NH Gov. Chris Sununu Proclaims April 17-23, 2023 Outside for Five Week!
As a part of the North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE) Affiliate Network, the New Hampshire Environmental Educators (NHEE) has launched a pledge campaign called Outside for 5 encouraging teachers and educators in New Hampshire to engage in outdoor learning for at least five minutes a day, five days a week, or any meaningful amount of time.
The Outside for 5 campaign was developed in response to the pandemic-related decline in youth mental health and the associated impact on classroom educators who have faced increased levels of burnout. With many students and teachers returning to school after a chaotic two years, the campaign is focused on engaging school communities in outdoor learning as a way to provide a more enriching and healthy learning environment.
"We are excited to announce that New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu has proclaimed April 17-23, 2023 as Outside For Five Week in the state of New Hampshire!" said NHEE board president, Leigh Ann Reynolds. 
There is a large and growing body of evidence-based research that demonstrates the benefits of outdoor learning for mental health and well-being, stress reduction, physical health, student engagement, and academic success. Outdoor educational experiences also offer schools an opportunity to ignite learning, which addresses both social and emotional well-being as well as learning loss.
“Our goal with this campaign is to inspire educators to think outside the box when it comes to enhancing the social-emotional wellness of their students, each other, and their entire school community,” said Sarah Bodor, NAAEE’s Director of Policy & Affiliate Relations. “We want kids to get outside and experience the benefits of nature’s classroom.”
NHEE invites educators of all grade levels to sign the Outside for 5 pledge online at www.outsidefor5.com and commit to spending at least 5 minutes a day outside with their students. Whether that means teaching a classroom lesson outside, studying the local ecosystem, or taking a short walk across the school campus, everyone can benefit from going Outside for 5.
To sign the pledge and learn more about the Outside for 5 campaign, visit www.outsidefor5.com.
About the New Hampshire Environmental Educators (NHEE)
After meeting informally for some time, New Hampshire Environmental Educators officially formed in 1979 and is now recognized as a non-profit organization in New Hampshire. NHEE is governed by a volunteer board of directors. New Hampshire Environmental Educators is a network of individuals and organizations working to inspire connection to our natural world by supporting high quality environmental education and advancing environmental literacy. NHEE envisions a NH where all people value and feel connected to our natural spaces, are environmentally literate, and act as social and environmental stewards in their communities. NHEE also coordinates the NHEE’d to Get Outside Grant, which is open to NH schools or 501(c)3 non-profit organizations to provide students hands-on, experiential, outdoor learning opportunities. Since 2018 we've awarded $55,180 that enabled 9,592 students to get outside! Learn more about NHEE and the NHEE’d to Get Outside Grant at: www.nhee.org and https://nhee.org/node/85
About the NAAEE Affiliate Network
The North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE) Affiliate Network supports the many types of educators who teach concepts we all need to understand: how natural systems work, what we must do to interact responsibly with the environment, and how we can protect natural resources for future generations. We are the largest network of environmental educators in North America. Collectively, we inspire educators, schools, and communities to impact conservation, education, social justice, health and wellness, and positive youth development. Find your Affiliate: https://naaee.org/affiliates