Accessible. Affordable. Simple to Implement.

What your students will experience

Golden silhouette of a bird with outstretched wings.

Meet the animals

Students learn about, feed and pet rabbits, turtles, frogs, lizards, snakes, birds, and even tarantulas and Madagascar hissing cockroaches.

A cartoon illustration of a wooden signpost with a blank rectangular sign attached to a dark brown pole.

Hike and explore

Discover new trails, climb rocks, track animals, dig for decomposers, and follow seasonal changes.

Illustration of a fire symbol with two logs beneath it.

Soak it in

Search for life under the water, walk on frozen ponds, build fire and shelters, forge and ice fish.

City to Sanctuary is built through partnerships with protected natural spaces that serve as living classrooms.

Visit our partner sanctuaries

Seasonal adventures & monthly rhythm

Several hands gently hold and examine a small brown bird with dark wings and a black beak through nature-based learning.

October

Students catch, band, and release birds, learning about migration, behavior, and conservation.

Bird Banding
A student examining aquatic plants and debris in a small pond using a net, surrounded by grass and muddy water during a City to Sanctuary program.

November

Exploring ponds, catching frogs, clams, and insects, and observing aquatic life.

Pond Ecology
A woman with long dark hair and a fur-lined jacket holds a small stick with what a small insect attached to it, during a City to Sanctuary program. 
Mycology

December

Discover the fascinating world of fungi, mushrooms, and decomposers during winter hikes.

City to Sanctuary students and teachers gathered around a campfire in a foggy, wooded outdoor setting, roasting food on sticks. 
Shelter and Fire Building

January

Hands-on skills for building shelters and fires in cold weather.

A City to Sanctuary student in pink winter clothing drilling a hole in the ice with a stick, surrounded by snow and ice, holding a small tree branch. 
Ice Fishing & Animal Tracking

February

Drill holes in frozen ponds, search for animal tracks, and learn how wildlife survives the winter.

Two City to Sanctuary students, closely observing a metal bucket attached to a maple tree through nature-based learning. 
Maple Sugaring

March

Tap maple trees, collect sap, and watch the process of turning it into syrup that they taste.

Two hands, one with colorful beaded bracelets, holding a small frog near a pond covered with green duckweed. 
Vernal Pools

April

Follow frogs, catch fairy shrimps, and explore ephemeral pools to understand amphibian life cycles.

A City to Sanctuary student wearing a multicolored striped jacket holding a small yellow and white bird in her hands, with a surprised or delighted expression on her face. 
Bird Banding

May

Return to observe and track birds, deepening students’ connection to wildlife.

Group of people roasting hot dogs over an outdoor campfire in a wooded area. 
Fire Building & Cooking

June

A young man with glasses and a gray hoodie holding a fluffy, light-colored rabbit inside a room with wooden decor.

Build fires, cook over open flames, and explore nutrition in nature.

On inclement weather days, students engage in indoor activities such as skulls and furs exploration, meeting animals, and other hands-on projects.

Rainy Days

“It’s more than an outing; it’s an opportunity for growth in every sense.”
— Dr. Natasha Spann, Principal, PS 197, Harlem, NY

Learning is aligned with state standards.

View standards

For students who need it most

Group of children and two adults in winter clothing standing outdoors on snow-covered ground near a lake with a wooded hill in the background, during winter.

City to Sanctuary is built for public schools where students are affected by systemic barriers and where consistent, immersive nature experiences can make the greatest impact.

Affordable by Design

Funding partnerships allow the program to be offered for $5,000 per school.

I am interested

Your investment includes

A stylized moon in gray with a textured surface, surrounded by three yellow stars on a black background.

  • Nine Monthly sanctuary visits per year

  • All scheduling and coordination

  • Guided learning experiences

  • Materials and activity design

  • Transportation and logistics

  • Safety prep and on-site support

  • Ongoing communication and collaboration with teachers

I am interested
“Literally, you guys are incredibly easy to work with, and actually having the bus take us and bring us back has been completely valuable because otherwise I think it would’ve been a lot more challenging to coordinate. Even regular trips within the city can become challenging to coordinate. This one feels very stress-free. ”
— Ms. Hanafy, Teacher, HSCJ
Read more testimonials

Frequently asked questions

  • Yes. Students who struggle with focus, attendance, behavior, or classroom regulation often benefit the most from City to Sanctuary. The program is intentionally designed to be inclusive and supportive for a wide range of learning, behavioral, and social-emotional needs.

  • Schools report improvements in attendance, engagement, focus, and classroom behavior. Teachers see increased motivation and curiosity; principals notice stronger school culture and better teacher-student relationships.

  • City to Sanctuary supports students with diverse abilities and needs. At this time, most trails in our partner sanctuary in the New York area are not wheelchair accessible.
    We encourage schools to reach out so we can discuss individual circumstances and potential options.

  • Very little. City to Sanctuary is a turnkey program. We plan and facilitate all activities, coordinate transportation, and manage logistics. Teachers simply join their students and support participation — no additional prep is required.

  • We do. City to Sanctuary coordinates scheduling, transportation, sanctuary partnerships, and on-site facilitation. Schools only need to provide standard classroom supervision.

  • Schools only need to provide the same level of supervision they would in a regular classroom. Our team leads all activities and manages the logistics, so staff can focus on supporting students.

  • The program is designed to operate in a variety of weather conditions, and students gain a lot from experiencing the seasons. In cases of severe weather that could compromise safety, we work with the school to reschedule.

  • Yes, when space allows. Parents often enjoy the opportunity to see their children connect with nature and may join as volunteers or chaperones depending on transportation capacity.

  • Schools with limited budgets are encouraged to participate. City to Sanctuary offers funding partnerships that can significantly reduce program costs—often to a fraction of the full amount. City to Sanctuary is a registered vendor with the New York City Department of Education (DOE), allowing schools to pay directly through the DOE system.

  • City to Sanctuary is open to students from 2nd grade through high school. Schools may choose the specific grades they’d like to include, and the program activities are adapted to be developmentally appropriate for each age group.

  • A standard liability form must be signed by parents before students can participate in any City to Sanctuary visits.

  • Yes. City to Sanctuary can serve single classes, multiple classes, or whole schools. Our team handles coordination, making it straightforward to expand participation.

  • The benefits are strongest when the same students participate throughout the year, as returning to the same sanctuary builds comfort, confidence, and connection. However, some schools rotate students so more children can participate. Both approaches are possible.

  • Groups work best when students are close in age so activities remain developmentally appropriate. Mixed-grade groups can be discussed depending on the age range.

  • Many students who join City to Sanctuary have limited access to natural spaces. The program is designed with this in mind—students are guided thoughtfully and supported as they explore new environments.

  • We’re here to help. Contact us and we’ll gladly answer any questions specific to your school or students.

Take the first step

Help your students build confidence, curiosity, and connection.

I am interested