KEYS Guide for a Community Built

Natural Learning Environment

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KEYS 4 HealthyKids

P.O. Box 1547

Charleston, WV 25326

304-388-7145

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Example Timeline

First and Foremost– Educate staff, parents, and the community on the importance and benefits of nature play in young children.

Month 1–Team meeting. Determine location and who will attend. Decide whether to hire a landscape designer or not. Seek funding.

Month 2–Community meeting to discuss project. Gauge interest from community. Get ideas and buy-in from community members and partners.

Month 3 - Design consultations with landscape designer and/or team. Complete a pre-assessment using an evidence-based tool (such as Go NAP SACC). Take before photos.

Month 3–Finalize/approve design, materials list, implementation plan.Present plan to team members and/or community members.Share photos of design on your website, social media page, parent newsletter, etc. Look for additional funding if necessary.

Month 4 -Planning team meeting and purchase materials. Assign roles.

Month 4 –Organize, plan and host first community build day. Tip – Have flavored water and offer refreshments or a healthy lunch! Share photos on your website, social media page, parent newsletter, etc.

Month 4 – Team meeting. Community meeting.

Months 5-7 – Organize, plan and host second community build day. Share photos!

Month 8–Organize, plan and host third community build day. Share photos/successes on your website, social media page, parent newsletter, etc.

Month 9 – Put finishing touches on natural learning environment. Have meeting to plan grand opening. Post- assessment (Go NAP SACC). Take post photos and share them.

Month 10 – Grand opening of new natural learning environment!

This guide is to help you plan and build a natural learning environment at your site. Whether or not you choose to hire a professional landscaper, this guide will be helpful as you plan. Steps 4-5 are best to plan after you have a design.

Step 1: Build Your Natural Learning Environment Team(See list on page 5 for ideas)

List who will be on your team to participate in the design meeting and help construct the natural learning environment.(It is advised to have team members including staff, parentsand community members, some of whom are skilled in building. We recommend a minimum of 5 and a maximumof 8 people.)

List name and relationship to your site (whether is located on city property, school or private)

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Step 2: Mobilize Your Community

  • How will you involve additional staff, families, and community members in the project planning process? Although the core team is limited to 8 people, it is suggested to have a plan to involve the families and community.
  • How will youbuild awareness of your plan to create a NLE and garner support and ideas? (Social media, newsletters, etc.)

Step 3: Assess your current status. (Beliefs, physical environment, usage)

  • Complete a self-assessment of your current outdoor environment using an evidence-based tool such as Go NAP SACC. See
  • What do you believe are the benefits of a natural learning environment?
  • What are some ways you anticipate the natural learning environment will enhance your program and community?
  • How will you use your natural learning environment to increase physical activity and consumption of fruits and vegetables?
  • What age groups will your NLE serve?
  • How often will your NLE be used? How many children will be using it?

Outdoor site constraints and considerations

  • What size is your outdoor space currently? Are there differentsections for specific age groups in your current outdoor space?
  • Do you currently have any NLE elements in your program already? Ex. A large boulder, tree, garden. If so, what?
  • What existing structures or equipment (if any) need to stay in your outdoor space?
  • What elements would you like incorporated into your new space? Ex. Bamboo tunnel. See or for ideas.

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  • How is maintenance provided for the outdoor space currently? How often and by whom?

Constructing and sustaining

  • You will need to plan several community build days. How will you recruit volunteers for community build days?
  • How will you recruit volunteers that are skilled in building/planting?
  • How will your natural learning environment be maintained?

Step 4: Prioritize

  • Choose which elements of a NLE you want added with consideration for space, resources and maintenance issues.
  • Schedule a design consultation with a NLE designer to show him/her your ideas. He/she will look at your space and consider your wants and needs to create a design. The designer can present the design and materials list to the team and/or community.

Step 5: Take Action

  • Build the NLE! Plan build days with your team. The timeline on page 2 is a suggested timetable for the process.Start with a small team build day to build confidence.

Potential Partners or Team Members

Community Organizations
Youth services
Family services
Community Service
Food banks/pantries
Soup kitchens/meal programs
Volunteer groups
Civic groups/clubs
Community Volunteers
Community-minded individuals
Parents
Extension Master Gardeners
Economic Development/Businesses
Chamber of Commerce
Local business owners
Grocery stores
Gym owners
Local growers (gardeners/farmers)
Education
K-12 Schools (Public & Private)
Community and Technical Colleges
Colleges & Universities
Extension Services
Local library
Farm 2 School
Faith Community
Churches
Faith-based programs
Faith-based youth groups
WVU Extension Service
Agriculture and Natural Resources
Youth Development
Nutrition Programming
Food Safety
Community Volunteers
WVSU Extension Service
Youth Development
Youth Gardening
Economic Development / Family Resource Networks
Each county has own FRN
Health Care/Medical
Clinics
Hospitals
Physicians
Nurses
Dieticians
Physical therapists
Law Enforcement/Criminal Justice
Police Dept.
Sheriff’s Dept.
Media
Television
Radio
Newspapers
Neighborhood
Neighborhood Associations
Homeowners Associations
Housing Developments
Recreation
Local gyms
Local sports teams
Parks and Recreation
Local YMCA
Resource and Referral Networks
Link
Connect
Mountain Heart South
Policy Maker/Elected Official/Government Official
Mayor
City Council
City planners
City managers
Legislators

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