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Natural Materials for Play and Learning

Natural Materials for Play and Learning

Primary Pathway Layout

Primary Pathway Layout

Raising Funds and Resources for Outdoor Learning Environments

Raising Funds and Resources for Outdoor Learning Environments

Autumn Children’s Books and Outdoor Play

Autumn Children’s Books and Outdoor Play

More on Physical Activity with Diane Craft

More on Physical Activity with Diane Craft

Selecting, Installing, and Managing Plants

Selecting, Installing, and Managing Plants

Winter Play and Learning Outdoors

Winter Play and Learning Outdoors

Sand Play Areas: Design

Sand Play Areas: Design

Draining Wet, Muddy Areas

Draining Wet, Muddy Areas

Sensory Gardens

Sensory Gardens

Engaging Community Resources

Engaging Community Resources

Growing IN Place Symposium 2017

Growing IN Place Symposium 2017

Grass Mazes

Grass Mazes

Pathway Installation: Alternatives to concrete

Pathway Installation: Alternatives to concrete

Summer Play: Affordable Misting Station

Summer Play: Affordable Misting Station

Farm to Preschool

Farm to Preschool

Theme Gardens

Theme Gardens

Affordable Shade Options

Affordable Shade Options

Creating a Butterfly Garden

Creating a Butterfly Garden

Imprinting Concrete with Natural Objects

Imprinting Concrete with Natural Objects

Children’s Vegetable Gardens: Introduction

Children’s Vegetable Gardens: Introduction

Protecting New Plants

Protecting New Plants

Tools & Equipment for Outdoor Learning Environment Installation

Tools & Equipment for Outdoor Learning Environment Installation

Concrete Toadstools

Concrete Toadstools

Early Spring in the Garden

Early Spring in the Garden

Pressure Treated Wood

Pressure Treated Wood

Plant of the Month: March – Spring Starflower

Plant of the Month: March – Spring Starflower

Growing Gourds for Birdhouses

Growing Gourds for Birdhouses

Spring Outdoor Play: Making the Most of the Season

Spring Outdoor Play: Making the Most of the Season

Having a Picnic

Having a Picnic

Growing Tomatoes in Preschool Gardens

Growing Tomatoes in Preschool Gardens

Seating & Spaces Outdoors to Observe and Just Be

Seating & Spaces Outdoors to Observe and Just Be

Early Childhood Health Outdoors (ECHO)

Early Childhood Health Outdoors (ECHO)

Learning About Birds, Bugs, and other Critters

Learning About Birds, Bugs, and other Critters

Inclusion of Natural Elements in the Play Yard

Inclusion of Natural Elements in the Play Yard

Questions About Digging in the Dirt

Questions About Digging in the Dirt

Beyond the Jack O’ Lanterns: Using Pumpkins to Support Learning

Beyond the Jack O’ Lanterns: Using Pumpkins to Support Learning

Child Care OLE Regulation FAQ in North Carolina

Child Care OLE Regulation FAQ in North Carolina

Plant of the Month: August – Passionflower

Plant of the Month: August – Passionflower

Resources from Toxic Free NC

Resources from Toxic Free NC

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VIEW DISCLAIMER

The Natural Learning Initiative (NLI), its partners and supporting entities assume no responsibility for the installation of outdoor components and/or designs and their use. In no event will NLI be liable for any loss or damage, including without limitation, indirect or consequential, incurred during the construction or use of outdoor play and learning environments. NLI further suggests adherence to the guidelines set forth in the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission’s Public Playground Safety Handbook and to follow local, state, and national code requirements concerning but not limited to land use, zoning, safety, accessibility, permitting, and approval of plans prior to construction.

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Raleigh, NC 27695-7701


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children smelling herbs in garden with teacher

Growing Up with Nature

Creating environments for healthy human development and a healthy biosphere for generations to come.

- NLI Mission

For 25 years, the Natural Learning Initiative (NLI) has applied community-based, equity-driven design thinking to create healthy, natural play and learning environments. The NLI Resource Hub offers a collection of free public resources dedicated to supporting the development of biophilic play and learning environments where children can grow up caring for the planet and each other. These resources encompass landscape design, research, professional development, and information dissemination.

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What are NLI Resource Hub Categories?

Design Sites

Real-world places where NLI has provided professional landscape architecture design assistance.

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Infosheets

Two to four page documents about implementing and maintaining nature-based play settings.

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Interactive Apps

Web-based teaching tools and virtual experiences about exploring and designing nature-based play settings.

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Leaflets

Single-page documents about activities for children and caregivers in nature-based play settings.

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Natural Learning at Home

A month-by-month newsletter series about nature-based activities for children and families at home.

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Programs

Comprehensive projects that combine design assistance, research & evaluation, professional development, and dissemination & communications.

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Publications

Printed and published books and resources about nature-based design, education, childhood, and more.

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Research

Published scientific research about nature-based design, childhood, behavior mapping, and more.

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The Green Desk

A blog series responding to NLI’s most frequently-asked-questions.

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Videos

Videos created by NLI and our partners about nature-based design, education, childhood, and more.

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What are NLI Resource Hub Tags?

Affordable Settings

Elements of outdoor learning environments that can be built and deployed at a low cost, but with a great impact.

Community Engagement

Families, partners, neighborhoods and cities that help outdoor learning environments thrive and grow.

Fundraising

Information for raising resources to build and maintain outdoor learning environments.

Gardening

Resources about growing plants and all the different ways it benefits young children.

Healthy Eating

Fruits and vegetables, trying and tasting, growing and eating. Learn how young children can be excited to eat nutritious food.

Outdoor Installation

Building and constructing outdoor learning environments can be challenging. Find resources to guide your project.

Outdoor Management

Maintaining and sustaining outdoor learning environments is vital to their long-term success. Learn about managing environments.

Outdoor Safety

Risk management in play areas is critical for certification and regulation. Learn how to create safe spaces and address concerns.

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The Natural Learning Initiative (NLI), its partners and supporting entities as­sume no responsibility for the installation of outdoor components and/or designs and their use. In no event will NLI be liable for any loss or damage, including without lim­itation, indirect or consequential, incurred during the construction or use of outdoor play and learning environments. NLI further suggests adherence to the guidelines set forth in the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission’s Public Playground Safety Handbook and to follow local, state, and national code requirements concerning but not limited to land use, zoning, safety, accessibility, permitting, and approval of plans prior to construction.