Campus Resources

Tools and Support for Teaching Outdoors

This page offers practical resources for faculty planning outdoor teaching activities, including information on reservations, permissions, risk assessment, and campus processes. These tools are designed to reduce barriers and support smooth, effective outdoor instruction.

Each outdoor space will have different permissions, reservation requirements, and activity risk levels. Contact the Office of Sustainability and the Environment at sustainability@uiowa.edu with questions about specific spaces.

Center for Teaching

The Center for Teaching offers consultations, teaching roadmaps, and workshops to assist with course and curriculum design. They have also partnered with Living Labs at Iowa to develop resources for teaching and learning outdoors.

Center for Teaching Teaching and Learning Outdoors

Students sitting in grass on the Pentacrest lawn

Students explore Ashton Prairie Living Lab

Using Campus Spaces

Taking students outdoors for learning experiences often requires advance planning and coordination. The resources provided can help you identify potential learning spaces, understand site features and availability, secure any necessary permissions, and prepare for a successful outdoor learning experience.

Facilities Management and Planning

Facilities Management cares for our outdoor campus spaces. Their staff are involved with the day-to-day operations and maintenance, as well as the long-term planning of those spaces. If you are designing an outdoor experience for your students that involves understanding the land use, utilities, environmental compliance, or the historical, current, or future use of the site, contact Facilities Management to gain access to their expertise and resources.

Facilities Management Landscape Services Campus Planning and Development

Reserving Outdoor Spaces

Many outdoor spaces do not require reservations for class activities. However, it is recommended that you consult with IMU Event Services and/or the Building Coordinator of the space you plan to use. They can advise you on any reservations or permissions needed for specific outdoor spaces.

Building Coordinators IMU Event Services

Risk Management

Many outdoor class activities, such as meeting outside or sitting under a tree to write, do no require Risk Management involvement. Higher-risk activities, like taking students canoeing or using specialized equipment, may require additional planning or permissions. University Risk Management is available to help faculty assess risk levels and determine when support is needed.

Maps

View maps of the University of Iowa campus, including interactive web-based maps and printable maps to take on the go.