Advancing Nature-Based Early Care & Education: Tools, Policy and Collaboration (Recording)
2026-02-25 14:00 - 14:50 (America/Chicago) | Online Event
Nature-based early care and education is gaining momentum across the country, and for good reason. From supporting children’s healthy development to strengthening climate resilience and community well-being, nature-filled learning environments offer powerful benefits for children, families, and communities alike.
Join us for this interactive webinar to explore our new, practical Nature in Early Childhood Toolkit, alongside a deeper look at the Outdoor Nature-Based Early Care and Education (ONB-ECE) Collaborative and the growing policy landscape shaping this work at the local, state and federal levels.

During the session, we’ll walk through the Toolkit’s four core focus areas, highlighting real-world examples and strategies that early childhood providers, public agencies, advocates, and policymakers can use right away. You’ll also learn how the ONB ECE Collaborative is structured, why cross-sector collaboration is essential, and how you can get involved.

The webinar will feature a policy-focused panel discussion with partners from across the country, sharing insights from current efforts in various states.

You’ll leave with:

A clear understanding of why nature-based early care and education matters and how it supports children, providers and communities
A guided overview of the new Toolkit and how to apply it in your context
Insight into current and emerging policy strategies supporting nature in early childhood
Opportunities to connect with the ONB ECE Collaborative and access additional resources

This webinar is ideal for early childhood providers, public agencies overseeing early childhood, parks, or libraries, elected officials, members of the Blue Sky Early Childhood Cohort, and early childhood and nature advocates who want to turn vision into action.
