Giving Compass' Take:

• This MLive post (via Children & Nature Network) details a plan from Grand Rapids Public Schools to create outdoor education experiences for all students beginning with the 2019-20 school year.

• Should other districts take a cue from Grand Rapids and explore other ways to connect kids with nature? How can we make sure all children have access to such programs?

• Here's more on the success in using outdoor education as a graduation strategy.

Grand Rapids Public Schools recently announced plans to pilot an initiative that will create outdoor education experiences for all students beginning the 2019-20 school year.

GREEN — Grand Rapids Environmental Education Network — is described as an innovative program that’s a collaborative partnership with multiple organizations committed to an environmental education.

The Wege Foundation provided a $300,000 grant to organize, plan, and pilot the initiative. Additional funds will need to be raised and/or partners brought on to sustain and grow the program, officials say.

“GREEN is a one of a kind partnership between so many impactful organizations in Grand Rapids,’’ said Superintendent Teresa Weatherall Neal, about creating unique programming for all their prekindergarten through 12th grade students.

The lead on the grant is Clayton Pelon, associate director of the Center for Educational Partnerships in the College of Education at Grand Valley State University. The Wege grant awarded to Grand Valley to support the district effort.

Read the full article about Grand Rapids' outdoor education plan by Monica Scott at MLive, via Children & Nature Network.