From Screen to Green: TurfMutt Lessons Help Combat "Summer Slide"

The TurfMutt Foundation reminds parents and guardians of its free educational resources designed to entice kids away from their screens and into the green space around them this summer. The Foundation offers downloadable activity guides, interactive lesson plans and outdoor exploration challenges tailored for children in grades K-8. These hands-on lessons are rooted in STEM standards and encourage kids to engage with the “outdoor learning labs” of their backyards and community parks.

“Our lessons are designed to help kids see the world through the eyes of Mulligan the TurfMutt’s – where every backyard is a living laboratory to be explored,” explains Kris Kiser, President and CEO of the TurfMutt Foundation. Mulligan is a real-life rescue dog and “spokesdog” of the Foundation. “By following Mulligan’s lead into the green spaces around them, students develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills while forming a lifelong connection with the environment.”

Get Outdoor Inspo from This Mulligan Minute

Families can watch a quick “Mulligan Minute” for inspiration before heading outside to start their own exploration. See the latest segments from CBS Lucky Dog below or here.

The TurfMutt educational suite includes lessons on:

• Environmental Superpowers: Understanding how green space produces oxygen, combats heat islands and traps carbon.
• Bio-Mapping: Identifying and charting local flora and fauna to understand neighborhood diversity.
• Rain Gauging: Tracking rainfall patterns to understand drought and water conservation.
• Wildlife Support: Learning how backyard biodiversity helps ecosystems thrive and supports pollinators.

To download TurfMutt’s free educational resources visit TurfMutt.com.