​Nature Pizzeria serves up imagination with a side of sensory play! Children create their own woodland-inspired pizzas using natural materials as ingredients: buckeyes as sausage, mushrooms and twigs for toppings, black river stones as olives, and pine needles as herbs. Birdseed becomes crushed red pepper, while gluten-free cardboard "crusts" and oregano-scented natural playdough complete the menu. This theme blends dramatic play, fine motor skills, and creativity, all grounded in nature. Set up a pizza counter, invite collaboration, and let the forest-to-table fun begin!

​Learning Experiences / Guided Discoveries
Engaging, open-ended investigations that invite children to explore natural phenomena through observation, questioning, and hands-on discovery. These experiences are designed to spark curiosity and deepen understanding across developmental domains—while aligning with early learning standards. Each investigation includes guiding questions, suggested materials, and documentation tips to support emergent learning in outdoor and nature-rich settings.

Growing Green Access
Your evolving hub for nature-based learning
Unlock full access to a rich and ever-growing library of resources designed to support sustainability education year-round. With a subscription or one-time purchase, you'll receive:

​Sustainability isn’t about being perfect — it’s about progress.
At Growing Green, we believe that small, meaningful actions lead to big, lasting change. Whether you're just starting to explore nature-based education or deepening your sustainability practices, our curriculum is designed to meet you where you are.

We offer a simple, supportive path forward — one that embraces curiosity, flexibility, and growth. From introducing young learners to eco-friendly habits to embedding sustainable practices into everyday routines, our approach empowers educators and children to learn together, step by step.

Why start small?
Because change doesn’t happen all at once. It starts with one less piece of plastic, one more outdoor lesson, one conversation about where our food comes from. These small moments add up — shaping children who care for their communities and the planet.

Let’s grow together. Explore our curriculum progression and discover how your journey can begin today.

​
#1 Exposure: Discovering Sustainability
Introduce children to nature, caring for the environment, and simple, hands-on green habits. Perfect for classrooms beginning their eco-journey.

Includes:
Nature Cards
Nature Prompts
Nature Kits

Ideal for: Educators, caregivers, or programs seeking accessible entry points into nature-based learning.

#2 Inspire: Growing Connections
Build on foundational practices and begin weaving sustainability into daily routines and curriculum. Children and educators become more intentional in their choices.

Includes:
NBLA (Nature-Based Learning Alignment)
SESE (Science, Environmental Studies, and Sustainability Education Guides)
Growing Green Book

Ideal for: Educators and leaders looking to bridge nature with curriculum, develop reflective practices, and expand their instructional approach.

#3 Investigate: Deepening Understanding
Empower children to ask questions, explore solutions, and take action. At this level, sustainability becomes a mindset woven throughout the learning environment.

Includes:
Sustainability Audit
Content Toolkits

Ideal for: Programs committed to long-term environmental action, project-based learning, and whole-child, whole-community impact.

Blooming for Change
Implement, inspire + impact

Deepen the Learning with Sprouts
​Grow your practice with purpose

​Start with Seeds to Spark Wonder
Tools to begin your journey

​​Our Tiered Approach to Nature-Based Learning

We offer three intentional tiers of support,  from sparking wonder to empowering sustainable action. Whether you're just starting or ready to lead change, there's a path for you.

Tier 1: Seed – Spark Wonder
Perfect for getting started with nature-based learning.
These simple, flexible tools build curiosity, empathy, and connection through engaging, hands-on experiences.

Includes:

• Nature Cards
• Nature Prompts
• Nature Kits

Ideal for: Educators, caregivers, or programs seeking accessible entry points into nature-based learning.

 Tier 2: Sprout – Deepen the Learning 
Rooted in understanding, aligned with standards.
This tier supports educators in building structured, intentional practices grounded in educational goals and frameworks.

Includes:

• NBLA (Nature-Based Learning Alignment)
• SESE (Science, Environmental Studies, and Sustainability Education Guides)
• Growing Green Book

Ideal for: Educators and leaders looking to bridge nature with curriculum, develop reflective practices, and expand their instructional approach.

Tier 3: Bloom – Lead the Change
Empower students and programs to act for a sustainable future.
Designed for those ready to take full ownership of nature-based education through inquiry, systems thinking, and community leadership.

Includes:

• Sustainability Audit
• Nature-Based Toolkits

Ideal for: Programs committed to long-term environmental action, project-based learning, and whole-child, whole-community impact.

Each spring, families are invited to our Recycled Art Show—a joyful celebration of creativity, community, and sustainability. Children and educators work together to transform everyday materials—bottle caps, cardboard, fabric scraps, broken toys—into imaginative works of art.

This event not only highlights children’s artistic expression but also encourages families to rethink waste and see the beauty in reuse. From sculptures and wearable art to collaborative murals and eco-installations, each piece tells a story of resourcefulness, imagination, and environmental care.

The Recycled Art Show is a meaningful way to:

• Connect learning at school with values at home
• Encourage sustainable habits in a creative context
• Celebrate children’s voices through visual expression
• Engage families as contributors and audience members

Families are encouraged to donate materials, help set up displays, and celebrate with us on the night of the event. It’s one of our favorite ways to show that what we throw away can become something truly beautiful, especially in the hands of young artists.

​​Supporting Our Kits Through Donations

We are grateful for donations from local businesses and companies that provide science tools and other materials to enrich our Nature Kits. Contributions such as magnifying glasses, clipboards, measuring instruments, natural loose parts, and eco-friendly supplies help keep our kits fresh, engaging, and well-stocked for all learners.

If your organization is interested in supporting hands-on nature education through donations, we’d love to hear from you! Together, we can nurture curiosity and foster stewardship in the next generation.

SESE
​NBLA
As part of an Assessment-Supported approach to early childhood education, the tools provided in this section—the Nature-Based Learning Assessment (NBLA) and the Sustainability Education Self-Evaluation (SESE)—are designed to help educators and leaders gather meaningful data, reflect on current practices, and guide intentional growth.

Assessment is not just about outcomes—it’s about understanding how our environments, experiences, and interactions support children's development and learning. These tools offer structured, reflective frameworks that align with a commitment to continuous improvement and evidence-informed decision making in nature-based and sustainability-focused programs.

The NBLA helps assess the quality and authenticity of outdoor learning spaces, focusing on natural materials, ecological diversity, and opportunities for children to explore and interact with their environment.

The SESE offers a comprehensive look at how sustainability is embedded within the culture of a program—across leadership, teaching practices, family engagement, and the child experience.

Together, these assessments provide programs with the insight needed to strengthen and sustain high-quality, eco-conscious learning environments. They support the development of actionable goals and improvement plans that are grounded in observation, reflection, and community collaboration.

​Coming Soon

Social Justice, Sustainability, and Global Impact in Early Childhood Education
In early childhood classrooms around the world, educators are nurturing young changemakers by embedding values of social justice and sustainability into daily learning. From outdoor nature schools in Scandinavia to intergenerational community gardens in South America, children are learning to care for people and the planet from the very start. Different countries bring unique cultural perspectives—some emphasize collective responsibility, others focus on restoring Indigenous practices, and many highlight children's voices in environmental and social movements. By exploring how global communities approach these issues, we can broaden children’s understanding of fairness, compassion, and stewardship, helping them see themselves as part of a connected and caring world.

Digital Downloads

Instant tools for nature-based learning
Grab-and-go resources you can download and use right away! These include printable activities, planning tools, learning prompts, and guides designed to bring sustainability into everyday learning moments. Perfect for educators and families who want flexible, ready-to-use materials.

Plus, print-on-demand means less waste and a smaller environmental footprint. You only print what you need, when you need it — making it a more sustainable choice for eco-conscious classrooms and homes.

Different roots, same garden.

Join Our Growing Family
“Want to connect? Collaborate? Say hi?”
We love hearing from educators, parents, and fellow nature enthusiasts. Whether you have questions, ideas, or just want to share your own muddy adventure, don’t hesitate to reach out!

“The hearts, hands, and wild ideas behind Growing Green Curriculum.”
Meet the passionate educators, nature lovers, and creatives who bring our vision to life — one muddy adventure at a time.

Our team is made up of educators, parents, and curriculum creators who believe that early childhood is the most powerful time to plant seeds of empathy, creativity, and sustainability.

Our Core Team

“Who we are — beyond the titles.”




Name + Role (with fun title if you want)
A personal line or two — what they love about the work or nature, a quirky fact, or a favorite childhood memory.




Example:

Jessica — Chief Play Provoker

Loves mud pies, morning coffee, and dreaming up wild learning adventures.



Ty — Curriculum Gardener

Finds inspiration in forest walks and believes every lesson should include a good story.

What Drives Us
“We’re not just coworkers — we’re a community rooted in care, curiosity, and a whole lot of laughter.”

Our team shares a commitment to joyful, nature-based learning and a belief that every child deserves wonder-filled childhoods.

Together, we create curriculum that feels like a warm hug — educational, playful, and deeply meaningful.
 

Whether you’re a parent, teacher, or curious soul, welcome to Growing Green Curriculum.
Let’s grow together---one muddy adventure at a time.​