LIVING EARTH SCHOOL

Our Community

Our Team

Our team is made up of incredibly talented people who care deeply about this community and our mission.

Our IMPACT

Each year, Living Earth School serves thousands of children, teens, and adults across Central Virginia.
Our participants leave with:

Greater confidence and emotional resilience

Deeper ecological
awareness

Stronger problem-solving and creativity

Skills, knowledge, and hands-on experiences

A sense of belonging and community

A lifelong relationship with the natural world

These are the qualities our world needs now more than ever.

Read Why People Love LES.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

A Place Where Everyone Belongs

At the Living Earth School, we honor the biodiversity of nature and extend that same respect and care to humanity. We see participants, staff, and communities as interconnected with the ecosystems around us, and we strive for the protection, harmony, and thriving of both.

We recognize that nature is not equally accessible to everyone. Barriers exist for individuals with different learning styles, physical abilities, and identities — including those in BIPOC and LGBTQ+ communities.

By intentionally including diverse voices, perspectives, and backgrounds across our programs, staff, and board, we seek to create spaces where everyone can belong.

Our goal is to create a village community where everyone feels safe, seen, and welcomed.

Key areas we are actively addressing

  • Recruiting, hiring, onboarding, and training through an equity lens

  • Building community partnerships with other organizations

  • Increasing access and affordability

  • Designing programs and participant experiences with inclusion in mind

  • Developing new and evolving programming

Looking Ahead

The Living Earth Sanctuary

We are in the process of creating the Living Earth Sanctuary — a permanent home for nature connection, community gatherings, intergenerational learning, and regenerative stewardship.

The Sanctuary will be a place where:

  • People of all ages come to learn, restore, and reconnect

  • Nature connection events, classes, and programs can flourish

  • Habitat can be protected and restored

  • Future generations can root their lives in the wisdom of the land

This vision is unfolding with the support of our community, donors, and partners who believe in tending a more connected future.

Everyone Is Welcome Here

Whether you want to join a program, volunteer, partner with us, or support our mission — you are part of a growing community devoted to connection, learning, and care for the earth.

Join Our Newsletter for program related happenings, nature connection inspiration and ways to get involved!