NLI partnered with the National Wildlife Federation (NWF) in 2011, in a pilot project funded by the Fish and Wildlife Service, to engage youth with nature as a step towards to careers in conservation.

From fields ranging from landscape architecture to mathematics, 15 highly motivated college interns from across the US, passionate about interacting with children and families outdoors, spent three weeks in the Alligator River Wildlife Refuge learning to be playworkers in nature. Guided by a NLI training curriculum, interns designed and managed natural play and learning environments, developed pilot “play animation scenarios,” delivering them to children and families, learning how to connect kids to nature through play on the coast of North Carolina. Course leaders included playwork trainers from the NC Zoo, the UK Eden Project, NLI and NWF.

National Wildlife Federation (NWF) and the Natural Learning Initiative (NLI) at North Carolina State University built a team of The program included developing recommendations on how to expandthis pilot project to other parks and nature centers as well as designing and prototyping future installations near the Refuge Visitor Center.

Nature Play Corps Internship Project Objectives

• Youth will understand and appreciate the Refuge’s existing resources and management practices.
• Youth will assess natural resources at the Refuge for nature play potential.
• Youth will plan and lead nature play programs for the Refuge’s visitors.
• Youth will develop a conceptual plan and prototype for a natural play area appropriate to a National Wildlife Refuge.

Schedule Overview

Project objectives were achieved by a mix of seminars, interactive sessions, involvement in USFWS planned activities, ideation, and preparation and delivery of nature play programs (prototypes).

Each week ended with the installation of a number of nature play prototypes created, installed, and managed by subgroups of interns. Prototypes were associated with the conceptual master plan developed for the future Education Pavilion and Trails at the Gateway Visitor Center, Manteo, NC.

Activities were conducted at the Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge and Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge, North Carolina, June 6th – 24th, 2011.