The Aldo Leopold Nature Center's Learning Naturally Initiative seeks to develop in children a lifelong sense of personal responsibility and commitment to being good stewards of the land.

We will achieve this outcome by maintaining and expanding our collaborations with numerous community partners, including Madison Metropolitan School District, Madison Schools & Community Recreation’s Community Learning Centers, as well as neighborhood community centers to deliver Learning Naturally initiative’s core components:

School Field Trips and Bus Transportation Subsidies: ALNC provides field trip and bus transportation subsidies to ensure ALL children can visit ALNC. Field trips incorporate STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) learning and a wide range of Wisconsin academic standards.

After-School Programs for Economically Challenged Youth: ALNC offers after-school programs for at-risk school children year-round. These programs provide quality opportunities to discover and explore the natural world for students who cannot afford traditional after-school activities.

Wonder Bugs On the Road Preschool Program: An educational initiative with the goal to connect very young children (and their parents/caregivers) with nature. To reach an underserved population, we are collaborating with community partners, including Bridge Lake Point Waunona, The Playing Field, and Centro Hispano, to bring our quality programming to their facilities at no cost.

Summer Camp Scholarships: ALNC’s summer camps are tailored to address Wisconsin Academic Standards in a variety of subject areas and to address a variety of learning styles. Children are exposed to educational adventures—while also learning the importance of maintaining a healthy environment—and a healthy body. Scholarship recipients also have opportunities to participate in offsite adventures, including week-long backpacking trips to the Porcupine Mountains, Devil’s Lake and/or a canoe trip on the Kickapoo River.