Blog

It's always inspiring to hear from IslandWood alumni from our graduate p...

The week of September 16th saw the return of our School Overnight Progra...

The EEC class of 2025 is kicking off their IslandWood journey with inten...

Amos Pomp, a recent graduate of the EEC class of 2023, is reaching new h...

IslandWood Staff Instructor Talia Schmitt, shares how she leads an appre...

We were thrilled to welcome a new cohort of passionate educators from ac...

Our Artist in Residence program has been a cornerstone of IslandWood’s e...

Looking back on our most recent summer camp season, it felt fitting to r...

As IslandWood camps wrap up this summer, I wanted to reflect on what I b...

This summer was one for the books at IslandWood summer camps!

In June, we welcomed students to our Bainbridge campus for the Voices fr...

Recently, Emerson Elementary School hosted a tour of their green schooly...

Teamwork and problem-solving skills are an essential part of any IslandW...

At IslandWood, Wade was created to serve as the food waste station where...

Soil to Snack is a lesson for students participating in our School Overn...

Riley Hill first came to IslandWood as a 5th grade student in our School...

Kamyar Mohsenin recently came to our campus to work with School Overnigh...

The City Nature Challenge 2024 has drawn to a close, leaving a trail of ...

If you've ever stayed at IslandWood, faced an after-hours emergency, or ...

This video features students from Karrie Coombe and Chantal Fleck’s clas...

This video tells the story of one class’s participation in our Salmon in...

We recently had artist Elizabeth VanDuine on campus, participating in ou...

Here at IslandWood, we’ve been busy tending to our lovely garden, and gu...

What happens when passionate educators get together to dream big? Islan...

Our recent visiting artist, Anita Spaeth, challenges the conventional bo...

Check out 4th grade students from Lake Stickney Elementary School explor...

Spring weather can be a fickle friend – one moment it's sunshine, and th...

This week students participating in the School Overnight Program got to ...

Vicky has been teaching poetry as a tool for learning about ourselves an...

We’ve started to plant seeds with School Overnight Program students in t...

The Washington School for the Blind (WSSB) recently attend our School Ov...

Thank you to our supporters, both near and far, for your help in creatin...

Marlie Somers, EEC class of 2019, shares a bit of what she’s been up to ...

Even after recent frigid temperatures, our garden is showing signs of sp...

Amira Rahali-Smith, IslandWood Graduate Program class of 2023, is on cam...

Artist in Residence is a component of our School Overnight Program (SOP)...

Meet IslandWood Class of 2023 alum Rach B., now a Researcher in Residence!

This fall, we added a new course to our graduate program curriculum. Dr....

We believe that understanding, honoring, and leveraging the personal and...

IslandWood class of 2023 alum, Amos P., is currently one of the Research...

Perspective storytelling is a lesson we use with students because of its...

Here is our review of fiscal year 2023.

We’re so thrilled to have recently been awarded an Outdoor Learning Gran...

Over twenty years ago, when IslandWood was built, it was the first in Wa...

IslandWood class of 2023 alum, Sam, is currently one of the Researchers ...

Recently, IslandWood's Director of Higher Education and Graduate Program...

We asked Kate Bedient, who manages these programs as IslandWood’s Direct...

Last week we began the second year of our Localizing Science Working Gro...

Last week IslandWood Urban School and Community Education Manager, KayLa...

In July, IslandWood graduate program faculty Dr. Déana Scipio, Dr. Priya...

Our advocacy work as members of the Washington Outdoor School Coalition ...

Between 2021 and 2023, IslandWood, through a ClimeTime funded partnershi...

This spring, we added a new course to our graduate program course option...

Recently shared at our Dinner in the Woods event, this video features fo...

Bryant Elementary was one of the schools included in our pilot program o...

EEC Class of 2022 alumni Caroline D. conducted her master's research

Our work with teachers is critical in broadening our reach in the region.

Shannon was on campus today as part of our Researcher in Residence (RiR)...

I first encountered Byrd Baylor reading her book, “The Other Way to List...

I hope that becoming a co-conspirator for freedom through education and ...

The King County Wastewater Treatment Division (KCWTD) has been a critica...

The IslandWood garden is an excellent example of the diversity we see in...

We’re back sharing another thoughtful and super creative graduate colloq...

Current graduate student Siri McGuire shares the project she presented a...

Annie Reading, Class of 2017 shares a bit of what she’s been up to since...

How often are you invited to slow down? To take a deep breath?

Over the years the garden has provided students, teachers, and guests th...

We are working to share more stories from IslandWood alum, and to kick i...

This fall students in our graduate program took their Technology in Prac...

The year-long 1:1 relationship of a mentor paired with a grad student of...

In February, the Washington Outdoor School Coalition

February brings a new chapter to the IslandWood garden!

Hi, fam. Happy New Year! I am writing this from my cabin on a surprising...

Today’s Researcher in Residence workshop was led by IslandWood EEC grad

We’re thrilled to share a new initiative that we have recently formalized,

As we continue to celebrate our 20th anniversary this year, this month w...

Hola readers! (‘hola’ means ‘hello’ in Spanish). My name is Nova and you...

This fall, we launched the Duwamish River Program. The program for 4th a...

As we celebrate our 20th anniversary, it feels essential to celebrate an...

As part of our commitment to justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion (...

My experience with mentorship was truly one of the most supportive, chal...

Pat O’Rourke served as IslandWood’s Director of Education from 2002 to 2...

This month we celebrate twenty years—since launching our School Overnigh...

Boeing has been involved with IslandWood since John Warner, Boeing’s the...

Working with the children at IslandWood and learning alongside them has ...

Here is what our donor community made possible in the 2021 – 2022 school...

We kicked off our Localizing Amplify Science Working Group with particip...

This lovely poem was written by a 5th grader at Leschi Elementary, inspi...

This spring our graduate program, Education for Environment and Communit...

Sherry first became aware of IslandWood when she attended a yoga retreat...

IslandWood was honored to recently work on a project for the Northcoast ...

Tina Guldhammer Frei has spent her life exploring the natural beauty of ...

In early 2021, we applied for inclusion in The Lawrence Hall of Science ...

Rachele first became aware of IslandWood when she moved to Bainbridge in...

There is a lot to be said about the learning experiences in peer teachin...

IslandWood is working with community partners to encourage involvement i...

IslandWood graduate students were featured in this recent Seattle Times ...

As part of our Researcher in Residence program, IslandWood graduate alum...

In partnership with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), IslandWoo...

Growing up in San Francisco, Nancy explored nature’s nearby forests, riv...

In October we shared the exciting news about IslandWood's participation ...

Pete Wiedemann has been a volunteer at IslandWood for the past 18 years ...

This Fall, we opened an envelope that held a letter and a donation from ...

What would it look like if IslandWood was able to support every teacher ...

We recently sat down with Rob Smallwood of Smallwood Design & Constructi...

A member of IslandWood's Board of Directors, Dr. Pooja Tandon is a pedia...

This summer we welcomed Megan Gordinier as our new Garden Manager. Learn...

We recently sat down with Dr. Jeannette Franks to learn more about her l...

School groups typically come to programs on IslandWood’s Bainbridge Isla...

During the 2020-2021 school year, more than 200 K-12 educators throughou...

As you know, children’s books have the power to ignite important convers...

Each year, IslandWood is proud to partner with Seattle Foundation in hon...

Join IslandWood Urban School Programs educator Celina Steiger for a virt...

IslandWood Graduate Program Director Dr. Déana Scipio and Urban School P...

Join IslandWood Urban School Programs educator Celina Steiger for a virt...

Steve Garlid, a teacher at Bryant Elementary, first heard of IslandWood ...

From the minute Eddie Westerman stepped foot on IslandWood's Bainbridge ...

“Culturally responsive teaching” is everywhere at IslandWood. From our w...

This summer, we promised to share quarterly updates about our commitment...

This fall, thirteen members of the Wood family - who has lived on Bainbr...

COVID-19 is widening educational inequities more than ever. Here’s how w...

Kimberly is an educator in the Seattle area. In 2017, she was awarded th...

It’s safe to say that John Warner’s first experience with IslandWood was...

Last week, Urban School Programs Coordinator Celina Steiger co-led a pre...

This past June, we shared our solidarity with the Black Lives Matter mov...

Nicole and her husband Steve Bice moved to Bainbridge Island in 2017. Th...

Marguerite Kondracke has been engaged with IslandWood since she first wa...

For Morgan Malley, becoming a teacher has meant consciously moving from ...

Morgan Lindberg (‘15) is handling teaching in the time of the coronaviru...

As the COVID-19 crisis continues, it’s become increasingly clear that th...

Here’s what teachers have been telling us since COVID forced schools to ...

Want to know what causes flowering plants to bloom? Curious about the po...

From Siberian miner’s lettuce to lemon balm to wood sorrel (or, as Criqu...

Whoever said that art and science don’t go together?!

When the IslandWood graduate program moved online with the arrival COVID...

We tend to think of phenology as happening on the land, but the ocean ha...

Last week, we shared our reflections and solidarity with Black Lives Mat...

In May, IslandWood hosted “Seattle Stormwater Systems and At-Home Scienc...

IslandWood's work is to inspire healthy, sustainable communities and a h...

Did you know there are over 250 species of bumblebees and that they’re n...

Chances are, you’ve seen lots of dandelions popping up recently. But how...

During the COVID-19 pandemic, all of our in-person programs & events are...

With every school that comes to IslandWood, a partnership is formed. It ...

During the COVID-19 pandemic, all of our in-person programs & events are...

Did you know that, alongside providing bird feeders, it’s important to p...

It’s the perfect time of year to flex your amateur entomologist skills a...

It’s the perfect time of year to flex your amateur entomologist skills a...

In this edition of Phenology Friday, Kathie Bradford shares tips for obs...

This week, join Community Education Manager Mary Meier for an exploratio...

This week, join Senior Vice President for Education John Haskin for an e...

This week, join Community Education Manager Mary Meier for an exploratio...

Our Bainbridge Island campus may be quieter than usual, but it’s far fro...

To help keep our community and staff safe during the COVID-19 outbreak, ...

Allow me to introduce you to my new favorite plant — a small, bright pin...

“What should the Duwamish River be like in the future?” Celina Steiger, ...

Déana Scipio is not only the Director of Campus Education at IslandWood,...

Allow me to introduce you to my new favorite plant — a small, bright pin...

Are you a scientist? Why or why not? What makes someone a scientist? If ...

While working with a group to clean up the school grounds, 4th grade tea...

“Gently close your eyes and take in a nice deep breath. Do this several ...

It was my second full day with the 5th graders in Team Bog. We had taste...

During my orientation at Islandwood, standing on a bridge over a river, ...

Each year, IslandWood is proud to partner with Seattle Foundation in hon...

We're excited to introduce Moment of Discovery, a new blog series in whi...

When Liz Riggs Meder was finishing her masters after a ten-month IslandW...

By his own account, the year Giorvi Merca came to IslandWood was the yea...

This month we received the exciting news that IslandWood will receive it...

Natalie Myers attended the School Overnight Program with Suquamish Eleme...

Natalie Myers attended the School Overnight Program with Suquamish Eleme...

Teaching is incredibly demanding and increasingly constrained by testing...

An excited fourth grader from Viewridge Elementary lowered a bucket by a...

The fourth graders from Open Window School were lying on the floor of th...

Here’s what you know: You’re not getting married in a hotel. That’s just...

Suquamish weaver Peg Deam sat sideways on the edge of the stage in Islan...

IslandWood Graduate Program alum, Hannah Gallagher (’16), is the Inclusi...

As a graduate student instructor for the School Overnight Program at Isl...

This week one of our School Overnight Program (SOP) instructors, Sylvan,...

A few weeks ago, a student came up to me and said, “Julia, I feel funny....

When Breanna Caruso came to IslandWood last August to attend our graduat...

This quarter I’m teaching a philosophy of education class called, The So...

To foster lifelong learning and environmental stewardship we create expe...

Suquamish weaver Peg Deam sat sideways on the edge of the stage in Islan...

Suquamish weaver Peg Deam sat sideways on the edge of the stage in Islan...

The fourth graders at John Rogers Elementary School in North Seattle had...

I have a couple of confessions to make. I willingly left a full-time job...

Suquamish weaver Peg Deam sat sideways on the edge of the stage in Islan...

The first time I heard that IslandWood was going to host a Community Eng...

Throughout the week, my students and I explored the life cycle of salmon...

Steve Garlid has been involved with IslandWood since before it was “Isla...

The thought of handing over a six-inch knife to a child you’ve only just...

The IslandWood garden welcomes all students with wide open arms, always ...

Lauren Watel is not the type to just pick up, leave, and not look back. ...

Our field group plan for day two of the School Overnight Program was to ...

Since joining IslandWood in March 2018, I have had the enormous pleasure...

How does something as precious as rain become an environmental hazard? W...

In 2018, the Washington state legislature provided $4 million dollars fo...

At IslandWood, we believe that opportunities to learn are everywhere. Wh...

The walk to Port Blakely Cemetery, at the southwest boundary of the Isla...

Each week, our School Overnight Program has a lofty goal — to engage cur...

This year IslandWood’s School Overnight Program (SOP) issued its first e...

We have been at IslandWood since August—a whole four months and yet only...

Principal Angela Sheffey Bogan got a new school this year. Last fall, th...

The floating classroom isn’t quite a boat. It has the double hull of a p...

As a graduate student instructor for IslandWood’s School Overnight Progr...

Christopher Criqui is a 2017 alum of IslandWood’s graduate program in Ed...

I trained in elementary education; however, I’ve always chosen to teach ...

It was fall, just a couple months into the year for Hannah Levy, a first...

October evokes spooky imagery for many people. For the students who visi...

During our first week of teaching in the School Overnight Program I was ...

The Asheville Farmstead School is an outdoor, play-based early childhood...

Not long ago, I was reminded by one of our SOP students that “seeds are ...

On the South end of Bainbridge Island, just northeast of Blakely Harbor ...

Late this summer, a few members of our team - Theresa Song Ichien, John ...

Meet the 2018 winners of The Patsy Collins Award for Excellence in Educa...

On Monday, October 8, students in the School Overnight Program (SOP) too...

During the 2018 legislative session, IslandWood advocated alongside othe...

Joe Petrick was a member of IslandWood's first Education for Environment...

Before enrolling in IslandWood’s Education for Environment and Community...

Lorrie Wolle has taught elementary school for 23 years, and she’s been c...

This September marks the 16th anniversary of IslandWood’s first academic...

To this day, Kaiti Hanger, a teacher at West Seattle Elementary School, ...

Four years ago, IslandWood together with our partner Antioch University ...

The kitchen and the garden at IslandWood are longtime friends and neighb...

Mónica Mesquita came to IslandWood because she wanted to learn how to be...

This article by IslandWood graduate student Jenn Allen was originally pu...

The kale was in bloom, masses of tiny yellow flowers hovering over the l...

IslandWood is thrilled to welcome Dr. Déana Scipio as our new Director o...

There’s nothing like watching a video of yourself engaged in doing somet...

Kelvin Washington, class of 2014, was the first Black man to attend Isla...

Nadya Revchuk’s first impression of IslandWood is perhaps her most lasti...

Washington State formally adopted the Next Generation Science Standards ...

My field group of 6th graders was midway through our Each One Teach One ...

Alison Martin’s father built a cabin in the foothills of the Sierra Neva...

Lan Nguyen always greeted her School Overnight Program field groups in h...

My name is Alicia and I carry many identities — I am Black, a woman, a s...

After IslandWood, I went to the University of Washington Master’s in Tea...

Katie is an Assistant Professor in Sociology at Cornish College of the A...

After six years of teaching elementary school in Durham, NC, Jenny Whale...

The fifth graders from Crownhill Elementary in Bremerton were on a mushr...

Tom Stonehocker is a self-described “tree nerd.” Blame his hometown of C...

“Engineering is all imagination,” says Andy Tran. “I had a lot of it as ...

If you look at the leaves of the salmonberry, a plant that thrives in th...

The first time Tiffany Chan came to IslandWood she was a ten-year-old gi...

The container was not much bigger than a tuna fish can, recalls Nick Bal...

Sending a child on an overnight school experience is hard for many paren...

Rico and his classmates followed a trail through the forest and across a...

“Wow!” Kari remembers thinking as she entered the Great Hall at IslandWo...