Richard Louv

American nonfiction author and journalist

“In my book, Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children From Nature-Deficit Disorder, I wrote: ‘An environment-based education movement—at all levels of education—will help students realize that school isn’t supposed to be a polite form of incarceration, but a portal to the wider world.’ The California Statewide Outdoor Learning (CalSOL) movement can open this portal, not just for the well being of our children’s health and minds, but for the health of our planet. California has the opportunity to be bold and lead the world.”

Dr. Luis A. Rankins-Ibarra

Superintendent, Escondido Union School District

"A classroom isn't defined by four walls. And outdoor classrooms are some of our most important learning spaces. These experiences provided by our local outdoor education partners leave a lasting impact on our students, many of whom don't get to connect to nature beyond their urban neighborhoods."

Rob Machado

Professional surfer and environmental activist

"The Rob Machado Foundation endorses the CalSOL campaign because California's oceans are never going to be clean unless our children get outdoors and experience firsthand why the environment matters."

Frances Lang

Executive Director, Ocean Connectors

“I’ve endorsed CalSOL because outdoor education is a formative part of everyone’s childhood. K-12 public schools should receive funding for outdoor education because experiences in nature are essential to cultivating a future generation of educated, inspired citizens who care about the health of our environment.” 

Greg Koch

Co-Founder, Stone World Bistro & Gardens

“The goals that CalSOL aspires to are ones that I personally believe in. I am well aware that countless studies have shown that meaningful connection to nature in youth increases our connection to all things, creating better ability to interact and learn going forward.”

Dr. Jennifer Long

Education & Outreach Coordinator, University of California, Irvine Center for Environmental Biology

Jennifer Long is the Education & Outreach Coordinator for UCI’s Center for Environmental Biology (CEB). CEB works with partners across Orange County to conduct research related to ecological restoration and to translating science through K-12, after-school, and public outreach programs. She received her Ph.D. in Education from University of California, Irvine in 2015. Her research centers on science learning in informal environments, including science centers, after-school programs, and educational media. More specifically, this work focuses on the effectiveness of designed environments in helping people learn about the natural world.