What are the opening hours?

Monday 8:30am - 5pm Tuesday 8:30am - 5pm Wednesday 8:30am - 5pm Thursday 8:30am - 5pm Friday 8:30am - 5pm

Natural Learning Initiative

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United States
Raleigh, NC
Natural Learning Initiative

Creating environments for healthy human development and a healthy biosphere for generations to come.

The Natural Learning Initiative team is composed of a group of committed professionals with diverse professional and personal backgrounds. Our team has expertise in landscape architecture, architecture, urban planning, geographical information systems (GIS), early childhood development and policy, and play.

09/03/2026

NLI virtually joined the Rhode Island Department of Health for the Rhode Island Farm and Sea to School Institute in Narragansett, Rhode Island. The full-day institute brought together early childhood and school-age professionals to explore how outdoor learning environments, gardening, and nature connection can support children’s health, learning, and development.

Find out more at:
naturalearning.org/ri-farm-and-sea

08/14/2026

The Natural Learning Initiative has officially moved!
Our new space provides a bright, open design studio in a more central location of the NC State College of Design, creating new opportunities for research, collaboration, and the continued design of nature-rich environments where children and families can learn, play, and connect with nature.

After 25+ years of advancing nature-based design and outdoor learning, we’re excited to begin this next chapter from our new home.

Find us at:
Brooks Hall, Room 117
50 Pullen Rd, Raleigh, NC 27607

Come visit us!

07/30/2026

Achieving Nature Play and Learning On and In the Ground presented by Matt Urbanski
Coming up soon, August 5, 2026 at 12:00pm - 1:00 pm

For over 25 years, MVVA partners Matt Urbanski and Michael Van Valkenburgh have invited NLI to collaborate on projects supporting children and families. MVVA’s portfolio shows expertise in the field of landscape architecture as a health-promoting intervention. In this presentation, Matt will share MVVA’s evolving approach to designing for free play, including Gipson Play Plaza.

Don't forget to register and submit questions online at:
naturalearning.org/design-institute-2025

07/16/2026

The Nature Playscape at Conestee Nature Preserve, with NLI as the lead designer, received a Merit Award in the General Design Category from the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) Southeast Regional Conference (SERC). The award recognizes excellence in landscape architectural design throughout the Southeast and highlights NLI’s leadership in creating innovative outdoor environments that connect children and families through nature play, exploration, and learning.

Find out more at: naturalearning.org/conestee-award

07/09/2026

At the 2026 Grow Outdoors South Carolina Convening, more than 100 early childhood professionals, educators, designers, and community partners came together to explore how thoughtfully designed, nature-rich outdoor learning environments can support children's healthy development, play, and learning.

Through hands-on workshops, site visits to local outdoor learning environments, and collaborative discussions, participants experienced practical strategies for transforming outdoor spaces into places where children can explore, discover, and thrive.

Learn more about the 2026 Convening: https://growoutdoorssc.org/2026-convening/

05/13/2026

We were honored to welcome Fariha Tariq to the Natural Learning Initiative office. A former student of Robin Moore, Tariq now serves as Dean at the University of Management and Technology located in Lahore, Pakistan. Her visit focused on fostering future collaboration and strengthening connections between North Carolina State University and UMT.

04/29/2026

On April 8, the Natural Learning Initiative (NLI) took part in NC State’s first-ever Extended Reality (XR) Showcase—an interactive “playground” where faculty and staff explored the future of learning.

Instead of a traditional presentation, attendees moved freely between stations, experiencing immersive tools developed through a 2023–2024 DELTA Exploratory grant. From virtual reality (VR) to augmented reality (AR), participants got hands-on with technologies transforming how we teach and learn. 🎮🌱

04/22/2026

Join the NLI network for FREE webinars featuring the five speakers from the NLI 18th Institute.
Peter Gray, PhD, will discuss how, over the past 75 years, multiple societal forces have limited children’s free play, independence, and outdoor freedom—and the movements now working to reverse this trend.
Register here: https://naturalearning.org/design-institute-2025/

03/25/2026

Make Your Mark by supporting the Natural Learning Initiative at NC State University, building on more than 25 years of continuous work advancing outdoor learning environments for children and communities. Your gift will help support students, expand research, design innovation, and bring nature-rich learning spaces to communities that need them most. Together, we can create healthier places for children to grow and learn.

https://dayofgiving.ncsu.edu/early?campaign_id=253559&utm_campaign=do-lmhipp&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral&fallback_message=Natural%20Learning%20Initiative%20Fund%20(045014)&utm_term=DOG26LINKB

03/23/2026

The story follows four friends through a day of outdoor discovery. From racing trikes on looping pathways to whipping up “treats” in a mud kitchen, the “Butterfly Buddies” highlight how naturalized spaces foster physical activity and healthy habits in our youngest learners. While over 700 copies have been delivered to Grow Outdoors SC in Columbia, SC for distribution to childcare centers, those interested in the project are encouraged to reach out!

Address

2230 Stinson Drive
Raleigh, NC
27607

Opening Hours

Monday	8:30am - 5pm
Tuesday	8:30am - 5pm
Wednesday	8:30am - 5pm
Thursday	8:30am - 5pm
Friday	8:30am - 5pm

Telephone

+19195158345

Website

http://www.naturalearning.org/

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