Going Live with Becca Katz: Growing Learning Outdoors
- Sheena Shah
- 47 minutes ago
- 2 min read
Tomorrow, Wednesday, 5th at 2:30pm EAT, we are going LIVE on Instagram with someone who is transforming how children learn across two continents.
Meet Becca Katz, Co-Founder, Executive Director, & proudly the “Instigator of Awesomeness(!!!)” at Good Natured Learning (GNL). Her work? Powerful in its simplicity: GNL trains educators to use the outdoors as a classroom, activates nature around schools as learning spaces, and strengthens a global movement that reconnects learners with nature. They currently operate in the U.S. and here in Kenya.
And what’s remarkable is this:From informal settlements in Nairobi to the mountains of Colorado, the outcomes are consistently transformative:
Calmer, more self-regulated learners
Better collaboration & creativity
More joyful teachers
Deeper connections to the natural world
Learning that feels meaningful, embodied & alive
Who is Becca Katz?
Becca has spent 20+ years in nature-based education, formerly working with Lake County School District and Get Outdoors Leadville! designing school systems rooted in outdoor learning. She has trained countless educators through professional development that helps them integrate nature into daily instruction, whether that means bringing plants into classrooms or teaching beneath trees nearby.
What she loves most is how nature-connected practices ,even the smallest shifts, can result in better wellness, engagement, belonging, and joy.
She holds degrees from Stanford University, but credits much of her knowledge to time spent with learners in the wilderness, hundreds of days and nights under open skies. Becca is also a storyteller and writes Learning, by Nature, a newsletter dedicated to this rich and growing movement. Check out her latest newsletter here!
Our Partnership between HfG-EA and GNL
Earlier this year, we were thrilled to meet and instantly align with Becca’s mission. A spontaneous collaboration quickly unfolded. Together with local and amazing artisans, we supported SHOFCO’s Kibera and Mathare Girls Schools to create outdoor classrooms with thriving kitchen gardens just a few steps away.
These spaces now give educators and learners the chance to:
Touch soil
Observe life cycles
Learn science through real plants
Experience fresh air and freedom while learning
A few years ago, Harvesting for Good East Africa helped build an outdoor learning banda at Ruiru Rehabilitation Centre for the same purpose, to nurture learning in living environments. So this partnership felt like a natural extension of our mission.
Outdoor learning isn’t just innovative, it’s healing, empowering, and deeply human.
Why This Insta Live Matters
We’ll be diving into:
What inspires Becca to keep pushing this movement forward
Insights from her recent TED Talk at Peponi School
Outcomes from her latest educator cohorts
How outdoor learning boosts wellbeing, literacy, confidence & community
And where the movement is headed next
We cannot wait to share this conversation with you, and help widen the circle of educators, schools, parents, and community members who believe learning should feel like life. Engage in a meaningful conversation between Sheena and Becca!
Join Us Live!
📍 Instagram Live - @harvestingforgood_ea
📆 Wednesday, 5th
⏰ 2:30pm EAT👥 @harvestingforgood_ea × @goodnaturedlearning
Come listen, come learn, come imagine what is possible when we move learning outdoors.
We are so excited to celebrate this partnership and the beautiful outcomes it is already planting.
See you there!