Future Stewards

Educational Programming for the Next Generation of Environmental Leaders

Future Stewards is Great River Greening’s hands-on, environmental education program that connects pre-K–12 students with their classroom curriculum through real-world experiences in nature.

It is designed to foster leadership, creativity, and critical thinking and serves students from diverse communities who often face barriers to nature-based learning, giving them a direct role in project planning, habitat design, and restoration work.

Through partnerships with mentors and professionals—many of whom reflect the communities they serve—students explore real-world careers in ecology, restoration, and environmental science.

By leading habitat restoration projects at or near their schools, students create vibrant, native ecosystems that serve as living outdoor classrooms—transforming both how they learn and the world around them.

Why we believe in Future Stewards.

Too many students lack access to nature—and with it, the opportunities to learn, lead, and thrive.

Future Stewards bridges that gap by:

  • Breaking down barriers to nature-based education

  • Supporting academic achievement through hands-on, place-based learning

  • Empowering young people as future environmental leaders.

What our program offers:

  • Curriculum aligned with k-12 state standards. 

  • Indoor AND outdoor lessons facilitated by a licensed teacher and ecologist.

  • Partnership in habitat restoration opportunities on or near school property.

  • Teacher professional development in interdisciplinary Nature Based Learning.

2024 PROGRAM IMPACTS

  • Engaged over 690 students across fives schools.

  • Established native gardents at four metro-area schools.

  • 84% of participants identify as BIPOC or experience barriers to financial security.

  • Planted over 500 plants and trees, supporting local biodiversity and pollinator habitat.

Learn more about Future Stewards for your school:

  • Fill our this survey to request a consultation, or

  • Contact Jessica Drummond, Education and Outreach Coordinator.

“The continued and ongoing involvement with Greening has greatly increased students' comfort with outdoor activities, knowledge of native plants and restoration, understanding of environmental justice issues in their community, and the knowledge, skills and motivation to work and to care for plants, animals and the land around them.”

— Teacher

Future Steward Partner Schools:

This program is funded by private donations and the Robert E. and Edith M. Grissinger Foundation, the Mason Family Foundation and the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund as recommended by the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR).