Madison Region Awarded Catalytic Grant to Strengthen Equitable Access to Nature

The Madison region has been awarded a catalytic grant through the Nature Everywhere Communities initiative, a partnership of the Children & Nature Network, the National League of Cities, and KABOOM!. The grant will support Madison’s priority goals to expand equitable access to nature, building on the city’s growing momentum, strong coalition, and detailed roadmap for action.
The City of Madison first joined Cities Connecting Children to Nature, the predecessor to Nature Everywhere Communities, in 2015, with a focus on expanding access to nature for young children. In 2023, the Madison Region renewed its commitment by rejoining the initiative, aiming to systematically integrate nature play and outdoor learning into children’s daily lives and strengthen a lasting culture of outdoor engagement.

Since then, the Madison team has engaged in robust community assessment, stakeholder scan, equity mapping, and policy review. Madison’s plan reflects the significant growth in the city’s capacity since joining Nature Everywhere. The plan identifies three clear goals:

1. Strengthening community engagement and family participation, ensuring children and families across neighborhoods benefit from nature access.
2. Support libraries as gateways to nature through programs and experiences that weave together literacy and outdoor discovery.
3. Integrate nature into education by empowering schools and educators through nature-based training, resources, and support for outdoor spaces.

Each of these goals is tied to specific activities, timelines, relationships, and outcome indicators, demonstrating a thoughtful and actionable approach to systems change.

“The Madison Region’s Nature Everywhere plan reflects real growth in capacity and ambition,” said Sarah Milligan-Toffler, President and CEO of the Children & Nature Network. “By setting three clear goals supported by strong partnerships and over 100 engaged coalition members, Madison is well-positioned to create long-term change that ensures all children have equitable opportunities to learn, play, and thrive outdoors. The National League of Cities and KABOOM! Join me in commending Madison for their progress.”

The Madison team has assembled a well-rounded leadership group, representing schools, public health, nonprofits, and other community organizations, and has established formal relationships across city agencies. More than 100 coalition members are actively engaged, bringing energy and alignment to the city’s shared vision for connecting children and youth with nature.

“This catalytic grant is a critical step that allows us to move from planning into deeper implementation,” said Justin Svingen of Public Health Madison & Dane County. “With three key goals and a strong coalition, we’re ready to expand opportunities for children and families to connect with nature in ways that improve health, learning, and community well-being.”

“The strength of this effort lies in the depth of engagement,” added Betsy Parker, President and Executive Director at Aldo Leopold Nature Center. “Over 100 coalition members, from schools to libraries to nonprofits, are at the table. Together, we’re advancing strategies that will have a lasting impact across Madison’s neighborhoods.”

As a catalytic grant recipient, Madison will receive financial support, technical assistance, and access to a national peer learning network. Nature Everywhere partners will also help the team track outcomes, communicate impact, and leverage the work to attract additional funding and partnerships.

For more information about Madison’s initiative, contact Autumn DeMet, Nature Everywhere Program Manager autumn@aldoleopoldnaturecenter.org.

For more information about the Nature Everywhere Communities initiative, visit childrenandnature.org/nature-everywhere or contact Laura Mylan, Children & Nature Network, laura@childrenandnature.org.