Lincoln, NE - The Nebraska Alliance for Conservation & Environmental Education (NACEE) will be joining the national Outside for 5 campaign this April, by promoting the benefits of nature and outdoor learning on students across the state, and sharing resources with parents, caregivers, teachers, advocates and community partners who show up every day to support the children and students in Nebraska.
As part of the #Outsidefor5 campaign - NACEE will be sharing information and resources about the benefits of outdoor learning on Nebraska's students across our social media channels and member newsletters throughout the month of April. To conclude the month-long campaign, NACEE will also be facilitating "Benefits of Nature & Outdoor Learning on Our Students", a free virtual professional development webinar designed for classroom teachers and environmental educators on Tuesday April 28, 5pm - 7pm (CST).
During the webinar, educators will get a deep dive into the research on how outdoor learning improves the physical and mental health of students while increasing learning outcomes, in addition to hearing from several Nebraska teachers who have successfully increased outdoor learning opportunities at their schools. To register for the webinar, click here, or visit nacee.org to learn more.
"Every child benefits from time spent outside! If you're a parent, caregiver or educator you probably already know this intuitively. Of course now with decades of research showing overwhelming evidence of increased physical and mental health scores, improved learning outcomes, and even boosts in student social and emotional skills - it's never been a better time to advocate for access to nature and the outdoors for the best holistic outcomes for every child in Nebraska," says Amber Schiltz, NACEE Program Director.
NACEE — the Nebraska state affiliate of the North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE) — exists to support and advance conservation and environmental education across the state.
For more details about the Outside for Five campaign or the educator webinar, contact Amber Schiltz, NACEE Program Director at admin@nacee.org or visit nacee.org
About the Outside for Five Campaign
Childhood is for exploring, discovering, and asking "what if?" - yet too many kids spend their days indoors, missing the chance to grow and connect with the world around them. Outdoor learning, hands-on, nature-based learning that happens outside the classroom, benefits every child. It takes a whole community to make it part of every school day. Together, we can make outdoor learning the norm, not the exception, and ensure that all students get outside to unlock five big benefits:
- Enhances learning and critical thinking
- Supports mental and emotional health
- Promotes strong, healthy bodies
- Empowers leadership, collaboration, and problem-solving skills
- Inspires a lifelong connection and care for nature
Getting students outside matters more than ever. Even a few minutes outdoors can spark confidence, creativity, focus, and connection. That's why NACEE is inviting you to sign on to #OutsideFor5. By joining, you're helping start conversations, inspire commitments, and build partnerships that make outdoor learning easier, stronger, and more accessible—for every school and every child in Nebraska. Learn more and join the community at www.outsidefor5.com.
About NACEE
The Nebraska Alliance for Conservation and Environmental Education is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting conservation and environmental education providers throughout Nebraska. Through professional development, networking, and advocacy, NACEE works to ensure that educators and community leaders are equipped with the tools they need to connect people with Nebraska's natural world.