learning ecosystem in Central Oregon.

In the coming months, we’ll be sharing more about the people, partnerships, and programs that make NatureConnect what it is. We’ll also be sharing real stories from students, educators, and partners — and we invite you to follow along.

We’re proud of how far we’ve come. But we know the work is far from done.

Let’s Keep Going, Together

So whether you’re hearing about us for the first time or have been a longtime supporter, we hope this gives you a better sense of what NatureConnect is all about. We believe the outdoors should be for everyone — and we’re working every day to make that a reality.

🗓️ Save the Date: We’ll be hosting NatureConnect Fest, a free community event for families at Alpenglow Park on Saturday, September 20. Come celebrate nature, meet our team, and learn more about how you can be part of this movement.