(by Willa Coroka)

A proclamation introduced by the New Hampshire Environmental Educators (NHEE) was approved by NH’s governor, officially naming April as Outdoor Learning Month across the Granite State.

The proclamation encourages all students, educators, families, and communities to embrace the outdoors and enhance learning through outdoor experiences. From bringing a reading lesson out to the ballfield or practicing basic physics using swing sets on the playground, opportunities are endless when it comes to teaching beyond the confines of the classroom. Sample lesson plans and outdoor learning activities for those interested in incorporating environmental education into their April curriculum can be found on the NHEE’s website under the Resources tab. Explore NH Audubon’s educational resources for your classroom, youth group, or just learning with your family or friends as well.

There’s still a few more weeks to participate in this exciting excuse to get outside, so what are you waiting for? Pull out your camera, nature notebook or easel, or simply rest in the rare spot of sunshine that slips through those April showers. Invite a friend, bring along a relative, and remember, NH is a spectacular state to experience and enjoy all that the great outdoors has to offer, just maybe pack a parka before you head out to explore – it’s been quite the snowy, slippery spring!