There is no better place to learn and experience nature than in the great outdoors. Gone are the days of learning about nature through textbooks and classroom lectures. Today’s teaching approach puts eager young minds right where it all happens, in the great outdoors. From hiking woodland trails to kayaking scenic rivers, we’re introduced to so much more by being in Nature’s Classroom. The sights, sounds, smells and textures that nature has to offer leave a lasting impression and the appetite with a desire to learn more. Click on a link below to see more!

 

Nature Walks	Little Naturalist	Wild Links
Explore opportunities to get outside and enrich your understanding of the world around you	An interactive children’s environmental program featuring quarterly events for families and groups	Links providing educational information about Florida’s wildlife, plants and habitat
Tools	Kids' Corner	Events
Tools and resources to help teachers and parents engage children in the natural environment	Activities and games just for kids	Upcoming events that celebrate the environment and our connection to it

Nature-based recreational activities also promote health and wellness. Regular physical activity provides short-term benefits and reduces long-term health risks. Moreover, physical activity doesn’t have to be strenuous to be beneficial. The simple act of walking thirty-minutes at least five times can have a dramatic positive impact on people of all ages.

Natural areas open to the public allow for families, educational institutions, non-profit groups and others to explore and learn about Sarasota County’s native environment and natural habitats. In fact, anyone visiting a natural area has the opportunity to learn about the plants and animals of southwest Florida. Interpretive signs, instrumental tools at natural area sites, further enable users to educate themselves about their natural surroundings.