Expanding Nature-Based Education in Colorado

We are asking for your support in expanding access to full-day Outdoor Nature-Based (ONB) Education in Colorado. As a Collective of educators, advisors, and parent advocates, we have started a fundraiser to promote the core values of a newly formed organization (https://www.cocollectivenaturebasedearlyed.org). Your dollars go directly towards helping the current efforts at the Capitol to pass legislation creating an option for full-day licensure for ONB programs.

OUR GOALS

Currently, there isn’t an option for licensing a full-day nature-based preschool in Colorado. To do this, we need to reach the right people, with the right materials and research so we can highlight the value and importance of ONB programs. Any money raised in this fundraiser will be used to collect/analyze data, explore legislative options, and create a peer-to-peer support program for providers. Your dollars are going to lobbying efforts put forth by 3015 Policy Center. We believe that this process is crucial to the success of our efforts. Since we first asked for your support, approximately one month ago, we have secured a bill sponsor, made progress in drafting rules, and continued to build our relationship with CDEC. We believe continuing this process is crucial to our success.

OUR STORIES

Shannon is committed to making Forest Schools accessible to all. She has two graduates of Denver Forest School (DFS) and a three-year-old who is currently enrolled full-time. Denver Forest School allowed her family to survive the first year of COVID. Her Kindergartener at the time was able to focus on being a kid and enjoy the outdoors with friends, rather than sitting on a screen trying to learn his ABC's. She was nervous to enroll her middle child when he was three because of his significant speech delays and hearing loss. Her worries were put at ease quickly when he started creating friendships with his peers and teachers. His speech and confidence significantly improved due to the one-on-one conversations and patience these relationships provided. Shannon strongly believes that her middle child would not currently be excelling in elementary school if he would have been in a traditional preschool, which has a much higher teacher-to-student ratio. She knows this model isn’t for every family but has seen how it has provided, and currently is providing, an important foundation for each of her three kids. She is hopeful that all families will soon have the same opportunity.

Elizabeth has loved the idea of nature-based preschool since before her kids were in school. Her oldest son began at Denver Forest School when he was three, after Covid canceled his preschool year. At first, he was timid and unsure of himself, but during his time at DFS he has gained confidence in who he is and what he’s capable of. Being in a nature-based program allowed him to approach situations at his own pace, and explore and test his boundaries in a variety of ways. Elizabeth has seen what a positive impact nature-based programs can have on children and families, and hopes that full-day licensing can provide even more families with the option of enrolling their children.

We appreciate our families and friends and hope that you will be able to donate to our cause. If able, please donate to our GoFundMe - every little bit will help us in our effort to create a full-day licensing path for nature-based programs in Colorado. If you have any questions please feel free to reach out to one of us!

With hope and gratitude,

Elizabeth Sayer and Shannon Spezialy