State of Funding in WA

The final Washington State budget for 2025–27 has removed all funding support for the Outdoor Learning Grant Program, including Outdoor School subsidy funding for schools. Despite significant advocacy and undeniable evidence of the impact outdoor learning has on students, legislators ultimately chose not to continue the investment.

First and foremost: THANK YOU. You are a champion, and you can work to make a difference in future years.

Whether you have been working for decades to ensure students connect with the outdoors or you have only recently launched new programs, your work has mattered and continues to matter. The success stories, the expanded access for underserved students, the transformations you’ve made possible—none of that is erased by this funding decision. If anything, it proves why outdoor learning must remain a priority, with or without state support.

OSWA Office Hour Info from May 29th 2025

S.O.S Support Outdoor School Funding for ALL

  • Advocacy for 2026 and Beyond: Legislative advocacy efforts will continue. Student voices, family stories, and educator leadership will be essential in shaping future policy.

  • Find Your Legislators

    • To find which legislators represent you, click the District Finder and enter your address. A list of your Washington State Representatives and Senators will be returned. 

  • Call or Email Your Legislators

    • If you prefer email, you may use the website's email forms to send messages to your legislators at anytime. Find your legislator(s) and use this webpage to send emails and make phone calls. Invite them to see outdoor education in action. Invite them to your outdoor school program. Tell them the stories from the students and from the school.

What’s Next for Schools?

While we won’t have state grant funding to rely on for the next two years, outdoor school is not canceled. Your creativity, partnerships, and resilience can and will keep opportunities alive for students. Here are some immediate paths forward:

  • Call your Outdoor School Provider: Be sure to let the site know your plans. Work with them on possible solutions: day program, visiting your school, other ideas.

  • District Funding: Engage with your district leadership about allocating local levy funds, basic education funds, or Title program resources (especially Title IV and Title I) to support outdoor experiences.

  • Community Partnerships: Reconnect with local foundations, PTAs, service organizations, and Tribal partners that have supported outdoor learning in the past.

  • Sliding Scale/Partial Payment Models: Implement partial family contributions supplemented with targeted fundraising to reduce cost barriers for students.

  • Alternative Grants: Stay alert for other grant opportunities, including smaller environmental education and community grants.

Funding Request Documents for the 2025-27 Biennium

Additional Resources