Nature Education
Triangle Land Conservancy’s (TLC) public nature preserves offer opportunities for everyone to connect with nature. Through a variety of free outdoor education programs, we foster community connection and learning centered on environmental conservation in the Triangle. A core goal of these programs is to provide meaningful, positive experiences outside for youth who might otherwise have limited access to natural and open spaces.
Types of Programs
Individualized Education Programs
Nature education programs strive to promote at least one of the four public benefits of land conservation in each program: safeguarding clean drinking water, protecting natural habitats, supporting local farms, and connecting people with nature. Our programs can be adapted to meet teaching objectives and to incorporate NC State Science Standards and/or Common Core Standards.
Additionally, the TLC Education and Outreach team can work with instructors to create an education program for your group. These programs can also include scientific investigations that teach observation and data collection skills, as well as principle stream and forest ecology.
Guided Hikes and Nature Walks
Guided Hike and Nature Walk programs are led by experienced staff and volunteer Trail Guides who will point out features of the nature preserve, answer questions, and help your group discover local plants and animals. Our walks focus on experiential learning, encouraging groups to stop and explore the forests, fields, streams, and ponds of TLC nature preserves.
Get Wild! Family Programs
Our Get Wild! Event series includes fun and exciting programs for kids and their families to explore natural spaces found in the Triangle. These programs are free and open to the public, although pre-registration is required. Attendees of Get Wild! events have the bonus of collecting nature badges which can be used to earn fun prizes. Learn more about the program and past event themes here.
To Schedule a Program
Please reach out to Kayla Ebert at kebert@triangleland.org to request a staff-led program on our trails. Programs must be scheduled a month in advance.
We recommend spending at least 1.5 hours at the nature preserve. Multiple groups are allowed, though there should be no more than 20 children in one group. See below for how many adults must be present per age group:
| Grades K – 5: 1 adult per 5 children | Grades 6 – 8: 1 adult per 8 children | Grades 9 – 12: 1 adult per 10 children |
Interested in a service project? Check our Volunteer Page for more information.
Educational Partners
If you are an environmental education program looking for outdoor space to run your programs, please reach out to Kayla Ebert at kebert@triangleland.org
Nature Explorers at Johnston Mill Nature Preserve
Nature Explorers offers after-school and full-day adventures at Johnston Mill Nature Preserve, where children can learn about nature and build a love for the outdoors through guided activities.
Stagville State Historic Site at Horton Grove Nature Preserve
TLC and Stagville State Historic Site offer K-12 field trip programs at Horton Grove Nature Preserve that explore aquatic ecology, water conservation, and the history of local water and resource use.
Schoolhouse of Wonder at Brumley Nature Preserve
Schoolhouse of Wonder offers outdoor day camps and field trips at Brumley Nature Preserve, where kids can become kind, curious and confident through nature-based outdoor activities.
Learning Outside at Irvin Nature Preserve
Learning Outside is committed to giving children experiences in the outdoors that enhance their lives and and that instill in them a love of the natural world and a lifelong commitment to stewardship.
