Our Roots
Our Mission
Deeply Rooted Outdoor Education exists to transform how people learn, connect, and belong in nature by equipping educators and communities with inclusive, inquiry-driven experiences that bring learning to life—both in the classroom and beyond.
Our Roots
Deeply Rooted Outdoor Education was officially founded in 2022 by Brianna Amingwa, grounded in years of work at the intersection of environmental education, equity, and community. Through her career in federal service as an environmental educator and program leader, Brianna worked closely with communities impacted by environmental injustice and saw firsthand the disconnect between learning and real-world experience—between access to nature and a true sense of belonging in it.
At the same time, her involvement in national movements like #BlackBirdersWeek reinforced a critical truth: access, representation, and safety in outdoor spaces are not equitable—and meaningful change requires intentional design.
Deeply Rooted Outdoor Education was born from that intersection.
It reflects a commitment to doing things differently—creating inquiry-based, culturally responsive, and place-based learning experiences that are accessible, engaging, and grounded in the lived experiences of the communities they serve. At its core is the belief that when we design with inclusion in mind, it improves learning for everyone.
Since its founding, Deeply Rooted has grown our network through partnership, collaboration and high-quality design and service delivery. In 2025, Brianna stepped away from her role with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to lead the organization full-time—expanding its reach and impact.
Today, Deeply Rooted Outdoor Education partners with schools, organizations, and communities to reimagine learning as something active, connected, and deeply rooted in the world around us.
Why DROE?
The name Deeply Rooted is both personal and purposeful.
It honors the deep, enduring connections between people and the natural world—connections that exist whether or not they are always visible. For many communities, particularly Black communities, the relationship with nature is complex. Historical and systemic barriers around access, safety, and representation have shaped the narrative of who belongs outdoors.
But the truth is: we have always been connected.
That connection lives in traditions like fishing, gardening, and gathering. It shows up in cookouts, backyard games, and time spent with family outdoors. It lives in memory, culture, and everyday experience.
We are already deeply rooted.
Deeply Rooted Outdoor Education exists to help people reconnect with those roots—and to expand what that connection can look like. We believe that meaningful experiences in nature don’t have to fit a single image or expectation. They can be quiet, joyful, communal, reflective, academic, or exploratory. They can happen on a trail, in a schoolyard, or just outside the front door.
And in those moments, something powerful happens.
A student measures the circumference of a tree and begins to see math in the real world.
A family makes their first s’more over a campfire and creates a lasting memory.
A guide passes around a wild plant and invites visitors to connect through their senses and stories.
These are more than activities—they are moments of connection, meaning, and belonging.
That is what it means to be deeply rooted.
And that is why we are Deeply Rooted Outdoor Education.
Trusted Partnerships & Professional Affiliations
