© Conservation Council of New Brunswick 2025
Learning Outside Project
Nurturing Young Minds. Reconnecting with Nature
Bringing Learning to Life with the Learning Outside Project.
The Learning Outside Project is the Conservation Council’s educational outreach initiative, designed to help New Brunswick’s children reconnect with nature—and we’re here to support you, the educators, in making it happen!
We believe that every child deserves the opportunity to learn, play, and explore in nature. That’s why we work with teachers like you to integrate outdoor learning into everyday lessons—across various subjects and grade levels. Whether it’s science, math, language arts, or history, nature offers a dynamic, hands-on classroom that inspires curiosity, creativity, and a deeper connection to the world around us.
Children today spend less time outdoors than previous generations, and we’re here to change that. Join us in bringing learning to life—outside!
Through the Learning Outside Project, we:
- Provide curriculum-aligned activities and resources that make it easy to take lessons outside.
- Offer guidance and support to help teachers use outdoor classrooms and natural spaces—on school grounds or nearby.
- Inspire students to become engaged learners and environmental stewards by experiencing nature firsthand.
Meet our Small but mighty team
Danielle Smith, Director of Education and Engagement
Danielle Smith is the Conservation Council’s director of education and engagement. She has a master of science in forestry, focusing on ecology and wildlife management. Danielle has over 15 years of experience in the educational and environmental sectors. She was responsible for creating, developing and directing the UNB sustainability office.
Danielle is also a professional, environmentally engaged fibre artist. She uses art to engage communities in conversations about the impacts of climate change, creating a sense of wonder and urging people to connect with their communities and the natural world.
Annie Furman, Education Coordinator
Annie Furman is our education co-ordinator. Annie brings a creative spark to the team with her environmental education background and work as a professional climate artist. Originally from upstate New York, Annie has worked throughout Canada and the United States. With a master of fine arts in interdisciplinary studies focusing on performance and sustainability, she’s passionate about helping communities build resilience through local, creative projects. Annie’s work has been performed internationally through Climate Change Theatre Action, and she is a published author whose poems and short stories tackle topics like climate anxiety and making the energy transition fair to everyone. Outside of work, Annie loves hiking, skiing and spending time outdoors.
Erinn Sharpe, Engagement Coordinator
Erinn Sharpe is our engagement co-ordinator. Raised on the Fundy coast, Erinn has a deep love for New Brunswick’s lakes, rivers, and oceans. A University of New Brunswick bachelor of applied arts graduate, Erinn’s educational focus was on environmental intersectionality and how media plays a major role in how New Brunswickers are informed about their local ecosystems. Erinn has previously worked with Ocean Wise Conservation Association and has worked with youth to inspire a connection to their home. Having worked throughout the Wabanakik region they bring a collaborative approach to environmental work, grounded in a strong respect for traditional knowledge. An avid queer outdoors person and gardener, in the summer, Erinn can often be found birding, biking trails or kayaking through New Brunswick, while winter is spent cross-country and downhill skiing.
Matt Abbott, Marine Program Director
Matt Abbott been with the Conservation Council of New Brunswick since 2010 and is the marine program director and Fundy Baykeeper. Matt works from the Conservation Council’s marine conservation office in Saint Andrews. Matt works to find practical and creative solutions to the complex environmental challenges facing New Brunswick’s coastal ecosystems and communities.
These challenges all occur in the context of climate change and range from industrial pollution to depletion of marine species and inadequate environmental laws (or insufficient enforcement of existing laws). Solutions range from advocacy campaigns to policy engagement to direct restoration efforts. Matt welcomes pollution reports by email.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Why Learning Outside?
Kids today spend more time indoors than ever before, and it’s affecting their well-being. Over the last two decades, there has been an increased understanding of the connection between a strong relationship with nature and children’s physical, mental and emotional well-being. But what happens when kids lose that connection?
Nature-deficit disorder (a term coined by author Richard Louv) describes the effects of disconnection from nature—higher rates of physical and emotional illnesses, attention difficulties and diminished senses. It’s clear kids need time outside more than ever.
That’s where we come in. Learning Outside helps combat nature-deficit disorder and eco-anxiety by taking education outdoors. We support teachers in bringing curriculum-linked lessons into our local environment—showing students that nature is part of their everyday lives.
*Louv, Richard. Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children from Nature-Deficit Disorder. Atlantic Books Ltd, 2013, p. 36.
How it Works
Learning Outside supports teachers in developing and delivering curriculum-linked activities centred on environment and climate-focused outdoor, place-based learning. We offer modules on various topics [link program page] that our facilitators are happy to tailor to specific curriculum learning goals. A typical 45-60-minute session includes an introduction and warm-up, an activity or game linked to the module topic, and time for discussion, questions and sharing.
Where and How Often?
Learning Outside comes to you! Our facilitators are based in Fredericton but are committed to bringing programs to students throughout New Brunswick. Programs are available in English and French and can be scheduled during any month of the school year (check out our winter modules!).
Do you have multiple teachers at your school interested in programs? We’re happy to book multiple sessions at once!
Funders and partners
Meet our Partners
In order to deliver the best programming we can, The Conservation Council of New Brunswick works with many other organizations in New Brunswick and beyond that share our goal of getting students engaged in learning outside.
We collaborate with and would like to acknowledge the Sustainability Education Alliance of New Brunswick (SEA-NB), among others. The Conservation Council is also one of the founding members of Great Minds Think Outside, an outdoor professional development program for teachers,
Our work is not possible without support from the New Brunswick Department of Education and Early Childhood Development, especially from the community school coordinators, principals and teachers we work with.
Meet our Funders
Learning Outside is made possible by the generous support of our funders, both past and present. Thank you!