Photo supplied by RCDSB
Nearly 20 schools in Renfrew County will receive new outdoor learning spaces as part of a partnership between the Renfrew County District School Board and a national initiative aimed at expanding nature-based education across Canada.
The school board announced that 19 schools have been selected to participate in the first phase of the Re-Nature Foundation’s outdoor classroom and school forest program.
Over the next two years, participating schools will receive customized outdoor learning environments, curriculum resources and professional development opportunities designed to help educators integrate outdoor learning into their teaching.
The initiative is being funded through a cost-sharing arrangement, with Re-Nature covering 80 per cent of project costs and the school board contributing the remaining 20 per cent through its capital budget.
School board officials said the project supports the board’s goal of expanding outdoor and place-based learning opportunities across the district.
“Renfrew County District School Board is a leader in outdoor learning and environmental education,” said Kristen Niemi, the board’s chief executive officer. “These outdoor learning spaces will enhance the rich learning opportunities that many RCDSB educators are already providing to their students.”
The board said research has linked outdoor learning to improved student engagement, reduced anxiety and a stronger sense of well-being.
The initiative also aligns with the board’s 2026-2030 strategic plan, including priorities related to Indigenous education, student well-being and future-ready skills. Officials said the board is focusing on integrating outdoor learning into kindergarten programs during the 2026-27 school year.
The Re-Nature program was inspired by the work of Adam Bienenstock, founder of Bienenstock Natural Playgrounds, whose company has created thousands of nature-based play and learning environments around the world.
“If we are asking children to reduce screen time, we must provide meaningful alternatives that support their mental health, learning, and connection to nature,” Bienenstock said in a statement.
The program will also collect data before and after implementation to measure the impact of the new green spaces on student mental health and academic outcomes.
According to the board, participating schools will receive support ranging from site design and construction to curriculum integration and teacher training, with the goal of ensuring the program remains sustainable beyond the initial two-year period.
The Renfrew County District School Board serves about 9,000 students through 21 elementary schools and seven secondary schools across Renfrew County.
(Steve Berard)
