For all media / press inquiries, please contact:  
Ernesto Rodriguez • (310) 510-0541 • [email protected]

MEDIA

Nature In The Classroom

March 2025
The science of Attention Restoration Theory, viewing images of trees calms us and helps us focus.  The science at work in the classroom..

Rotary Silicon Valley

July 2024
Ernesto Rodriguez outlines the science and benefits of bringing nature inside hospitals and schools.​

​The Drew Barrymore Show

Aired July 2024
​Drew Barrymore gives Nature In The Classroom a 60 sec. plug.

​Goodness Exchange

Aired April 2024
Transforming Stressful Spaces With Nature Photography
Episode #180
​Ernesto Rodriguez is using a lifetime of experiences bridging art, science, and nature to create healing environments, and he can teach us how to combine our own unique life experiences to create real impact in remarkable ways. During this interview, you may see a path for yourself appear: one that allows you to live with joyous energy to the very end.

CBS News The Uplift

Aired January 2024
CBS News The Uplift, features Nature In The Classroom and captures 5th graders seeing their tree ceiling for the first time at Taft Elementary in Santa Ana, CA.  It is the lead story.
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52nd NAAEE Annual Conference

October 2023
On Demand "Bright Spot"
Video summarizes the science and benefits of installing tree ceiling murals in classrooms and its results.

"Your Outside Mindset"

Aired Oct. 13, 2022
Verla Fortier and Ernesto Rodriguez discuss the science and benefits of bringing nature imagery into hospitals and schools.

"Talking With Green Teachers"

Aired Sept 30, 2022
Ernesto Rodriguez and Ian Shanahan discuss Attention Restoration Theory, supporting science and the benefits of bringing the outdoors into the classroom.

"Calling All Unicorns"

Aired Mar 23, 2022
Featured guest Ernesto Rodriguez, founder of Nature In The Classroom discusses the benefits of nature exposure in the classroom.

​​"The Benefits of Nature in Classrooms"

Pizarrón52 / Blackboard52
Aired Dec 7, 2021
Telemundo52 features Nature In The Classroom’s tree ceilings at Gage Middle School in their education segment Blackboard52.  Students and a teacher are interviewed about how tree canopies in the classroom foster calm and creativity.

"​Nature In The Classroom"

National Association for Interpretation  S&P Podcast – Powered by NAI
Aired Sept 30, 2021
Nature in the Classroom is an innovative program that brings some of the benefits of the outdoors inside—specifically on
classroom ceilings.  We talk with Ernesto Rodriguez about getting kids outdoors indoors.

"NPR Interview"

​Aired May 2014
Interview outlining the art and science of bringing nature into healthcare environments laying the foundation for Nature In The Classroom.

ARTICLES & PRESENTATIONS

Clark County Today​ News

April 2025
​Clark County Today News posted an audio version of the tree ceiling installation story at Washougal School District. 

Allen County Juvenile Center Transforms Classrooms by Bringing Nature Indoors

January 2025
An innovative on-site school at the Allen County Juvenile Center (ACJC) is bringing the outdoors inside in an effort to create a better learning environment for at-risk students.  Click the image below to read the article..

CNN The Optimist Daily

October 2024
CNN The Optimist Daily outlines the mental health benefits of bringing nature into the classroom.  Click on the image below to read the full article.

Fortunes Crown Magazine

June 2024
​The windowless classrooms at Taft Elementary presented a significant challenge. Thanks to Logan Earnest’s dedication and Ernesto Rodriguez’s innovative solution, these classrooms now offer a glimpse of nature. This change has the potential to improve students’ mood, focus, and overall educational experience. With continued support and expansion, Nature in the Classroom could revolutionize learning environments nationwide.
Click on the image below to read the full article.

NiceNews.com

May 2024
 The article spans the science and benefits of trees in the classroom, interviewed a teacher and voiced student feedback.  Click on the image below to read the full article.

Dude Dad Installation

​April 2024
​Comedian DudeDad.com installs a ceiling and transforms a classroom in this 60 second video.

Upworthy Magazine

March 2024
​Scoop Upworthy featured Nature In The Classroom in a wonderful article.  Click on the image below to read the full article.

Nice News

February 2024
NiceNews.com mentions Nature In The Classroom in their newsletter's opening paragraph on February 4, 2024.  A link to the CBSNews.com is included in the paragraph.  Click on the article below to read the CBS News article.

CBS News

January 2024
Kids can benefit from having access to nature.  This photographer is bringing trees into classrooms - on the ceiling. Click on the image below to read the article.

"Meet Ernesto Rodriguez"​

Bold Journey Magazine, January 2024
Bold Journey Magazine interviews Ernesto and explores his creative path leading to putting tree canopy ceiling murals in classrooms.
Read Article

"Meet Ernesto Rodriguez"

Canvas Rebel Magazine, July 2023
In this interview published by Canvas Rebel Magazine, Ernesto Rodriguez discusses the evolution of bringing nature into the classroom.  He outlines the science and the emotional and cognitive benefits of having tree ceiling murals in classrooms.  Read Article

Presentation:  "The Science and Benefits of Bringing the Outdoors Inside"

Association of California School Administrators
2022 Leadership Summit, Nov 2022
The science and application of Attention Restoration Theory with current classroom examples.

​​“Use of Tree Canopy Images in School Classrooms to Promote Mindfulness, Positive Behavior, and Enhance Learning”

White Paper, March 2022
​Educational research shows classroom views to nature or images trees boosts academic achievement, social-emotional development, and nurtures environmental stewardship.
Read Article

​​“Trees in the Classroom”

​Legacy Magazine, Nov/Dec 2021
In this article published by the National Association for Interpretation.  Ernesto Rodriguez outlines the benefits to students and teachers of bringing nature indoors.  Read Article
​

​Presentation: “Attention Restoration Theory”

​LAUSD – Task Force on Environmental Education, Dec 2021
Forty years of science shows images of nature evoke the brain to respond as if you were present in a natural environment.  When we view images of trees, it calms us and helps us focus and engage.
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​“Program Puts Tree Canopies on Mainland School Ceilings”

​The Catalina Islander, Sept 2021
Avalon-based Nature In The Classroom raised funds to minimize COVID impact on East Los Angeles.  Read Article
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​“Nature In The Classroom Brings Trees Into Learning Spaces”

​Tree Foundation, Sept 2020
Nature In The Classroom is installing awe-inspiring canopy ceilings inside children’s classrooms… an amazing way to connect young students to the outdoors, promote learning, and create a lifelong love and support for trees and nature.  Read Article

​“Enhancing Education With Tree Ceilings”

​Global Giving Fundraising Campaign, Sept 2020
NITC will install tree ceilings in Title1 schools in Latino communities in East LA.  COVID-19 has disproportionally affected this population, traumatizing its children.  The campaign has raised $16,045.  Read Article

​“Nature Moves Into the Classroom”

​The Catalina Islander, May 2018
Catalina Kid Ventures Preschool is the recipient of a grove of scrub oaks in the classroom.  Read Article

​Presentation: “Bringing Nachure* Indoors”

​Catalina Island Conservancy,  March 2018
Research shows that the earlier children form an emotional bond with nature, the greater the likelihood they will become environmental stewards.  Read Article

​“Bringing Nature Into the Classrooms”

The Catalina Islander, March 2018
Nature In The Classroom, a local non-profit company, recently
installed ceiling murals of island trees in kindergarten through second grade classrooms at Avalon School.  Read Article