The Forest School Founder has partnered with the nonprofit organization, EverWild Education Collaborative (EverWild Forest School), to create a scholarship fund to break down barriers of inclusion and get all kids outside.

The benefits of nature are innumerable. From positive health outcomes such as a reduction in hypertension and respiratory illnesses, to improved academic achievements such as higher test scores and increased executive functioning - nature is a critical asset to healthy and prosperous communities (1).

Yet, low-income populations have significantly less access to nature as their wealthier counterparts (2). Inequitable access to nature not only negatively impacts the lives of individuals, but holds ramifications for entire communities. For example, mothers living in greener neighborhoods tend to give birth to healthier babies and this relationship is strongest for those from lower income or educational backgrounds (3). These findings prove that whole communities and multiple generations benefit from high-quality connections to the environment.

The EverWild Education Fund provides scholarships to children and families in low-income communities for participation in high-quality nature-based education programs to promote health and wellness and close economic and educational gaps.

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Citations:

Jennings, V, Larson, L., Yun, J., (2016). Advancing sustainability through urban green space: Cultural ecosystem services, equity, and social determinants of health. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 13(2)
Rigolon, A., (2017). Parks and young people: An environmental justice study of park proximity, acreage, and quality in Denver, Colorado. Landscape and Urban Planning, 165, 73-83.
Wolf, K.L., Lam, S.T., McKeen, J.K., Richardson, G.R.A., van den Bosch, M., Bardekjian, A.C., (2020). Urban trees and human health: A scoping review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(12)