Wild Roots is Santa Barbara's first forest school, educating young children in nature's classroom since 1998. Our work is inspired by the teachings of Edward O.
Wild Roots, an experiential forest preschool and kindergarten, offers a curriculum rich in the life sciences that aims to nurture a sense of community and belonging among children, families and the land. Wilson, Rudolf Steiner, Paulo Freire, David W. Orr, Jon Young, and many others. Drawing on a deep understanding and continuous exploration of child development our small class size, high adult/chi
ld ratios, and the curriculum provide a foundation of respect for the developmental process and the unique unfolding of each child. Wild Roots meets in local natural spaces where our students learn to identify local flora and fauna, recognize patterns in nature, build physical prowess, and develop the foundation for lifelong learning. With a strong daily rhythm, our classes are infused with songs, games, poetry, stories, and plays. This creative work develops a keen memory, a rich vocabulary, the foundation for reading comprehension, and a strong sense of rhythm, along with a wide array of other skills and qualities. Our imagination acts as a bond between ourselves and nature, helping us to develop reverence, understanding, and compassion. Using wild harvested materials in our play and work helps us to experience our interdependence through all of our senses. Our classes are busy foraging, recognizing plants that can heal or harm us, tracking and observing animals, observing changes on the land, painting, drawing, crafting, and playing in nature’s playground. Daily, the land offers a host of new adventures to spark the natural curiosity and imagination of each child. What we love, we are likely to protect, and to love something we must know it. Natural settings afford the children direct experience with a world not made by humans where we can feel ourselves a part of a larger community of life.
03/30/2026
Meet our new instructor for teacher training!! -
Meet our new instructor for teacher training!!
"I was surprised to discover that my experience at the Academy expanded far beyond learning to work with children outdoors—these deeply thoughtful trainings were really a meditation on care—how to care for ourselves and each other, how to care for the land, and how to care for the next generatio...
02/14/2026
Teacher Trainings open for Registration - New online sessions -
Teacher Trainings open for Registration - New online sessions
In our role as protectors and advocates for humans, especially our youngest ones, to be regularly immersed in wild, kinful spaces, we are offered plentiful opportunities to participate in the cycles of life. In the normal course of life we will encounter death and dying, and our children, should the...
12/11/2025
Enter the realm of Stories! Meet us on the land this Spring -
Enter the realm of Stories! Meet us on the land this Spring
In our role as protectors and advocates for humans, especially our youngest ones, to be regularly immersed in wild, kinful spaces, we are offered plentiful opportunities to participate in the cycles of life. In the normal course of life we will encounter death and dying, and our children, should the...
Free Live Call TODAY! Guiding the Young Child Weekend Workshop -
Free Live Call TODAY! Guiding the Young Child Weekend Workshop
Are you looking for theoretical and practical support for guiding the behavior of young children (up to age 9)? Have questions about this unique program? Or just want to learn more about this experience?
03/27/2025
The Birds are calling! Sponsor a Teacher, Registration Open, Host a Training -
Connection, Celebration, Community
Come flock together to support social gatherings, practice community organizing, curating, and conducting seasonal celebrations for your community.
08/15/2023
Amazing summer adventures… learning, exploring, working together, making friends, creating beauty, building shelters…
Nature is our greatest teacher, and Wild Roots teachers are always mentoring alongside Nature!
Wild Roots mixed age preschool and kindergarten classes have spaces for rolling enrollment for the upcoming school year (Sept - June), September 6th start!
Children 2 1/2 yrs through 6 yrs old, attend 2 to 5 days a week. In Santa Barbara and Goleta, CA.
Assistant Teacher Position
The assistant teacher role involves: modeling and actively mentoring young children in nature connection looking after the health and safety of the group assisting in setting up activities and...