Pembroke, ON — June 17, 2026 — Students at Renfrew County District schools will soon have a new kind of place to learn, explore, and breathe. The Renfrew County District School Board (RCDSB) has partnered with the Re-Nature Foundation, a national initiative advancing outdoor classrooms and school forests across Canada.
As part of Re-Nature’s inaugural cohort, 19 RCDSB schools will participate in the program’s first phase. Over two years, these campuses will receive custom-designed outdoor learning spaces, updated curriculum resources, and hands-on professional mentorship for educators.
This initiative is made possible through a cost-sharing partnership, with Re-Nature funding 80 percent of the project costs and the RCDSB contributing the remaining 20 percent from its capital budget. The groundwork for this rollout was laid last August and September during a joint presentation by the RCDSB and Re-Nature to municipalities across Renfrew County. The Board extends its sincere thanks to the many local mayors and councillors who stood behind this vision and backed the grant applications.
Connection to RCDSB’s 2026-30 Strategic Plan
RCDSB’s vision is to transform its schools into landscapes for learning by anchoring the Ontario Curriculum in outdoor learning and place-based experiences. Research consistently links nature-based learning to lower anxiety, greater classroom engagement and a deeper sense of security among students.
The initiative aligns directly with all three strategic priorities from RCDSB’s Strategic Plan 2026–2030: Indigenous Education, Well-Being and Belonging and Foundational and Future-Ready Skills. Specifically, RCDSB is focused on integrating outdoor learning into the Kindergarten program for the 2026-27 school year.
“Renfrew County District School Board is a leader in outdoor learning and environmental education,” said Kristen Niemi, Chief Executive Officer, RCDSB. “These outdoor learning spaces will enhance the rich learning opportunities that many RCDSB educators are already providing to their students.”
Canadian research consistently shows that learning in nature isn’t just a break from school - it is where learning happens; it is a dynamic space where students move, observe and collaborate.
From Asphalt to Ecosystems
The Re-Nature program was inspired by the work of Adam Bienenstock, founder of Bienenstock Natural Playgrounds, whose team has built more than 4,500 nature-based environments worldwide by replacing hard surfaces with durable green infrastructure.
“If we are asking children to reduce screen time, we must provide meaningful alternatives that support their mental health, learning, and connection to nature,” said Bienenstock.
To track real-world results, the program will collect baseline and post-implementation data to measure the direct impact of these green spaces on student mental health and academic success across the District.
Two Years of Comprehensive Support
Participating schools will receive full support from the ground up, beginning with site design and construction and continuing through curriculum integration. Teachers will have direct access to professional development, enabling them to confidently take lessons outside. The program is built to last, ensuring the tools and mentorship remain sustainable long after the initial two years.
About the Renfrew County District School Board
The Renfrew County District School Board provides public education to approximately 9,000 students across 21 elementary and seven secondary schools in Renfrew County, Ontario.
For more information, please contact:
Jay Makwana
Communications Officer
Renfrew County District School Board
(613) 735-0151 ext. 2290
[email protected]