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Traveling Naturalist

A group of students posing on a rock fixture at Bridgeport State Park during their Field Day.
TN Field Day with Brewster 4th graders to Bridgeport State Park (April 2025)

Outdoor Education On-the-Go: Traveling Naturalist in the Classroom

Not all students and schools have the resources to visit the Wenatchee River Institute (WRI) campus to walk our trails, watch birds, explore the river, and get up close and personal with nature. WRI's Traveling Naturalist in the Classroom (TN) Program was created to reach more students and increase access to environmental education in North Central Washington, with a special focus on schools serving low-income populations and a high percentage of students of color.

TN Program
  • A group of 3 girls sitting on the banks of the Wenatchee River with colorful leaves surrounding them, pointing at wildlife across the river.

    Students playfully uncover the secrets of the natural world, one lesson and one season at a time. Here, a group of students spot wildlife across the Wenatchee River...

  • Three students dutifully documenting their discoveries in nature journals perched on rocks at the WRI campus.

    Kids become explorers: whether studying erosion on a fall hike, identifying birds in spring, or journaling about their nature discoveries...

  • An educator leaning over desks at a school showing 4 students a box of nature discoveries.

    WRI Field Educators are welcomed into each classroom for a lesson every month. They build relationships with these students throughout the year!

  • A group of students sit on rocks and benches bent over their nature journals making their observations.

    Students also embark on at least one Field Day to the WRI campus or a natural area around their school. Here, students from Brewster visit Bridgeport State Park...

  • Two students looking out on the Wenatchee River with the mountains in the background with fall leaves surrounding them.

    Every experience is an adventure designed to spark students’ curiosity and kindle a lifelong love for the environment...

  • A large group of students convenes on the banks of the Columbia River before their lesson.

    For many of the students, these outdoor adventures are their very first! By working directly with schools, WRI can ensure that every student is reached, no matter their background...

  • Two students making observations of some natural items in their classroom using a stereoscope and hand lens.

    Each classroom gets visited monthly throughout the year to learn different lessons! Here, they learn to use some tools to make observations in their classrooms...

  • A volunteer demonstrates how to use binoculars to a group of students.

    The TN Program builds confidence in kids, who might not otherwise see themselves as people who enjoy nature, to explore the world outside like a naturalist...

  • A group of students sitting on a hillside filled with Arrowleaf Balsamroot as they document their discoveries in their nature journals.

    Students don't just learn about nature; they learn from it. They develop critical observation skills, a sense of wonder, and a profound appreciation for their local ecosystems...

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“These types of exposures to science are rare for our students.” – Local School Principal

For countless students in our region, genuine outdoor experiences beyond a city park or playing field are a rarity. That's where the TN Program steps in, bringing nature's wonder directly to 4th and 5th grade students across eight schools in six North Central Washington school districts!

The curriculum is experiential, aligns with Next Generation Science Standards, and focuses on structure and function in the natural world. The program includes:

  • Monthly classroom visits.
  • One Field Day at WRI’s 13-acre campus in Leavenworth or at a natural area nearby the school.
  • TN 2024-2025 Statistics

    Just last year, WRI Field Educators made nearly 10,000 impactful interactions with students across all of WRI’s Youth Programs, with the TN Program accounting for more than half of those!

    Averaged across the schools served in the TN Program last year, 82% of students are BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color), nearly 90% receive free or reduced meals, and 50% are multilingual learners.

As a dedicated WRI volunteer since 2009, Tim (affectionately known as Turtle Tim to students) shared:

“This is a prime age to get these kids aware about their environmental impact, how to take care of the place they live, and truly get that awareness into their heads, hands, and hearts.” – Turtle Tim, Volunteer

Every lesson, every Field Day, and every shared story builds a foundation for something profound. This hands-on program transforms their perspective, empowering them to become curious stewards of our shared natural world.

Thank you to the funders that have made this program possible since 2019!
  • Williams International Fund
  • National Recreation Foundation
  • A generous local family

Resources

  • Many of the funding sources are no longer available for this program, putting it at risk for the upcoming school year. We are deeply committed to continuing this work, but we need your help to keep the program alive!

  • Our Traveling Naturalist Program needs YOU! Click here to sign up to volunteer for a classroom visit or a Field Day, and share your love of the outdoors with students. 

  • For more information on the program for teachers, click here. Make an inquiry for us to visit your school!

Thank you to our business supporters, partners, and funders!
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