Prescott Unified School District No. 1
Outdoor Learning Initiative
Mission
To collaborate with teachers and staff to advance student success and well-being through healthy, hands-on, and standards-based outdoor learning opportunities.
Overview
PUSD Outdoor Learning Initiative (OLI) is a district-wide collaboration between the PUSD Farm-to-School Program, the City of Prescott's Community Nature Center and Park Ranger Program, the Highlands Center for Natural History's Schoolyard Habitat Program, and other outdoor initiatives. OLI provides educators, staff, and students with access to free outdoor learning that enhances in-school, after-school, and out-of-school experiences. Outdoor learning sites include gardens, schoolyards, habitats, nature centers, parks, trails, camps, and more. OLI also connects PUSD to community organizations that offer other outdoor learning opportunities. Through lessons, projects, supplies, field trips, and community connections, OLI enhances teaching, learning, & well-being for thousands of students each year.
History of Outdoor Learning at PUSD
1974 - PUSD built the Community Nature Center
1977 - PUSD's first school garden was built at the Community Nature Center
1977 - PUSD launched the Prescott Creeks and Watershed Program
1991 - PUSD outdoor education experiences were facilitated at the Community Nature Center under the direction of Nichole Trushell and the Highlands Center was born
1991 - present - Highlands Center continues its outdoor education experiences with PUSD at their site built on the Prescott National Forest
2006 - City of Prescott purchases PUSD's Community Nature Center
2008 - PUSD's first schoolyard habitat was built at Miller Valley Elementary
2012 - 2022 - Schoolyard Habitats installed at schools across PUSD
2014 - PUSD was awarded the USDA Farm to School Planning Grant
2014 - 2022 - Edible school gardens were installed at every PUSD school, including pre-K
2019 - PUSD was awarded the USDA Farm to School Implementation Grant & launched a 3-year AmeriCorps VISTA Project to build the program
2020 - Intergovernmental agreement affirmed between PUSD and the City of Prescott, reopening the Community Nature Center with Park Ranger programs and four outdoor classrooms
2021 - The City of Prescott built the Grizzly & Jaguar School Trail System, linking Abia Judd Elementary and Granite Mountain School to the Community Nature Center
2022 - PUSD hired a full-time Farm to School Coordinator and Outdoor Learning Coordinator and opened the PUSD Outdoor Learning Center
PUSD#OUTDOORS
