First Bloom

Having an opportunity to get their hands in the dirt is an eye-opening experience for many kids, one that helps them become invested in the world around them. Children need the outdoors to grow, and there are no more extraordinary and diverse outdoor places in our country than America’s national parks.

First Bloom is a simple idea. The National Park Foundation works with youth groups to bring children – particularly urban kids – to nearby national parks, where park rangers teach them about plants native to the area. Then the kids dig in, nurturing the natural habitats and designing gardens to show off the park landscape and beautify their neighborhoods. Through hands-on immersion into the science of native plants and habitat restoration, First Bloom helps kids connect in new ways to their environment and develop an early passion for conservation.