Imagine If — nature-based early learning, reimagined.
Hosted by Natural Start Alliance at the San Antonio Zoo
The Natural Start Alliance conference brings together educators, researchers and leaders from around the world to explore equitable, nature-based approaches to early childhood education. Wearthy joins online from Australia.
The ground beneath behaviour looks at what outdoor environments are really asking of children — and how the design choices we make in early learning spaces shape behaviour, risk-taking and connection before a word is spoken. A practical, grounded session for educators and designers.
NatStart26's theme is Imagine If — what becomes possible when nature-based early learning is the default, not the exception. The 2026 conference is hosted at the San Antonio Zoo (an AZA-accredited institution) with concurrent sessions at the Will Smith Zoo School.
The program runs in-person across San Antonio and is streamed online to attendees worldwide. Site tours visit nature-rich early learning programs across the region.
Registration includes complimentary access to the online conference library through June 2027. Find the full program and register at conference.naturalstart.org.
We speak, train and run workshops across Australia and internationally on play, space and the ecology of childhood. Let's talk.
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