Environmental Education & Outdoor Learning

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Welcome to the home page for the Environmental Education Programs led by Seattle Parks and Recreation. Our trained staff and volunteer guides provide a variety of ways to connect with the flora and fauna of our beautiful city.  Programs and activities are held year-round and located across Seattle in various parks, community centers, schools and other neighborhood locations.  Staff and volunteers work hard to offer outdoor and experiential learning opportunities that foster awareness, appreciation and knowledge of the natural environment, and engage diverse communities in actively restoring, preserving and protecting the earth. Our work is broken down into four types of Environmental Education Programs. Click on the links below to learn more.  

School Programs

Excitement, joy, energetic exploration and a healthy learning environment!  Teachers, this is what your students will experience on a field trip to Seattle parks. You will derive the benefits of a lesson plan integrating Next Generation Science Standards and Washington State Essential Academic Learning Requirements led by highly trained Seattle Urban Nature Guides.

Seattle Parks and Recreation Environmental Education staff provide pre-school - fifth grade field trips in Seattle parks. These engaging activities are usually based at the lovely Discovery Park, Camp Long, Carkeek Park and West Seattle beaches. With advanced notice programs can be customized and provided at a nearby park in your school's neighborhood.

Choose from a variety of habitats from ponds and beaches to forests and seasonal offerings such as an exciting spider program to encourage students to engage in learning in a natural fun-filled fashion. Download the information flyer here for more information.

Programs are offered Tuesday - Friday morning and afternoon year-round. K-5 programs are two hours long. PreK programs are 1.5 hours long.

adult and several pre-teens watching birds in the trees

Pricing and Scholarship Info:

  • $150 for up to 30 students, $5/student after the first 30
  • $75 for up to 30 students for low-income schools/classrooms (50% or more receive free or reduced lunch)
  • Free bus transportation available for Title 1 schools

For more information and to schedule your school field trip program, please contact Devonn Berry at 206-684-0877 or email Devonn.Berry@seattle.gov

Public Programs

Environmental Education Public Programs are offered in parks and neighborhoods across the city. Seattle Parks and Recreation is the largest land owner in Seattle and has the responsibility to connect all residents to the green spaces we manage. Public Programs showcase community-based environmental practices and support increased environmental stewardship, providing opportunities to explore outdoor environments and build healthy communities.

For more information about our Public Programs, please contact Giovannina Souers, Program Supervisor, at 206-684-7086 or email Giovannina.Souers@seattle.gov

Community Partnership Programs

Using the Equity and Environment Agenda as our framework, SPR Community Naturalists work across the city of Seattle to partner with community-based organizations to connect people with engaging and meaningful experiences in nature.  

Current Community Partnerships

  • Daybreak Star Indian Cultural Center
  • Delridge Neighborhood Development Association
  • Duwamish Longhouse & Cultural Center
  • Duwamish Valley Youth Corps
  • ee360 Community EE Fellowship
  • Garfield Community Center
  • Green Seattle Partnership
  • Hiawatha Community Center
  • Hunger Intervention Program
  • International District Chinatown Community Center
  • Lake City Collective
  • Lake City Teen Program
  • Lake City Youth Leaders
  • National Wildlife Federation
  • Seattle Public Libraries - Lake City Branch
  • Seattle Public Libraries -High Point Branch
  • Seattle Public Libraries- South Park Library
  • HighPoint Youth Tutoring Program
  • South Lake High School
  • Yesler Community Center Yesler
  • E. African Women Elders
  • YMCA Earth Service Corps
  • Young Women Empowered

Community Naturalist Contact Info

Lan Lum
Southeast + Central Seattle
Contact: Lan.Lum@seattle.gov

Jeanie Murphy-Ouellette
Southwest Seattle
Contact: Jeanie.Murphy-Ouellette@seattle.gov

Jacob de Guzman
North Seattle + Native Communities
Contact: Jacob.deGuzman@seattle.gov  

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