Brockton Kids Lead the Way

“This program is about helping students feel connected to the outdoors and empowered to take action as environmental stewards in their own communities.”
– Molly Jacobs, Vice President of Environmental Education and Outreach at Manomet

In 2022, Wildlands Trust and Manomet received funding from NOAA’s Environmental Literacy program to launch Brockton Kids Lead the Way, an initiative to foster city students’ connection to nature.

Brockton Kids Lead the Way is an ambitious education initiative designed to boost climate resilience and environmental stewardship in the city of Brockton. In collaboration with local teachers, Wildlands Trust and Manomet will use the funding to design and build outdoor learning spaces at three elementary schools in Brockton. Once the learning spaces are built, students will receive a year of outdoor education programming based on curricula developed by Manomet. They will also participate in environmental monitoring at their school, contributing to community science and cultivating connection with the natural world.

2024: Hancock Elementary School

The second outdoor classroom space under the Brockton Kids Lead the Way initiative is already underway! While construction won’t begin until the summer, Wildlands Trust and Manomet staff have been hard at work planning the space with teachers from the Hancock Elementary School.

Inspired by Green Team’s work at the George School outdoor classroom, Wildlands Trust and Manomet are developing a new Brockton-based teen summer program to help construct this latest outdoor classroom. Climate Crew will be a group of Brockton high schoolers dedicated to constructing the outdoor classroom at Hancock Elementary. Climate Crew is made possible by the LSP Association $30,000 for 30 Years grant program, which funds nonprofit projects to advance environmental justice in Massachusetts.

2023: Manthala George Jr. Global Studies Elementary School

In Summer 2023, Wildlands Trust completed the first outdoor classroom space. Centered on the George School’s community garden, the outdoor classroom includes five recycled-plastic picnic tables in front of a foldable whiteboard, as well as a woodland sitting circle, a weather station kiosk, and an interchangeable story walk.

Wildlands Trust stewardship staff were aided by Green Team, volunteers, and teachers and students from the George School.