Nature and Education

Where Education Takes Root

Meaningful and consistent contact with nature is essential for sustainable communities.

At UNature, we're reimagining education through the lens of nature connection. We believe in expanding beyond cognitive skills to include sensitivity, sensory experience, and emotional connection—learning not just with the mind, but with the whole being.

Through our nature-based education pillar, we facilitate learning in, with, through, and for nature—working with children, teachers, families, and adults to create immersive educational opportunities.

Research-Based Pedagogy

People worldwide are spending dramatically less time outdoors than previous generations— a trend especially true for children and adolescents. This disconnection from nature, compounded by increasing screen time and sensory-deprived school environments, corresponds directly with rising rates of psychological disorders among children. 

A robust and expanding body of evidence confirms that nature-based learning supports the developmental needs of children and adolescents, boosts mental health and emotional well-being, and improves academic outcomes:

  • Students in biophilic learning environments achieved test scores three times higher than those in traditional classrooms

  • Nature-based learning has been shown to boost perseverance, problem solving, critical thinking, leadership, teamwork, and resilience

  • Studies show that outdoor education settings better restored poor mood and supported personal goal reflection compared to indoor settings

  • Natural environments have been shown to promote attention restoration, helping students recover from the directed attention fatigue caused by academic tasks

The positive impacts of nature on cognitive ability, resilience to stress, and attention restoration are also scientifically proven in adult populations. Our programs are designed on this research foundation, with ongoing evaluation to track impact and refine practice.

Leading Europe in Nature-Based Learning

We believe Luxembourg can become a pioneer in nature-based education — where outdoor learning is woven into the fabric of schooling and teacher training, and where every Luxembourger can benefit from regular, meaningful contact with the living world.

Luxembourg's education system can lead by:

  • Embedding nature-based learning throughout curriculum and teaching practice

  • Providing comprehensive training and ongoing support for educators

  • Guaranteeing that all schools have access to suitable outdoor learning environments

  • Valuing nature connection as foundational to student development and community building

  • Positioning education as a cornerstone of environmental stewardship and climate resilience

UNature is committed to partnering with government, schools, and communities to design, test, and expand these innovations. Our goal is to make nature-based learning accessible, effective, and sustainable throughout Luxembourg's education landscape.

What We’re Building

UNature is currently piloting programs across schools and youth organizations, while also collaborating directly with the Ministry of Education on program design, content creation, and educator capacity-building.

The Forest and I

Developed by UNature and fully supported by the Œuvre Nationale de Secours Grande-Duchesse Charlotte, The Forest and I is a hands-on educational program that invites students to step away from screens and into the living world of the forest.

Through immersive experiences, high school students rediscover their place in nature — awakening curiosity, resilience, and a deep sense of belonging. After successfully completing the program with 300 students, the initiative is currently in its second phase, expanding its reach and deepening its impact across Luxembourg schools.

UNature Courses

Our courses combine scientific foundations, hands-on tools, and deep personal experience to equip participants with the confidence and competence to design and facilitate meaningful nature-connection experiences in schools, workplaces, and communities. Participants don’t just learn about nature-based approaches — they practice them, reflect on them, and integrate them into their own professional context.

Other Programs & Services

  • School Immersion Programs: Extended nature-based learning experiences engaging students' cognitive, emotional, and sensory capacities

  • Teacher Manual “And if we were nature?”: This practical guide helps educators strengthen students' connection with nature, developed with support from the European Investment Bank Institute (EIB) 

  • Therapeutic Nature Programs: Targeted interventions for students navigating emotional and mental health challenges

  • Policy Advisory Services: Strategic guidance and research support for government initiatives in nature-based education