To the editor:

When a community needs to invest in big ideas but it’s a time of financial hardship, this is a unique moment for private citizen generosity. Here’s the big idea worth investing in: if we can nurture a personal relationship between our young people and nature, we can begin to heal what is ailing us, our fellow creatures and our planet.

So many of our troubles are a result of the growing disconnect between human beings and nature. What if we could address the youth mental health crisis, health problems resulting from chronic sedentary behaviors, academic disengagement and “nature deficit disorder” all at once?

Have you heard about the new Outdoor Learning Zone coming to the Kickemuit Middle School? With all of the discussion about the school bond construction, you may have missed this unrelated project that will give KMS students and teachers daily access to an outdoor classroom, growing garden, outdoor performance space, meadow walk, and much more.

Outdoor Learning Zones and outdoor education training for teachers have been proven to promote academic success, pro-environmental behaviors, and healthy emotional/physical development while expanding access to outdoor learning for students with physical disabilities and students facing other barriers. The KMS project addresses climate resiliency through native meadow/woodland habitats and green building and stormwater mitigation practices. RI Department of Environmental Management has designated the area west of the school as an environmental justice area. Central to the project is the goal of equitable access to nature: 24% of the student population is economically disadvantaged, 17% are minorities, and both have been traditionally marginalized with limited access to natural spaces.

The basic elements of the design are supported by about $120,000 in funding, made up of grants from the Rhode Island Department of Education and the Eastern Conservation District of RI, and donations from Thrive Outside’s Funders Collaborative. With additional funds, there can also be a Creativity Space, Outdoor Learning Adventure Area, and a designated Reset Space which would be utilized primarily by the guidance department for student counseling and mindfulness work. Community fundraising efforts are underway.

Environmental literacy, hands-on learning, physical activity, team building/leadership, mindfulness in nature, and increased creativity, curiosity and engagement happen when kids get to thrive outside. As many as 650 KMS students stand to benefit from the project, and potentially 509 Hugh Cole students down the road. Outside of school hours this green recreation space will benefit Warren residents, and has the potential to draw tourists into the town as well.

KMS needs around $160,000 in additional funding at the time of this writing to bring to fruition the full Outdoor Learning Zone envisioned by the design team, made up of Thrive Outside landscape architects, teachers, administrators and students. We need major donors to take a leadership role here.

If you have a key that opens the door to learning beyond classroom walls, please contact SheilaDobbyn@thriveoutside.info.

Sheila Dobbyn
15 Cottage St.