The Child and Nature Alliance

What The Child and Nature Alliance does

The Child and Nature Alliance of Canada (CNAC) is a Canadian registered charity (number 812127496RR0001) operating from Kanata, Ontario, that advances reconciliation, equity, and justice through outdoor and Land-based education. Founded around 2008 with 1–10 employees, the organization delivers a year-long Forest and Nature School Practitioners Course combining 40 hours of in-person outdoor experiential learning ($2,499 per person) with optional 365-day online coursework and certification ($999 per person), offered across all Canadian provinces and territories since 2012 and available in four designation pathways (Lead Regulated, Lead Independent, Support, Administrator). The product is delivered through a network of host venues — conservation authorities, Indigenous-led organizations, wellness resorts, and nature schools — and supports primary customer segments of educators, early childhood educators, aspiring Forest/Nature School founders, parents/caregivers, recreation workers, school boards, and childcare centers.

CNAC operates no core technology platform; the stack consists of Modern CRM–embedded registration widgets for course signup, a clientclub.net self-paced online course marketplace, and an internal Practitioners Community forum with 24 live sessions per cohort. Its IP is primarily a curriculum library — including the Risk Benefit Assessment for Outdoor Play Canadian Toolkit, A Teacher's Guidebook for Bringing Learning Outside, and the Thrive Outside resource hub — co-developed with academics, Indigenous Knowledge Keepers, and practitioners. Revenue streams include Practitioners Course tuition (with early-bird pricing of $1,950 and 3-installment plans), annual memberships ($75 individual / $500 organization for 10 seats), a la carte online workshops ($49.99–$149.99), customized organizational training and consultancy, and charitable donations. Distribution is multi-channel: self-serve online registration, direct enterprise sales via a Manager of National Programs and Communities, and partner/host-venue networks (TRCA, MacSkimming, Applegrove, Akinoomoshin, Chiefswood Park, Sustainable Hill Wellness Resort, HOP Youth, Out and About FNS). Marketing relies on organic content (Field Notes blog, podcast, Thrive Outside hub, email newsletter) and partner referrals within the Canadian outdoor education community.

Name

The Child and Nature Alliance

Legal name

The Child and Nature Alliance of Canada

Website

https://childnature.ca

Company type

Private

Founded year

2008

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Child and Nature Alliance of Canada is a registered Canadian charity that delivers Land-based and outdoor education programs, including its flagship Forest and Nature School Practitioners Course, membership program, and organizational training, serving educators, early childhood educators, school boards, and childcare centers nationwide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Outdoor Education and Professional Certification

NAICS

Professional and Management Development Training (611430), All Other Schools and Instruction (61169)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Outdoor & Wilderness Education Schools (Field-Based Learning) (THAAAOAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

Nature-Based / Forest School Early Learning Programs (EDACADAD)

Keywords

• Outdoor education
• Forest school training
• Nature-based learning
• Educator certification
• Land-based education

Headquarters

HQ city

Kanata

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Practitioners Course Registration: Revenue from the Forest and Nature School Practitioners Course comprising in-person training ($2,499 per person for 5 days/40 hours) and optional online certification ($999 per person). Early bird pricing available at $1,950. Installment payment option of 3 monthly payments of $650. Both components required for certification.
2. Membership Program: Annual membership fees providing access to exclusive resources, webinars, events, discounts on CNAC services, partner promotions, job listings, and community forums. Individual membership at $75/year; Organization membership at $500/year (includes 10 memberships).
3. Online Workshops and Courses: Self-paced online professional development offerings including Insurance 101 Webinar Series ($49.99), Anti-Racism and Belonging in Outdoor Play and Learning Course ($149.99), Introduction to Risky Play Online Workshop ($65), and How to Start a Forest/Nature School Webinar Series ($100).
4. Organizational Training Services: Customized training solutions for organizations including private courses, custom workshops, program design and consultancy, and mentorship services for educators. Pricing determined based on organizational needs and group size.
5. Donations: CNAC is a registered charity (812127496RR0001) accepting donations to support their mission of connecting children and families with nature and the outdoors.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Child and Nature Alliance of Canada provides a year-long Forest and Nature School (FNS) Practitioners Course combining 40 hours of in-person outdoor training with 365 days of online coursework culminating in certification. It also offers online and in-person workshops, a paid membership program, customized training for organizations, free resource hubs (Thrive Outside), and a podcast — all centered on outdoor and Land-based education for educators, families, and Indigenous communities across Canada.

Product overview

The Child and Nature Alliance of Canada (CNAC) offers a portfolio of nature-based education products centered on its flagship Forest and Nature School Practitioners Course—a year-long certification program combining in-person outdoor training with optional online coursework. Supporting products include a Membership Program for community connection, Workshops for targeted professional development, Thrive Outside (free resource hub for five audience segments), Training for Organizations (customized institutional services), a Podcast, and a Donations program. The organization operates exclusively in the outdoor education space with no technology platform or SaaS product.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Forest and Nature School Practitioners Course A year-long certificate course combining in-person outdoor experiential learning (40 hours over 5 days) with optional 365-day online coursework and certification. Offered in Original (5 consecutive days) or Modular (two weekends) formats, with four certification pathways (Lead Regulated, Lead Independent, Support, Administrator). Intended for educators and practitioners seeking to lead Forest and Nature School programs. Pricing: $2,499 in-person; $999 online certification.
• CNAC Membership Program A virtual community platform for outdoor educators providing exclusive resources, webinars, events, discounts on CNAC services, partner promotions, and job listings. Individual membership: $75/year; Organizational membership: $500/year (includes 10 memberships).
• Workshops In-person and online professional development offerings including Insurance 101 Webinar Series ($49.99), Anti-Racism and Belonging in Outdoor Play and Learning Course ($149.99), Introduction to Risky Play Online Workshop ($65), and How to Start a Forest/Nature School Webinar Series ($100). Private in-person workshops available for groups of 10-25 upon request.
• Training for Organizations Customized organizational training services for School Boards, Childcare Centers, Social Services, Recreational Organizations, and Forest/Nature Schools. Services include Private Courses, Custom Workshops, Program Design and Consultancy, and Mentorship and Educator Support. Pricing determined based on organizational needs and group size.
• In-Person Private Workshops Customized in-person workshops hosted at CNAC-affiliated venues for groups of 10-25 participants, covering topics from the Forest/Nature School practitioner curriculum.
• Donations Program Charitable donation program supporting the organization's mission to connect Canada's children and families with nature; CNAC is a registered charity (charitable number 812127496RR0001).

Quantifiable outcome

• Record year of courses delivered in 2024
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments8 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• GoodmindsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMembership partner offering exclusive discounts and promotions to CNAC members. Goodminds provides nature-based educational resources and materials.
• Nature CanadaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMembership partner providing exclusive offers and promotions to CNAC members. Nature Canada is a national organization focused on nature conservation and education.
• Take Me OutsideminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMembership partner collaborating on outdoor education initiatives and providing member benefits through the CNAC membership program.
• TrailheadminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMembership partner offering exclusive discounts and promotions to CNAC members in the outdoor education sector.
• WildmedkitminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMembership partner providing wilderness and outdoor first aid supplies and training resources to CNAC members at discounted rates.
• Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHost partner for the Richmond Hill, Ontario Practitioners Course location in 2026. TRCA provides venue and facilities for course delivery in the Greater Toronto Area.
• MacSkimming Outdoor Education CentrecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHost partner for the Cumberland, Ontario Practitioners Course in 2026. Part of the OCDSB (Ottawa-Carleton District School Board) network.
• Out and About Forest and Nature SchoolcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHost partner for the Foresters Falls, Ontario Practitioners Course location. An independent Forest/Nature School operating since 2020, founded by a CNAC course graduate.
• AkinoomoshincoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorIndigenous-led organization hosting a specialized Sudbury, Ontario Practitioners Course designed specifically for Indigenous participants, centering Indigenous voices, experiences, and ways of knowing.
• Sustainable Hill Wellness ResortcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHost partner for the Scotch Village, Nova Scotia Practitioners Course location in 2026.
• Applegrove Nature SchoolcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHost partner for the Fauquier, British Columbia Practitioners Course location in 2026.
• HOP YouthcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHost partner for the Prince Albert, Saskatchewan Practitioners Course location in 2026.
• Chiefswood ParkcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHost partner for the Ohsweken, Ontario Practitioners Course location in 2026, situated on Indigenous territory.
• Magenta InsurancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partnership with Lisa Vercillo at Magenta Insurance to develop and deliver the Insurance 101 Webinar Series, addressing the most commonly asked questions about insurance for outdoor programs.
• Black in NaturecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to develop resources for identifying heat stroke and hypothermia in darker skin tones, ensuring inclusive and safe outdoor programming for all children and adults.
• Indigenous Elders and Knowledge KeeperscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOngoing relationships with Indigenous Elders, Knowledge Sharers, and community members who guide programming, provide teachings, and support reconciliation work. Essential partners in centering Indigenous voices and knowledge.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Earth Native Wilderness School: Texas-based outdoor education school offering nature connection courses, naturalist training, and youth programs. Comparable to CNAC because it combines in-person field-based training with nature connection education for both children and adult learners.
• Cedarsong Nature School: US-based originator of the forest kindergarten/nature school model and a leading practitioner in outdoor, all-weather early childhood education. Directly comparable to CNAC because it trains educators and operates as a flagship for the same forest/nature school pedagogy CNAC teaches in Canada.
• Wilderness Awareness School: US-based organization offering nature-based mentoring programs and educator training rooted in coyote mentoring and naturalists' tradition. Comparable to CNAC because it trains adults to deliver immersive, Land-based nature education to children across multiple US regions.
• Eastern Region Association of Forest and Nature Schools (ERAFANS): US regional body that supports and certifies forest and nature schools across the eastern US. Direct organizational peer to CNAC because it performs the same role of coordinating, training, and credentialing forest/nature school practitioners within a national/regional framework.
• UK Forest School Association: UK-based national body setting standards, training, and accreditation for Forest School practitioners. Closest international analogue to CNAC's Forest and Nature School Practitioners Course in terms of certification model, with overlapping curriculum and pedagogy.

Broad incumbents

• Children & Nature Network: US-based movement-building organization founded around Richard Louv's work, promoting equitable access to nature for children. Comparable to CNAC because it shares the mission of connecting children with nature and convenes educators, though at a broader advocacy rather than direct-training level.
• Project Learning Tree Canada: Canadian environmental education program delivering K–12 curriculum and educator training on forests and the environment. Broad incumbent peer because it operates in the same Canadian outdoor/environmental educator training category as CNAC, with established school board relationships.
• Natural Start Alliance: US-based coalition advancing nature-based early childhood education through advocacy, resources, and professional development. Broader incumbent peer to CNAC because it occupies the wider professional/community-building layer that surrounds and supports forest and nature school practitioners.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-child-and-nature-alliance

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Child and Nature Alliance