our impact

We partner with Nystrom Elementary, Verde K–8, DeJean Middle School, and Richmond High School to bring nature-based programs directly to students and families.

Each year, more than 1,000 children, youth, and families from TK–12th grade take part in our programs, spending an average of 25 hours outdoors and engaging in over five unique experiences per participant.

Together, the Richmond Outdoors Coalition (ROC) delivers 200+ outdoor programs annually—both during and outside of school hours. These connected experiences in nature expand access to the outdoors, nurture curiosity, and build lasting connections for Richmond youth and families.

Annual findings

5.4 200+

program experiences per participant

programs

25 1,049

programming hours per participant

program participants

ROC participants, parents, and teachers describe that outdoor and hands-on learning in ROC programs contribute to students’ academic, social, and emotional development through joyful experiences, that foster a sense of connection to and appreciation of nature.

Outcome areas and outcomes

- Increase in understanding of environmental education program content
- Increase in social-emotional development and competencies
- Increase in engagement in learning
- Increase in culturally relevant curriculum
- Increased positive attitude toward nature and science learning
• Increase in time spent in nature and decrease in time spent on screens
• Increase in connection to nature
• Increase in positive attitudes toward nature and environment
• Increase in comfort and enjoyment to explore outdoor spaces
• Increase in self-agency in the outdoors
• Decrease in fear, anxiety, unknown
• Increase in sense of place and place connection
• Increase in perceived wellness and health as result of being in outdoors
• Increase in civic and community engagement
• Increase in self-efficacy
• Increased pro-environmental identity
• Increase in participants’ competence, confidence, character, caring, connection or contribution
• Increased motivation and ability to care for community
• Increase in youth reported positive feelings towards family and community
• Increase in time playing and feelings of joy
• Increased sense of community belonging
• Increase in participants who feel welcome and comfortable in outdoor spaces
• Decrease in barriers to accessing nature
• Decreased perception of natural outdoor experiences and/or areas as inaccessible
• Increased knowledge of outdoor opportunities through ROC and community
• Increase in programs honoring Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (JEDI) in outdoor spaces in outdoor spaces
• Increase in diversity of organizational leadership, program staff and mentors
• Increase in culturally aware and responsive programming