Education
Supporting environmental education in Wisconsin since 1986
Connecting people to nature through education
Many people feel a strong connection to the outdoors because someone—a teacher, family member, or friend—brought them outside and introduced them to the beauty of the natural world. Having that personal connection to nature is important for the health and well-being of people, communities, and our natural resources.
At the Natural Resources Foundation, we are committed to connecting people to nature, by investing in education programs that have a significant impact, and provide meaningful experiences for children and adults to connect to Wisconsin’s great outdoors.
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Environmental Education Hero
Victoria Rydberg-Nania is the Environmental Education Consultant for the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI), co-founder of Field Edventures, and a member of the Foundation’s Environmental Education Advisory Council. Victoria plays a key role for environmental education in Wisconsin by supporting educators across the state, connecting them to resources, and building capacity for meaningful environmental education.
My goal for environmental education is to help people understand the big picture. You can’t separate humans and the environment – you need to look at them together through real-world, broad-based learning experiences. … Once I started using the environment to teach, I saw how engaged the kids were, and how learning all of a sudden became relevant and exciting.

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Impact in Action
Watershed Health and Outdoor Fun on the Namekagon River
Thanks to a 2023 Go Outside Fund grant, 46 students canoe the Namekagon River for hands-on learning about watersheds.
Read MoreSnapshot Wisconsin Trail Cams Capture Rare Wildlife Interactions
Snapshot Wisconsin trail cameras sometimes capture rare wildlife interactions. These photos support research on how different species coexist.
Read MoreWelcoming the 2023 Diversity in Conservation Internship Cohort
We are thrilled to announce our 2023 Cohort of the Diversity in Conservation Internship Program. This year, we are welcoming ten new interns!
Read MoreBanner photo by Tianna Borchardt.