Helping Youth Build Connections to Nature

by Anne Townsend, Erin Garrett | November 2, 2026 | People

A group of children and one adult pose on a wooden walkway in front of a rocky cave in a forest. The sun filters through the canopy in the background.

From Right to Left (Front Row) Wesley Grant Stroehlein, Phinleigh Hudson, Peyton Suits, Caroline Shelton, and Randall Bass-Townsend. (Back Row) Holden New, Bowen Kelley, Elijah Morris, Oliver Schmidt, Henry Newman, and (teacher) Laura Hicks’ second grade class at Ferne Clyffe State Park waterfall. Photo by Anne Townsend.

Over the years, the ways different generations interact with nature have changed. For many adults, the way they view the natural world was shaped when they were young, with early memories formed through time spent outdoors catching fireflies on summer evenings or exploring local creeks and forests. Those experiences then helped create a lifelong connection to nature.

Four children and a woman stand under a rocky bridge. Lush green ferns and understory plants surround the group. — Left to right: Randall Bass-Townsend, Holden New, Elijah Morris, Anne Townsend, Phinleigh Hudson on a quest through a rock hole. Photo by Jay New.

Natural Resources, Environment, and Energy staff from Illinois Extension have the opportunity to witness the importance of those connections through their work with Master Naturalists in southernmost Illinois. Extension Educator Erin Garrett and Extension Program Coordinator Anne Townsend work with their dedicated volunteers to support stewardship projects such as invasive plant removal, trash blast cleanup events and habitat restoration activities. Master Naturalists also contribute to community science programs such as the Community Collaborative Rain, Hail, and Snow Network (CoCoRaHS), which tracks precipitation data, and Snake Road Sentinels, which monitors wildlife migration along one of the region’s most unique ecological areas in the Shawnee National Forest.

While these programs provide meaningful opportunities for learning, service and conservation, one question often comes to mind: what are we doing to engage youth as the next generation of environmental stewards?

Engaging Youth Through Outdoor Experiences

We are exploring ways to engage youth in meaningful nature experiences. A new program began with a group of second-grade students at Lick Creek Elementary School who were offered a chance to examine nature through a variety of lenses, recognizing that many children today are growing up in a highly digital world. Rather than viewing technology and nature as competing interests, this program seeks to discover how they might complement one another.

Starting in February, students participated in outdoor exploration activities while also utilizing technology to document observations, ask questions and share discoveries. These experiences connected what youth were encountering outside with the digital tools they use every day. Thanks to funding from an Illinois Department of Natural Resources Biodiversity Field Trip Grant, students were able to expand their learning beyond the schoolyard by taking a field trip to Ferne Clyffe State Park in May.

The field trip was centered upon connecting youth with Master Naturalist volunteers who could share their passion for volunteering and why they spend time in nature. Master Naturalists Kathy Tolson, Pat Dunbar and Patti Powell shared personal stories about why nature is important to them and how they contribute to conservation efforts in their communities.

On a wooden walkway near a rocky outcropping adults watch children work together on worksheets. — Right to left: Kathy Tolsen (Master Naturalist), TJ Newman (parent), Laura Hicks and Ella Barnhill (Lick Creek School staff) observe Bowen Kelley and Henry Newman (students) working on completing their activity book. While father and son Holden and Jay New work together to compile their observations. Photo courtesy of Anne Townsend.

Kathy Tolson spoke about serving as a bluebird monitor for Trail of Tears State Forest. Students learned about bluebird nesting boxes, how populations are tracked, and the responsibility involved in monitoring a route throughout the nesting season.

Pat Dunbar shared her experiences as an odonate monitor at Ferne Clyffe State Park. Odonates include dragonflies and damselflies, and she explained how observing and documenting these insects helps researchers understand ecosystem health. She also discussed changes she has noticed over the years and why long-term monitoring is important.

Patti Powell introduced students to her work as a Snake Road Sentinel on the Shawnee National Forest’s famous Snake Road. She described how volunteering helped her overcome her fear of snakes and develop a deeper appreciation for their role in the ecosystem. Her story reminded students that learning about nature can also help challenge their assumptions and fears.

After hearing from the volunteers, the students divided into smaller groups and set off down Rocky Bluff Trail toward the waterfall, guided by a Master Naturalist. Each student was given a role during their nature exploration time: some served as loggers, recording the time and documenting observations on their maps; others were photographers, capturing images of plants, animals and natural features they wanted to remember or share with others; and still other were scouts using compasses and trail markers to help guide their groups toward their destination.

A collage of three photos side-by-side. The photo on the left is of a group of children and adults walking down a trail in a lush green woodland. In the middle photo, a child holds up a small cylindrical clear plastic terrarium with a bug inside. In the background is a lush green woodland. The photo on the right is of a child holding up a worksheet on a clipboard. In the background is a child and an adult walking down a trail in a woodland. — Left: Walking down the trail. Middle: Elijah proudly holds up a small case including a bug and collected habitat. Right: Holden working on his map. Photos courtesy of Anne Townsend.

Along the way, students practiced observation skills, teamwork and problem-solving. More importantly, they learned that everyone has a valuable role to play when exploring and caring for the natural world. Some collected tiny bugs and tried to recreate their habitats. Others stopped to listen to birds, while a few eagerly scampered off to explore paths carved out of sandstone boulders.

Experiences like this help students strengthen friendships, discover the importance of teamwork and build confidence through shared exploration. They also help foster a sense of stewardship and curiosity, and encourage young people to see themselves as active participants in their communities.

A collage of three photos side-by-side. The photo on the left is of three girls on a rock in a woodland. In the background are lush green understory plants. The middle photo is of an adult handing out tape to students sitting on a wooden walkway in a lush green woodland. The photo on the right is of two students standing on rocks near a rocky stream. In the background is a moss covered boulder. — Left: Phinleigh, Randall and Payton adventuring on a rock. Middle: Anne Townsend passing out tape to secure photos on a worksheet. Right: Caroline and Peyton at the waterfall. Photos courtesy of Anne Townsend.

After moving on to third grade, these students chose to continue their journey together by joining a 4-H club, called ClubCORE. Through club meetings and activities, they plan to continue exploring the outdoors while helping adults better understand how technology can enhance, rather than replace, a connection to nature.

Anne Townsend is the Natural Resources, Environment, and Energy Extension Program Coordinator for University of Illinois Extension in the southernmost five counties of Illinois. She coordinates, leads, and trains volunteers in the Master Gardener and Master Naturalist programs and manages two food donation gardens in Metropolis and Cairo. She loves to share her creativity with youth and adults alike through learning adventures.

Erin Garrett is a Natural Resources, Environment, and Energy Extension Educator for University of Illinois Extension in the southernmost five counties of Illinois. In this role, she develops and delivers high impact programming to local and statewide audiences to help them develop an appreciation for natural resources and to empower them to make small changes to positively impact the environment. She is the author of the Grasses at a Glance blog and co-host of the Everyday Environment series, which includes a blog, podcast, webinars, and social media videos that explores our connection with the natural world. She serves as a local coordinator for Master Gardener and Master Naturalist volunteers, as well as manages two food donation gardens.