Discovering Nature As Our Greatest Teacher, Healer, and Classroom

From the air we breathe to the food we eat, nature is within and all around us. We drink the sun through our skin and use it to grow our bones. We oxygenate our blood by exchanging air with trees. Our bodies are made of mostly water. We are nature.​

Trees, Bees, Children, and the Future: ​

Tree Goals

The United Nations aims to plant billions of trees by 2030 to fight deforestation. The U.S. supports this with the Trillion Trees Act, and Maryland plans to plant 5 million trees by 2031, focusing on urban areas. Baltimore City aims to expand its tree canopy to 40% by 2037, adding approximately 750,000 trees to achieve this goal while targeting heat-affected neighborhoods. Learn more here.

Why Trees Matter

Trees absorb carbon dioxide, release oxygen, and regulate temperatures. In Baltimore City, they reduce heat, improve air quality, and enhance public spaces. Expanding tree cover creates healthier, more equitable neighborhoods.

Trees, Bees, and the Next Generation

Trees support bees by providing food and habitats. Bees pollinate plants, ensuring ecosystems thrive. Teaching children about trees and bees fosters responsibility and protects these vital relationships for the future.

Trees are the pillars of environmental justice, supporting a sustainable future for people—especially the children of today, who deserve to bequeath a habitable planet to their grandchildren.

Bees Prepare for Winter​

This past fall, students from Arlington Elementary had an unforgettable adventure at the Piedmont Learning Center bee apiary! Donning bee suits, they got an up-close look at the hive, learning how bees collect pollen, make honey, and prepare for the cold months. Students discovered the fascinating way bees stay warm in winter by shivering together to generate heat, gaining a deeper appreciation for these hardworking pollinators and their critical role in our ecosystem. A huge thank you to the Piedmont Learning Center for hosting this buzzing experience and to the students and teachers of Arlington Elementary for their enthusiasm and curiosity!

This fall, our field trips were filled with learning and unforgettable moments. Students explored our local history and ecology and engaged in hands-on science and stewardship activities to uncover the wonders of nature. From vibrant gardens and buzzing pollinators to lush forest hikes, each adventure highlighted the joy of outdoor exploration. A heartfelt thank you to all the students, teachers, and volunteers whose enthusiasm and curiosity made these trips so special—you inspire us every day! 

True heroism comes from everyday acts of stewardship and compassion.

Check out the video above for context on our approach in concert with the city and the national network. 

Students from 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 5th grades suited up in bee gear for an unforgettable day at Piedmont Learning Center. Every grade harvested and processed honey from the hives, spinning the frames in hand-cranked extractors and watching golden honey flow through fine filters. The sweet highlight was tasting the honey they helped harvest!

Arlington Elementary students painted this mural over the course of our four field trips to Piedmont Learning Center this fall!

Second graders encountered a native Maryland Eastern Box Turtle during their hike, sparking curiosity about protecting wildlife.

Along their hike, these third graders paused learn about and support local pollinator habitats, spreading milkweed by cracking open pods and releasing thousands of seeds. 

Yes, milkweed is essential for butterflies because it's the sole host plant for monarch butterfly caterpillars and provides nectar for other pollinators: 

• Monarch butterflies

  Female monarchs lay their eggs on milkweed plants, and monarch caterpillars can only eat milkweed. Monarchs are often called milkweed butterflies because of this.

• Other pollinators

  The flowers of milkweed plants provide nectar for bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects.

• Habitat

  Milkweed plants are a keystone species that support up to 90% of butterflies and moths in our specific ecoregion.

Fifth graders combined their lessons with a reflective forest walk, sharing ideas on how to protect these natural spaces. During their hikes through the restored meadow and Gwynn Oak Park, students observed native plants, crossed the Gwynns Falls River, and fed ducks and geese. They explored the park’s historical significance as a once-segregated amusement park integrated in 1963.

The combination of honey harvesting, wildlife encounters, and meaningful hikes left every student with a deeper understanding of pollinators and the importance of environmental stewardship.

On land, the students became citizen scientists, using worksheets to evaluate the park’s species diversity and overall health. They counted newly planted trees, identified plant and animal species, and assessed the condition of tree canopies. During their walk along the trails, they brainstormed ideas to improve the park, such as planting more trees or creating outdoor classrooms and nature centers.

When they noticed trash littering the forest and beach areas, the 4th graders jumped into action. Equipped with gloves and trash pickers, they filled bags with debris, making a tangible impact on the environment. Their day at Middle Branch Park demonstrated the importance of caring for Baltimore’s green spaces and gave students hands-on experience as environmental stewards.

The day would not be complete without songs and s'mores!

Pre-K and Kindergarten students had incredible experiences connecting with nature during their field trips to Puh’tok in the Pines.

 During their hike, Pre-K students stepped into their roles as citizen scientists, observing plant and animal species along the trail. They explored the pond at Frog Hollow, felt the soft mats of moss under their fingertips, and breathed in the fresh forest air. Highlights included  discovering puffball mushrooms on logs and meeting Rubie, the corn snake. Children practiced gentleness and curiosity while learning about her role in the ecosystem.

Kindergarteners also enjoyed a day full of discovery and hands-on activities. During their hike, they flipped logs to find decomposers, sparking excitement and curiosity about forest life. The children fed the horses, offering handfuls of hay to the gentle giants. Their day ended with games, nature art, s’mores, and the joy of flying the Arlington Eagle kite. Both grades left inspired by the beauty and wonder of the natural world.

We extend our deepest gratitude to the incredible staff at Camp Puh’tok, Piedmont Learning Center, and Baltimore City Recreation and Parks at Middle Branch Park for their dedication and support in making our field trips so successful. Your expertise, enthusiasm, and commitment to helping us creating fun, engaging, and educational experiences made these trips unforgettable for our students. From guiding them through hands-on activities like beekeeping and honey harvesting to leading hikes that inspired curiosity and wonder, your efforts ensured that every moment was both safe and meaningful.

A special thank you also goes to the amazing Arlington Elementary School teachers, para educators, lunch staff, custodians, and administration, whose hard work and coordination made these trips possible. To the parents and volunteers who contributed their time and energy, your support ensured that our students had a safe and enriching experience.

Thank you to everyone who played a role in making these field trips successful, fun, and memorable. It truly takes a village, and we are so fortunate to be part of such a caring and dedicated community!

This fall marks the grand opening of the Difference Makers Center in West Baltimore, a vibrant new hub dedicated to empowering youth and fostering community growth. The center unites education, restoration, and research partners under one roof to provide holistic opportunities for learning and collaboration. Offering educational programs, mentorship opportunities, and a safe space for creativity, the Difference Makers Center focuses on sustainability, leadership, and social impact to shape a brighter future for West Baltimore and beyond.

Introducing The Baltimore Forest School:

A Cooperative Model for Healing Baltimore's Past, Nurturing Our Present, and Protecting Our Future

The Baltimore Forest School (BFS) is a cooperative of environmental educators dedicated to creating safe and sacred spaces for Baltimore’s underserved children. Our mission is to transform children's rights from ideals into lived realities by providing equitable access to outdoor learning, healing, and the best practices in education.

BFS operates with a unique quad-sector approach that integrates education, environment, economy, and health. Through strategic collaborations with schools, government agencies, faith based organizations, and research institutions, we drive both policy-level changes and grassroots initiatives to build resilient communities. The BFS Flower Logic Model illustrates how centering children in efforts to improve the environment, education, and health creates positive ripple effects that benefit families, professionals, and entire communities.

At this year’s Baltimore Ecosystem Study annual meeting, we were honored to present alongside our partners at Temple X. Our presentation focused on the Baltimore Forest School Flower logic model, which highlights how schools are often isolated in an education silo. To get the best return on investment as a state, we need to strategically invest through a child-centered framework that extends beyond schools.

This approach focuses on partnering with adjacent faith institutions to improve the environments around schools, creating jobs that support those environments, and promoting the health of children and their communities. By aligning efforts across sectors, we can build a system that supports both students and the broader ecosystem.

InDiGO’s culturally responsive and community-centered approach is recognized by its Ujima Service Rating, a community-based assessment conducted over three years by faith leader Iya Keturah Monroe for best practices and standards of excellence for service as agreed to and understood by the community it serves. InDiGO has become the first business in the educational service industry to undergo the Ujima Service Rating process and achieve a 5 fist rating.

Remembering our connection with nature has never been more important for a generation of children, or the next seven. The Seventh Generation Principle is based on an ancient Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) philosophy that the decisions we make today should result in a sustainable world seven generations into the future.

What kind of world are we leaving for our children, and how are we preparing them to lead? The future leaders are in schools today. By connecting them to nature and teaching them about its importance, we nurture resilient individuals and communities alongside a healthier planet.

The Baltimore Children’s Outdoor Bill of Rights emphasizes more than nature access—it empowers children to protect their environment and communities. Environmental education equips them with the skills to lead, advocate, and create positive change, recognizing that protecting the environment means protecting each other.

Investing in Baltimore’s green spaces is an investment in children’s futures, offering clean air, safe water, and spaces to learn and grow. Restoring these areas ensures every child can thrive in a safe, supportive environment.

To support Maryland’s educational goals, we must equally prioritize environmental, economic, and community health. Together with youth, schools, and local partners, InDiGO is bringing the Baltimore Children’s Outdoor Bill of Rights to life, empowering the next generation to care for their world and each other.

Please support us by forwarding this newsletter to anyone you know who may be interested in or inspired by our work. We are building a network of young people, educators, and advocates to help us discover nature as our greatest teacher, healer, and classroom.

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