Citing benefits such as promoting creativity and problem solving, developing social skills, improving classroom engagement, and increasing physical activity, this bill would charge the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction with establishing a 4-year pilot program for outdoor, nature-based education programs in public schools.

The Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction will review applications, and award grants to up to 15 schools selected for the pilot program.  The locations for the pilot project will be selected across a mix of rural, urban, and suburban locations, and schools with high percentages of students eligible for free and reduced meals should be prioritized. Depending on fund allocations, the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction may put together an advisory group of outdoor educators to inform and support the pilot project implementation. Depending on the amount of funding the legislature makes available, the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction may put together an advisory group of outdoor educators to inform and support the pilot project implementation.

Schools would begin implementing their pilot projects in the 2021-22 school year, and will finish at the end of the 2024-25 school year.  At the beginning of the 2024-25 school year, the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction would submit a report based on their findings from the pilot project, including recommendations for adjusting or expanding the program for outdoor education programs to the governor and committees of the Legislature.