Healthier, Happier, Smarter: Wisconsin Voices on the Power of Nature

7. Empowering Youth to Lead Climate Action with the Dane County Youth Environmental Committee

Jaeden Carrasquillo + Xia Lowery — Wed, 15 Jul 2026 09:00:00 GMT

Young people are proving that meaningful climate action starts with community. Jaeden and Xia are joined by Nina, Brooke, and Ayelet of the Dane County Youth Environmental Committee (DCYEC) to explore how the student-led organization is empowering youth across Wisconsin to advocate for environmental change through leadership, education, and collaboration. From organizing the annual Dane County Youth Climate Conference and bringing sustainability initiatives back to their schools to connecting peers who may be experiencing climate anxiety, the conversation highlights how giving students opportunities to lead helps build confidence, hope, and lasting impact.

Links + Resources:

Dane County Youth Environmental Committee: https://www.dcyec.org/

Citizens’ Climate Lobby: https://citizensclimatelobby.org/

Follow the show online:

Facebook: @WisconsinAssociationforEnvironmentalEducation

Instagram: @wisconsinassociationforee

LinkedIn: wisconsin-association-for-environmental-education-inc

YouTube: @wisconsinassociationforee

View all book recommendations from the podcast: https://bookshop.org/lists/healthier-happier-smarter

Thank you to our sponsors and funding partners. Learn more and become a sponsor at https://www.waee.org/our-supporters

6. Using Nature to Promote Wellness and Equity at Lakeview Elementary

Jaeden Carrasquillo + Xia Lowery — Wed, 01 Jul 2026 15:56:32 GMT

Lakeview School in Madison is redefining what learning can look like through its Nature-Based Learning Opportunity program, and in this episode, Principal Nu Vang-Vue, Physical Education Teacher James Kersten, and Occupational Therapist Deborah Craig share the profound impact that getting kids outside has on their growth and development. From fostering cooperation, confidence, and a sense of belonging to strengthening the gross motor, fine motor, and sensory foundations needed for classroom success, outdoor learning supports the whole child. The conversation explores how nature-based experiences can create more equitable opportunities for students of all backgrounds and abilities while helping them build meaningful connections with their school, their community, and themselves. Discover why stepping outside the classroom may be one of the most powerful ways to help children become healthier, happier, and smarter.

Links + Resources:

Follow Lakeview Elementary on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MMSDLakeView

Lakeview Elementary Website: https://lakeview.madison.k12.wi.us/

Article about Lakeview Elementary in Capital Times: https://captimes.com/news/education/how-one-madison-school-became-an-outdoor-education-hotspot/article_f92db948-aa8f-4725-b7a8-fdbf03fda529.html

Follow the show online:

Facebook: @WisconsinAssociationforEnvironmentalEducation

Instagram: @wisconsinassociationforee

LinkedIn: wisconsin-association-for-environmental-education-inc

YouTube: @wisconsinassociationforee

View all book recommendations from the podcast: https://bookshop.org/lists/healthier-happier-smarter

Thank you to our sponsors and funding partners. Learn more and become a sponsor at https://www.waee.org/our-supporters

5. Urban Nature Connection: Addressing Mental Health, Wellness, and Trauma through Outdoor Activity

Jaeden Carrasquillo + Xia Lowery — Wed, 17 Jun 2026 09:00:00 GMT

Reconnecting people and nature - that is the goal of Urban Nature Connection. Timothy Scott, executive director of Urban Nature Connection based in Milwaukee, experienced a family crisis which set his life off kilter. After seeking help through therapy and trying medications that didn’t work for him, he found peace through nature. What started simply as cutting the grass and gardening, has quickly become respite river walks, bike rides, and leading advocacy for access to nature in his community. Bringing on a board that shared the same vision, like Julian Phifer, they now attend meetings pertaining to green space expansions throughout the city, create events for the black and brown communities of the area to get outside together, and promote health and wellness through nature.

Links + Resources:

Urban Nature Connection: https://www.urbannatureconnection.com/

Urban Nature Connection Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/urban_naturemke/

Urban Nature Connection Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/people/Urban-Nature-Connection/61581101892117/

Urban Nature Connection LinkedIn page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/urban-nature-connection-mke

Connect with Timothy on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/timothy-scott-b1ab5875

Follow the show online:

Facebook: @WisconsinAssociationforEnvironmentalEducation

Instagram: @wisconsinassociationforee

LinkedIn: wisconsin-association-for-environmental-education-inc

YouTube: @wisconsinassociationforee

View all book recommendations from the podcast: https://bookshop.org/lists/healthier-happier-smarter

Thank you to our sponsors and funding partners. Learn more and become a sponsor at https://www.waee.org/our-supporters

4. Honoring Childhood through Nature Play: Weslie Cymerman On Outdoors We Learn (OWL)

Jaeden Carrasquillo + Xia Lowery — Wed, 03 Jun 2026 09:00:00 GMT

Learning to play outdoors is a learned skill that every child should be able to develop. In today’s episode Weslie Cymerman, founder of Outdoors We Learn (OWL), shares her journey from a nearly 20 year career teaching in the classroom setting, to the creation of her outdoor youth programming. She offers her philosophy of how allowing the opportunity for children to experience nature, and fostering their love for the Earth, leads to resilient children who will be stewards of the land. Having already had a large impact on its local community since its origin in 2020, OWL continues to encourage children of the Madison area to love nature through play!

Links + Resources:

Outdoors We Learn: https://www.outdoorswelearnmadison.com/

Outdoors We Learn Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/outdoorswelearn/

Outdoors We Learn Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/outdoorswelearn

Connect with Weslie: weslie@outdoorswelearnmadison.com

Follow the show online:

Facebook: @WisconsinAssociationforEnvironmentalEducation

Instagram: @wisconsinassociationforee

LinkedIn: wisconsin-association-for-environmental-education-inc

YouTube: @wisconsinassociationforee

View all book recommendations from the podcast: https://bookshop.org/lists/healthier-happier-smarter

Thank you to our sponsors:

James E Dutton Foundation: https://www.jameseduttonfoundation.org/

Natural Resources Foundation: https://www.wisconservation.org/

WAEE Funding Partners: https://www.waee.org/our-supporters

Green & Healthy Schools Wisconsin: https://green-and-healthy-schools-wi-dnr.hub.arcgis.com/

If you’d like to become a sponsor, contact us at podcast@waee.org.

3. Youth Leading the Way: Chippewa Falls Green Team Turns Environmental Education into Action

Jaeden Carrasquillo + Xia Lowery — Wed, 20 May 2026 09:00:00 GMT

In this episode of Healthier, Happier, Smarter, hosts Jaeden and Xia sit down with the Chippewa Falls Green Team — seniors Zoe, Chloe, and Ellie — to explore how student-led environmental action is transforming their school and community. The trio shares how their mostly student-driven group secured drone pilot licenses, wrote grants to fund a solar panel installation at Camp Nawakwa, and brought hands-on renewable energy lessons to elementary classrooms and energy career fairs. From navigating a failed rooftop solar project at their high school to winning the SoulStock competition and earning the Solar Moonshot grant, the Green Team offers Wisconsin educators an inspiring model of what's possible when young people are given the freedom, mentorship, and resources to pursue passion-driven environmental projects.

Links + Resources:

Follow the Chippewa Falls Green Team on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chihienvironmentalclub/

Follow Chippewa Falls Area Unified School District on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chippewafallsschool

Show your support for environmental education by becoming a member: waee.org/join

Follow the show online:

Facebook: @WisconsinAssociationforEnvironmentalEducation

Instagram: @wisconsinassociationforee

LinkedIn: wisconsin-association-for-environmental-education-inc

YouTube: @wisconsinassociationforee

View all book recommendations from the podcast:

https://bookshop.org/lists/healthier-happier-smarter

Thank you to our sponsors:

James E Dutton Foundation: https://www.jameseduttonfoundation.org/

Natural Resources Foundation: https://www.wisconservation.org/

WAEE Funding Partners: https://www.waee.org/our-supporters

Green & Healthy Schools Wisconsin: https://green-and-healthy-schools-wi-dnr.hub.arcgis.com/

If you’d like to become a sponsor, contact us at podcast@waee.org

2. Teach It Outside: Principal Justin Nies, PhD, Shares a Schoolwide Approach to Outdoor Learning

Jaeden Carrasquillo + Xia Lowery — Wed, 06 May 2026 09:00:00 GMT

Outdoor learning is a strategic approach to increasing student engagement, strengthening literacy skills, and building connections within a school community. Educator and administrator Dr. Justin Nies shares how Magee Elementary School in the Kettle Moraine School District implemented a year-long initiative to bring learning beyond the classroom. He explains how outdoor spaces can be used intentionally, reflects on his path into leadership, and highlights how a focus on belonging and transparency supported staff and student success.

Links + Resources:

Fostering Systems for Innovation Summer Institute (Applications due 5/10/26): https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/WIDPI/bulletins/414ca5b

Wisconsin DPI Newsletter: https://dpi.wi.gov/news/dpi-connected/subscribe

Last Child in the Woods (Book): https://bookshop.org/a/10747/9781565126053

Children & Nature Network: https://www.childrenandnature.org/

Reach Out to Justin Here: niesjustin@kmsd.edu

Show your support for environmental education by becoming a member: waee.org/join

Follow the show online:

Facebook: @WisconsinAssociationforEnvironmentalEducation

Instagram: @wisconsinassociationforee

LinkedIn: wisconsin-association-for-environmental-education-inc

YouTube: @wisconsinassociationforee

View all book recommendations from the podcast: https://bookshop.org/lists/healthier-happier-smarter

Thank you to our sponsors:

James E Dutton Foundation: https://www.jameseduttonfoundation.org/

Natural Resources Foundation: https://www.wisconservation.org/

WAEE Funding Partners: https://www.waee.org/our-supporters

Green & Healthy Schools Wisconsin: https://green-and-healthy-schools-wi-dnr.hub.arcgis.com/

If you’d like to become a sponsor, contact us at podcast@waee.org

1. Growing Connections between Nature and Public Health: A Conversation with Mary Davis Michaud

Jaeden Carrasquillo + Xia Lowery — Wed, 22 Apr 2026 09:00:00 GMT

A sense of awe might be one of the most powerful teaching tools we have.

In this episode of the Happier, Healthier, Smarter Podcast, we’re joined by Mary Michaud, educator, public health professional, and certified horticultural therapist at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. She shares how her deep connection to nature shaped her career and inspired her to create outdoor learning spaces, while challenging students to rethink traditional school environments.

We also explore the science behind why nature matters, from attention restoration theory to the well-being benefits of outdoor learning. Mary offers practical strategies for outdoor classrooms, encourages appropriate risk-taking for children, and shares simple ways to reconnect with nature in everyday life.

Links + Resources:

Nature Play for Healthy Development Blog: https://medium.com/@MaryMichaudHlth/nature-play-for-healthy-development-be5763bea15a

What the Robin Knows by Jon Young: https://bookshop.org/a/10747/9780544002302

Follow Mary’s Art on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ginkgoartsandletters/

Show your support for environmental education by becoming a member: waee.org/join

Follow the show online:

Facebook: @WisconsinAssociationforEnvironmentalEducation

Instagram: @wisconsinassociationforee

LinkedIn: wisconsin-association-for-environmental-education-inc

YouTube: @wisconsinassociationforee

View all book recommendations from the podcast: https://bookshop.org/lists/healthier-happier-smarter

Thank you to our sponsors:

James E Dutton Foundation: https://www.jameseduttonfoundation.org/

Natural Resources Foundation: https://www.wisconservation.org/

WAEE Funding Partners: https://www.waee.org/our-supporters

Green & Healthy Schools Wisconsin: https://green-and-healthy-schools-wi-dnr.hub.arcgis.com/

If you’d like to become a sponsor, contact us at podcast@waee.org

Healthier, Happier, Smarter Trailer

Jaeden Carrasquillo + Xia Lowery — Thu, 19 Mar 2026 17:10:52 GMT

Season 1 of Healthier, Happier, Smarter: Faces and Places of Wisconsin Environmental Education takes listeners across Wisconsin to explore how environmental learning comes to life in classrooms, communities, natural spaces, and cultural landscapes. Through conversations with educators, youth leaders, public health professionals, and community organizations, we highlight the many ways people are connecting with the outdoors and inspiring the next generation of environmental stewards.

This season features student perspectives, health-focused discussions on the benefits of nature, and a range of episodes uplifting innovation, tradition, equity, and hands-on learning. From early childhood to high school climate action, from cultural connections to outdoor programs, listeners get a broad look at how environmental education supports wellbeing, learning, and community resilience.

Season 1 offers stories, insights, and inspiration for anyone passionate about supporting healthy people, healthy schools, and a healthy planet.