You are invited
For children growing up in historically underserved urban neighborhoods, nature can nurture well-being, awaken curiosity, and open a world of possibilities.
Yet these children’s access to nature is most limited.
Not ready to leave after his very first visit to the sanctuary, a third grader asked:
“If I don't go back, what's going to happen? I don't want to go.”
City to Sanctuary
We offer a practical way for Title I public schools to give children a sustained, meaningful relationship with nature.
We bring these together so regular nature experiences become possible—without schools building new infrastructure.
Become a Monthly GiverWhat our three-year pilot revealed
of students reported improvements in their well-being
of teachers reported stronger social-emotional skills in their students
student cohorts showed increased connection to nature
City to Sanctuary pilot, 2022–2025 · 197 students · 2 Title I Public Schools in Harlem
Across three years of our City to Sanctuary pilot, several different indicators began pointing in the same direction: the positive impact that connecting to nature has on children’s emotional health.
Agreement with “Being outdoors makes me happy” increased in 5 of 5 cohorts, with 3 of 5 reaching 100% agreement by year-end.
cohorts moved positively
reached 100% agreement
Across all three High School cohorts, substantially more students ended the year saying they turned to nature when they felt sad — increases ranging from 20 to 31 percentage points.
When students reflected on their experiences in nature, feelings of peace and calm were the most frequently reported.
of substantive High School responses to well-being/emotion questions reflected peace or calm.
Most frequently expressed well-being theme.
“It impacts my mental health in a very positive way and I love being around nature. There are no parks around where I live. It is a lot of fun walking around a forest and listening to the sound of silence.”
“It made me have a clear mind out for coming exams and made me feel peaceful.”
“The sanctuary taught me to be more at peace with nature, be more at peace in my surroundings.”
These quotations illustrate patterns identified through qualitative analysis of High School for Climate Justice students’ open-ended responses, not isolated testimonials.
Nile was 16 and known at school for his challenging behavior—missing assignments, struggling in class, and needing significant support from his teachers.
But at the sanctuary, his teachers saw a different Nile.
Engaged. Curious. Kind. Responsible. Happy.
For two years, he never missed a sanctuary visit. He arrived early, permission slip in hand, found the perfect walking stick before each hike, and returned to favorite places along the trail where he could step away, sit quietly, and imagine.
When asked why he came every month, his answer was simple:
“I need nature.”
Connection to Nature Index
RSPB UK National Study
Children ages 8–12
scored 1.5 or higher
City to Sanctuary
Elementary 2024–25
Above the 1.5 benchmark
The RSPB study provides contextual reference data, not a matched comparison group.
School leaders
School leaders strongly agreed City to Sanctuary positively impacted their students
2025 stakeholder surveys were collected from the two pilot participating schools’ leaders and teachers, reflecting on their cumulative experience with City to Sanctuary from 2022–2025.
Teachers
What Three Years Taught Us
Students increasingly associated it with happiness, calm, reflection, and emotional coping.
Become a Monthly GiverA growing commitment
And the schools already with us?
Their principals are asking to bringevery class.
The question is no longer whether schools want this.It's how many children we can reach.
↓You can help children return to nature, month after month.
Help us reach our $30,000 GivingTuesday goal by December 1
Every monthly gift helps children return to nature, month after month, throughout the school year—supporting transportation, naturalist-led learning, and everything needed to make these experiences possible.
Thinking of making a larger commitment or exploring a partnership?We'd love to talk
Not ready to jump in just yet?
We’d love to stay connected! Follow along as more children discover the joy of nature, month after month.
A childhood is made of moments.
Help make these moments impactful, month after month.
