BC Parks Foundation

Learning by Nature Launches at Over 100 Schools Across BC

Last week, on a sunny morning at General Wolfe Elementary in Vancouver, BC Parks Foundation joined the Honourable Julie Dabrusin, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, and the Honourable Tamara Davidson, BC Minister of Environment and Parks, to celebrate the official launch of Learning by Nature—a unique Federal–Provincial–Private partnership supporting environmental literacy for youth across the province. 

Through the Government of Canada’s Climate Action and Awareness Fund, the program is receiving $1.8 million in federal funding, alongside a $1.5 million contribution from the Province of British Columbia and support from private partners, including the BC Parks License Plate Program. 

“Getting kids to understand the importance of nature will make us a healthier, a stronger society—for many, many generations.” 
 —Ross Beaty, Chair, BC Parks Foundation 

Learning by Nature is transforming schoolgrounds across BC, giving students the chance to learn about climate change, biodiversity, and the health benefits of nature—right where they are. By bringing real conservation connections to schoolyards, the program is building a culture of stewardship, supporting Indigenous-led conservation, and helping youth understand their role in shaping a healthier future. 

“This is truly a made-in-BC approach: strong partnerships with organizations and our federal government counterparts, as well as working closely with Indigenous communities, knowledge keepers, and children,” said Honourable Tamara Davidson. “When we connect youth to nature on their own school grounds, we are showing them the beauty of the natural world, which is key to growing a culture of environmental stewardship.” 

Alongside six leading school districts, BC Parks Foundation will install Nature Parks on school grounds—green spaces designed to support student well-being, increase biodiversity, and connect each school to a sister park or protected area.  

These outdoor learning spaces are grounded in place-based education that honours the land, its history, and the cultures that care for it. 

“Environmental literacy is incredibly important for adapting to climate change and preserving the environment for future generations.” —Honourable Julie Dabrusin. 

This spring, more than 100 student-led projects have already launched across BC, turning schoolyards into living labs through pollinator gardens, bird boxes, biodiversity monitoring tools, and other hands-on climate and conservation efforts. You can explore a map of BC showing the location and details of each project here.  

And this fall, the next big step begins: the installation of the first six Nature Parks. 

Thank you to our government partners and to all those who support this program through the BC Parks license plate initiative. 

Want to follow along as Learning by Nature continues to grow? Sign up for our newsletter and join us in building a future where every school in BC has access to nature-based learning.