Building Bridges to the Outdoors:

Outdoor education isn’t just a way to get students outside—it’s a revolutionary approach to learning, fostering connections with the natural world while enhancing academic and personal growth. TOTAL NM (Teaching Outdoors to ALL Learners) embodies this ethos, creating inclusive, equitable, and accessible outdoor classroom spaces across New Mexico. As a relatively young organization, TOTAL NM has already achieved monumental success, with the Outdoor Equity Fund (OEF) playing a vital role in transforming its ambitious vision into reality.

Founded in response to community needs and supported by the 2022 creation of the Outdoor Learning Program through the New Mexico Public Education Department, TOTAL NM aims to ensure that all youth have the opportunity to learn outdoors. Their mission is clear: to provide accessible, equitable, and inclusive outdoor learning spaces for all Pre-K through 12th-grade students across New Mexico.

This mission was set in motion with the development of TOTAL NM’s flagship initiative—the Outdoor Educator Leadership Program (OELP), a six-month program that trains educators to create and sustain outdoor classrooms. Thanks to OEF funding and additional support from META’s Community Action Grant, this program is now transforming schools and communities in Valencia County and beyond.

The OELP is a trailblazing program designed to empower teachers with the tools, knowledge, and confidence to integrate outdoor learning into their classrooms. Starting in July 2024, this program engaged 13 teachers across five schools, directly impacting over 1,000 students.

Teachers underwent intensive training that covered everything from using outdoor spaces effectively to aligning outdoor activities with curriculum standards. The program also emphasized creating equitable and accessible outdoor classrooms that foster inclusivity, a cornerstone of TOTAL NM’s mission. For six months, teachers worked daily with their students in outdoor learning environments, transforming ordinary schoolyards into vibrant hubs of creativity, exploration, and connection.

Educators didn’t just teach—they built. The program encouraged teachers to develop lasting outdoor infrastructure such as nature journaling spaces, gardens, and outdoor classrooms, ensuring that the benefits of outdoor learning extend far beyond a single academic year.

TOTAL NM’s work has already begun to ripple outward, impacting not only teachers and students but entire communities. Teachers who participated in the program have become ambassadors for outdoor learning, sharing their successes with colleagues and leading efforts to secure additional funding for outdoor projects.

For instance, one teacher spearheaded a school-wide outdoor election event, engaging students, parents, and the community in a hands-on civics lesson set in nature. Another teacher utilized the Trails+ grant to secure funding for a new outdoor classroom space, inspired by the resources and support provided through OELP.

These examples highlight a key strength of TOTAL NM’s approach: the ability to ignite lasting change by empowering teachers and students to lead. By fostering leadership within schools, TOTAL NM ensures that outdoor education becomes a self-sustaining movement.

The Outdoor Equity Fund has been instrumental in TOTAL NM’s success. With $40,000 in funding, OEF covered stipends for teachers and resources needed to establish outdoor learning spaces. Without this support, the program’s transformative impact would not have been possible.

TOTAL NM exemplifies how OEF funding can serve as a catalyst for systemic change. Instead of one-time outdoor excursions, TOTAL NM focuses on integrating outdoor learning into daily education. This systemic approach not only broadens access to the outdoors but also embeds environmental stewardship into the hearts and minds of New Mexico’s youth.

TOTAL NM’s work doesn’t stop at the classroom. The organization is currently developing New Mexico’s first Outdoor Classrooms Framework. This guide will serve as a comprehensive resource for educators statewide, outlining best practices for creating, funding, and sustaining outdoor learning spaces.

Additionally, TOTAL NM is engaging teachers and students in advocacy efforts. Many teachers who participated in OELP have expressed a desire to get involved in policy work, ensuring that outdoor learning remains a priority for New Mexico’s schools. Students, too, are being encouraged to share their experiences, amplifying their voices in the push for long-term sustainable funding for outdoor education.

The true impact of TOTAL NM’s work lies in the stories of the teachers and students it serves. One middle school teacher shared how her students, initially hesitant about outdoor learning, became leaders in their outdoor classroom. “They now feel safe and confident outside,” said Allison Martin, executive director for TOTAL NM. “They’ve even started leading activities for younger students.”

Students themselves have expressed the joy and wonder that outdoor learning brings. “Outdoor education allows you to play in the mud, create fun and interactive games with friends, and connect with wildlife to form better relationships that lead to actionable change,” said one student at Los Lunas High School.

Such testimonials underscore the transformative power of outdoor education—not just as a learning tool but as a means of building stronger, more connected communities.

TOTAL NM recognizes that creating equitable outdoor spaces requires addressing systemic barriers. Many schools in New Mexico lack green spaces or rely on asphalt playgrounds, making outdoor learning seem unattainable. TOTAL NM challenges this notion, showing educators how to make the most of any space and envision what’s possible with proper funding.

Their work also emphasizes the importance of partnerships. Through collaborations with Albuquerque Public Schools, the New Mexico Public Education Department, Belen Consolidated Schools, and many others, TOTAL NM is creating a network of support for outdoor educators.

While TOTAL NM has achieved remarkable progress, its work highlights the critical need for sustainable, long-term funding for the Outdoor Equity Fund. Without consistent financial support, programs like OELP risk losing momentum, leaving gaps in education and missed opportunities for students.

As legislators consider allocating an increased budget for OEF, TOTAL NM’s story serves as a compelling argument for why this funding is essential. It demonstrates how OEF isn’t just about getting kids outside—it’s about transforming education, fostering equity, and empowering the next generation of environmental stewards.

The true impact of TOTAL NM’s work lies in the stories of the teachers and students it serves. One middle school teacher shared how her students, initially hesitant about outdoor learning, became leaders in their outdoor classroom. “They now feel safe and confident outside,” said Allison Martin, executive director for TOTAL NM. “They’ve even started leading activities for younger students.”

Students themselves have expressed the joy and wonder that outdoor learning brings. “Outdoor education allows you to play in the mud, create fun and interactive games with friends, and connect with wildlife to form better relationships that lead to actionable change,” said one student at Los Lunas High School.

Such testimonials underscore the transformative power of outdoor education—not just as a learning tool but as a means of building stronger, more connected communities.