Celebrating 10 years of Outdoor Education

This month, Three Pines Project, formerly known as Nature Connect NC, celebrates ten years of outdoor education, community and connection to nature. 

While the name and programs have grown and evolved over time, the core of this work has remained the same: creating opportunities for children to learn about the environment, with the hope that they will care for it and protect it as they grow. 

This work began in 2016, when Brinkley Hutchings, after graduating from University of North Carolina Wilmington with a degree in Environmental Science, founded Nature Connect NC. With Kathryn Waple as a co-director, she started with a small homeschool enrichment program, where children were given the opportunity to connect and learn through meaningful outdoor activities. That small group became the foundation for what is now the Nature Explorers program, serving over 50 families in three counties. 

One of the early days of our outdoor programs, back in 2016.

In 2017, Brinkley returned to Alabama, where she founded Nature Connect Alabama and continued her work there, while staying involved and guiding the North Carolina program. Over the years, dedicated facilitators and families carried this program forward, building a strong and thoughtful community centered around outdoor learning. 

In 2024, Kevina Casaletto stepped into ownership and led the transition from Nature Connect NC to Three Pines Project. The transition brought fresh energy and vision, while keeping the same belief that children learn best through meaningful experiences in nature. 

To mark the transition from Nature Connect NC to Three Pines Project, the team held a ribbon-cutting ceremony and planted a longleaf pine tree in celebration of outdoor education.

That fall, Three Pines Project launched its first official Nature Explorers program under the new name, supported by longtime staff members Christy Porter and Britt Carpenter, as well as former apprentice and new facilitator Dylan Kormanik.

In 2025, the team continued to grow as Erin Gross, Oana Duma and Sarah Brintle rejoined the program, bringing with them many years of experience. 

Today, Three Pines Project reflects ten years of shared effort, formed by founders, facilitators, families and children who have all contributed to its growth. 

The Three Pines Project celebrating 10 years of nature-based programs

Our programs now include Nature Explorers and Wanderers for school-aged children, Pathfinders for teens, and Forest Families for young children and their caregivers, plus free community events for everyone. Beyond our regular offerings, 3P continues to grow with kid-made field guides shared in the community, seasonal gatherings, free workshops, and expanded scholarship opportunities.