Register now! Space is limited.

We invite you to participate in this exciting event.

With the heightened awareness of nature deficit disorder and biophobia, it is important for landscape architects, designers and contractors to connect children with nature through the design and construction of effective outdoor play spaces. We invite you to study our research-based principles for designing environments that encourage whole-child development and positive relationships to nature.

 Please join us for this four-day institute, held at Lied Lodge’s world-class facility, surrounded by the natural beauty of Arbor Day Farm. The Institute will be led by experienced designers and educators from Nature Explore and The Outdoor Classroom Project.  

Learn to create and critique concept plans developed on-site for a nature-based outdoor classroom through a design workshop process, or participate in two on-site installation experiences. Then, discuss the principles of design and the implications for construction. You will leave the institute with a “toolkit” of books, DVDs and a comprehensive Implementation Guide outlining design and construction principles.

 We are in the application process for LA CES (continuing education credits) approval.

As a benefit to Contractors who attend, they will be given priority consideration on Nature Explore design/ build projects.