Valerie Carroll

A person in a raccoon costume waters a plant from a watering can.

Gardening with Young Children: Developing More Than Just a Green Thumb

Hands-on gardening with young children has so many benefits—for the children, the adults who care for them, and the communities they live in. Incorporating gardening into early care and learning … Read more

One adult and three children face away from the camera, looking over a bridge at the water below.

Bringing Nature within Reach through Community Partnerships

When community-based, mission-aligned organizations come together to create innovative opportunities for young children and their families to get outdoors and into nature, wonderous things happen! With the support of a … Read more

A group of people work on an activity together.

Centering Community in Albuquerque, New Mexico

The Valle de Oro National Wildlife Refuge, located just outside of Albuquerque, New Mexico, is recognized as the first urban national wildlife refuge in the Southwest. Managed by the U.S. … Read more

Several people attend an outdoor event.

ECHO Elevates the Field at Local and National Conferences

Professional conferences provide a platform for like-minded organizations and professionals to come together to advance communication and collaboration around shared priorities that help shape the future of any given field. … Read more