NLI Newsletter – December 2022
Wishing You a Peaceful and Productive Year Ahead!
View NLI’s end-of-year greeting card here
Hands-on Childcare Garden Intervention
Where are the Bacon Seeds?
Winter Play and Learning Outdoors
Happy Holidays 2022
Happy Holidays from the Natural Learning Initiative! Join us as we celebrate nature play and learning with our holiday postcard.
Where are the Bacon Seeds?
NLI Where are the Bacon Seeds? This preschooler quote introduced Dr. Nilda Cosco’s closing keynote to the Association of State Public Health Nutritionists (ASPHN). Subtitled, “Outcomes of the Randomized Control Trial on Childcare Outdoor Learning Environments as...
Hands-on Childcare Garden Intervention
Research NLI Hands-on childcare garden intervention: A randomized controlled trial to assess effects on fruit and vegetable identification, liking, and consumption among children aged 3–5 years in North Carolina Authors: Nilda G. Cosco, Nancy M. Wells, Daowen Zhang,...
NLI Newsletter – November 2022
Extending the Growing Season
Building a cold frame is a great way to extend the growing season.
NLI session at the 2022 Extension State Conference
Rash Field Park Recognized
Micromobility Research with SPIN
NLI session at the 2022 NC Extension State Conference
NLI NLI session at the 2022 NC Extension State Conference NLI presented a session led by Laura Lloyd and Bria Sledge at the 2022 Extension State Conference, Greensboro, NC, in October 2022. Aimed at demonstrating the impact of diverse, naturalized environments in...
Micromobility Research with SPIN
NLI Micromobility Research with SPIN NLI Director Deepti Adlakha has been awarded a research contract to study micromobility across the NCSU campus alongside fellow colleagues Aaron Hipp in CNR, Eleni Bardaka in engineering, and Waugh (John) Wright in ITRE. This study...
NLI Newsletter – October 2022
Register today for the upcoming POEMS and COLEQT online courses!
Registration is currently open for POEMS and COLEQT courses.
NLI at the NEAFCS Annual Session
Restorative Cities + Urban Mental Health Roundtable
Using Pumpkins to Support Learning
NLI Newsletter – September 2022
Registration closing soon! Join us on Sept. 7th for the 12th Annual Growing IN Place Symposium!
The 12th Annual Growing In Place Symposium: Urban Outdoor Play and Learning
Early Childhood Outdoor Learning Environments
Designing Early Childhood Outdoor Environments Certificate
Hoffler Creek
NLI at the NEAFCS Annual Session
NLI NLI at the NEAFCS Annual Session Mid-September, enthusiastic cooperative extension professionals, interested in early childhood gardening and healthy eating toured the gardens and play and learning settings at A Safe Place Child Enrichment Center, Raleigh, NC....
Deepti Adlakha at Restorative Cities + Urban Mental Health Roundtable
NLI Deepti Adlakha at Restorative Cities + Urban Mental Health Roundtable NLI Director, Dr. Deepti Adlakha, was a panelist at the University of Virginia, School of Architecture’s Restorative Cities + Urban Mental Health Roundtable held on Sept. 9th, with Dr. Aaron...
Children Who Play in Forests and Parklands Rather Than Gravel Yards Have Stronger Immune Systems
NLI Children Who Play in Forests and Parklands Rather Than Gravel Yards Have Stronger Immune Systems Finnish researchers added greenery and soil to daycare outdoor play areas. Findings Children got an immune boost and more diverse microbiota in the skin and gut. The...
Early Childhood Outdoor Learning Environments Certificate (Nemours)
NLI Early Childhood Outdoor Learning Environments Certificate (Nemours) EARLY CHILDHOOD OUTDOOR LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS CERTIFICATE COURSE is targeted towards early childhood professionals and others interested in improving early childhood outdoor play and learning...
Kids in the Woods at Hoffler Creek Wildlife Preserve
Project NLI Kids in the Woods at Hoffler Creek Wildlife Preserve The mission of Kids in the Woods is to foster the physical, mental, and spiritual health of children through interaction with nature in a safe and stimulating outdoor environment. To help create a fun...
NLI Newsletter – August 2022
12th Annual Growing IN Place Symposium: Urban Outdoor Play and Learning: Post-Pandemic Lessons for Policy and Practice
Register today for the 12th Annual Growing In Place Symposium: Urban Outdoor Play and Learning
Early Childhood Outdoor Learning Environments
Designing Early Childhood Outdoor Environments Certificate
Conestee Nature Preserve Nature Playscape
Conestee Nature Preserve: Nature Playscape
Project Conestee Nature Preserve: Nature Playscape Photo Credit: Brandon Dupree The new Nature Playscape at Conestee Nature Preserve, Greenville, SC, opened to swarms of excited kids and accompanying family members, April 12, 2025! After overcoming severe setbacks...
NLI Newsletter – July 2022
Social Media Mining to Inform Park Use and Public Health Decision-Making
Study on social media’s role in park use and public health.
12th Annual Growing IN Place Symposium
Integrating Gardening Resources Into EFNEP Curriculum
POEMS and COLEQT Online Courses
Healthy Childhoods via Childcare Outdoor Design
Healthy Childhoods via Childcare Outdoor Design NLI and SC partners presented at Health in All Design, the 53rd Environmental Design Research Association Conference (EDRA), Greenville, SC. L-R: Misty Pearson, Early Care and Education Consultant, DHEC; Robin Moore,...
Social Media Mining to Inform Park Use and Public Health Decision-Making
NLI Social Media Mining to Inform Park Use and Public Health Decision-Making Research Question: Are tweets about parks and public health a valid source of data to inform practitioner decision-making about related programs, policies, and design? NLI’s Director, Deepti...
Aurelian Springs Institute of Global Learning
Healthy Habits, Healthy Kids NLI Aurelian Springs Institute of Global Learning Aurelian Springs Institute of Global Learning planted thirteen trees and constructed an arbor to offer more shading for the children. A primary pathway was installed, among other settings...
A-Z Children’s Enrichment Academy
Shape NC NLI A-Z Children’s Enrichment Academy A to Z Children’s Enrichment Academy is located in Roanoke Rapid, NC. The center has several existing trees that provide natural shade and play value. The area, freestanding swing, and raise deck are a welcome...
CADA Head Start @ Scotland Neck
Healthy Habits, Healthy Kids NLI CADA Head Start @ Scotland Neck CADA @ Scotland Neck added an arbor and a wheeled toy bridge that was constructed and installed attached to an existing primary pathway. The center added dramatic play, sand and water play, an outdoor...
CADA Head Start @ Halifax Community College
Healthy Habits, Healthy Kids NLI CADA Head Start @ Halifax Community College CADA Head Start @ Halifax Community College has expanded their fence line and added a double gate to enlarge the outdoor environment for the children. A looped primary pathway was installed...
Children’s Creative Center
Healthy Habits, Healthy Kids NLI Children’s Creative Center Children’s Creative Center installed a primary pathway with an arbor with climbing vines for the children to enjoy. Other enhancements include trikes, outdoor storage, a sandbox, an improved multipurpose lawn...
Clara Hearne Early Childhood Center
Healthy Habits, Healthy Kids NLI Clara Hearne Early Childhood Center At Clara Hearne Early Childhood Center, half the outdoor space was shaded by mature trees and the other half was full sun. A primary pathway, multipurpose deck, playhouse, and natural construction...
Everett’s Elementary S.T.E.M. Academy
Healthy Habits, Healthy Kids NLI Everett’s Elementary S.T.E.M. Academy Everett’s Elementary STEM Academy installed a primary pathway and wheeled toy bridge to the existing primary pathway. Near the pathway, a tree was planted and a looped bench was constructed around...
Haliwa-Saponi Day Care Center
Shape NC NLI Haliwa-Saponi Day Care Center Haliwa-Saponi Day Care Center Enhancements include a sandbox, raised garden bed, trees, trikes, a drum set, along with a primary pathway that leads to a large multipurpose space with a paved floor and ten mushroom pods. The...
Hollister Elementary Leadership Academy
Healthy Habits, Healthy Kids NLI Hollister Elementary Leadership Academy Hollister Elementary Leadership Academy added trees around the outdoor space, offering a more naturalized and shaded environment. A raised garden bed was installed for children to explore and...
Inborden Elementary S.T.E.A.M. Academy
Healthy Habits, Healthy Kids NLI Inborden Elementary S.T.E.A.M. Academy Inborden Elementary STEM Academy installed trees and raised garden beds to add value to their OLE. A multipurpose deck with a shade sail and three outdoor storages were added. In addition, a...
J & J Child Care & Learning Center
Healthy Habits, Healthy Kids NLI J & J Child Care & Learning Center J & J Child Care & Learning Center has diversified its outdoor learning environment with a variety of play and learning settings. They have added a primary pathway with two newly...
Just for Kids Child Care Center
Healthy Habits, Healthy Kids NLI Just for Kids Child Care Center Just for Kids Child Care Center replaced the surfacing and fall zone border underneath the manufactured play equipment. A primary pathway was added as well as trikes and a wheeled toy storage unit. A low...
Hodgestown Lifetime Learning Center
Healthy Habits, Healthy Kids NLI Hodgestown Lifetime Learning Center Hodgestown Lifetime Learning Center transformed a previously sand-covered outdoor environment by replacing it with mulch throughout the entire space. A multipurpose deck complete with outdoor storage...
Kingdom Kids Day Care Center
Healthy Habits, Healthy Kids NLI Kingdom Kids Day Care Center Kingdom Kids Day Care Center installed a primary pathway underneath an existing multipurpose structure with newly added picnic tables. A primary pathway was completed along with wheeled toy storage, a...
Little Blessings Learning Center
Healthy Habits, Healthy Kids NLI Little Blessings Learning Center Little Blessings Learning Center a manufactured shade structure was added to provide sun protection and shading to the outdoor area. A primary pathway was installed along with three-wheeled toy storage...
Pittman Elementary Leadership Academy
Healthy Habits, Healthy Kids NLI Pittman Elementary Leadership Academy Pittman Elementary Leadership Academy has created a welcoming space with the inclusion of a looped primary pathway around the existing manufactured play equipment. A new outdoor classroom,...
Scotland Neck Elementary Leadership Academy
Healthy Habits, Healthy Kids NLI Scotland Neck Elementary Leadership Academy Located in Scotland Neck NC, Scotland Neck Elementary Leadership Academy added several settings and components to their outdoor learning environment in an effort to enhance play value. A sand...
Smiles R’ Us Big Kids
Healthy Habits, Healthy Kids NLI Smiles R’ Us Big Kids Smiles R’Us Big Kids added play value to their outdoor learning environment by making numerous enhancements to diversify children’s experience. The surfacing of this site was hard compacted soil. To improve the...
Smiles R’ Us Child Care
Healthy Habits, Healthy Kids NLI Smiles R’ Us Child Care Smiles R’ Us Child Care moved its location during the course of the Healthy Habits, Healthy Kids Project. As a result, a new outdoor space needed to be created. Additions included trees for shading, an art wall,...
