“In my book, Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children From Nature-Deficit Disorder, I wrote: ‘An environment-based education movement—at all levels of education—will help students realize that school isn’t supposed to be a polite form of incarceration, but a portal to the wider world.’ The California Statewide Outdoor Learning (CalSOL) movement can open this portal, not just for the well being of our children’s health and minds, but for the health of our planet. California has the opportunity to be bold and lead the world.”

"A classroom isn't defined by four walls. And outdoor classrooms are some of our most important learning spaces. These experiences provided by our local outdoor education partners leave a lasting impact on our students, many of whom don't get to connect to nature beyond their urban neighborhoods."

"The Rob Machado Foundation endorses the CalSOL campaign because California's oceans are never going to be clean unless our children get outdoors and experience firsthand why the environment matters."

“I’ve endorsed CalSOL because outdoor education is a formative part of everyone’s childhood. K-12 public schools should receive funding for outdoor education because experiences in nature are essential to cultivating a future generation of educated, inspired citizens who care about the health of our environment.” 

“The goals that CalSOL aspires to are ones that I personally believe in. I am well aware that countless studies have shown that meaningful connection to nature in youth increases our connection to all things, creating better ability to interact and learn going forward.”