Article by Kara Schwalbe

Photos by Keely Zimmermann

If you’re looking for a safe place to explore a slightly wild setting with your toddler, look no further than Nature Nuts at the Montana Audubon Center. It’s more than just a playgroup; it’s a gateway for young children (and their caregivers) to build a lifelong relationship with the outdoors.  

Each Tuesday from 10:00 to 11:00 am, the center serves as a laboratory for “tiny humans.” Whether it’s catching bugs in nets, canoeing on the pond, or making mobiles from found treasures, the goal is simple: get outside and experience nature. 

From Lessons to Shared Experiences  

The mission of Montana Audubon is to promote appreciation, knowledge, and conservation of Montana’s native birds, other wildlife, and natural ecosystems, and to safeguard biological diversity for current and future generations. Nature Nuts is at the heart of this mission. Originally started in 2010 by Sarah Chatwood, the program has evolved from simple children's lessons into shared experiences for families. Everyone participates, often making lasting connections with other families in the process.  

“Nature Nuts provides tiny humans an opportunity to get outside and start building that relationship with nature,” says Sarah Schultz, Teacher Naturalist and the program’s facilitator. “This early exposure to spiders, birds, unpredictable weather, and unpredictable terrain all creates a foundation for future naturalists.”  

Meet Your Guide: Sarah Schultz 

As both the facilitator and the Center’s Facility & Grounds Coordinator, Sarah knows every inch of the property. Her dual role means she isn’t just teaching; she’s actively maintaining the native Montana landscape where children play.   

As a mother of four, Sarah understands the “nature nerves” firsthand. She remembers being a new mom, feeling hesitant to take her oldest outdoors. “I would have enjoyed having a place like this to have someone guide me through the Montana landscape,” she reflects. Now, she provides that grace and guidance to others, helping families overcome their fear of mud, bugs, and “not-so-perfect” weather.   

The Beauty of “Uncomfortable but OK” 

In Montana, if you wait for a “perfect 10” day, you’ll never go outside. Sarah leans into this reality. She recalls a session planned as a “leaf pile day” that was derailed by heavy rain. Instead of canceling, she leaned into the mess. The kids made “mud meatballs” and jumped in slippery leaves. They went home wet, muddy, and wearing huge smiles. It’s a philosophy Sarah uses with her own family: “I’m uncomfortable, but I am OK.” Usually, “OK” quickly turns into “fun.” 

 “My goal is to help families realize they can get outside and be a safe space for them...As a mom and a Teacher Naturalist, I hope to give grace to caregivers doing their best and kids learning life.” 

What to Expect   

Each week, regardless of the weather, Nature Nuts participants are greeted by Sarah at the picnic table near the parking lot. Sarah prepares a different activity, theme, or topic, and the program is fairly unstructured and open-ended. If your child doesn’t want to touch the dirt on day one, that’s fine. Sarah’s advice? Bring them anyway and keep bringing them. Watching caregivers and kids gain confidence together is, as Sarah puts it, priceless. “Outdoor play and exploration will create confident, healthy kids connected with nature. These kids will grow to be stewards of the land and creatures they encounter.”  

Program Details: Nature Nuts @ Montana Audubon Center 

When: Tuesdays, 10-11am (year-round, rain or shine, hot or cold) 

Where: Montana Audubon Center, Billings 

Ages: Approx. 18 months – 5 years old 

Cost: $5 per child (Free for members) 

Know before you go: Advanced registration is requested but not required.  You will be outside, wear clothes that can (and will) get dirty!   

Originally printed in the June 2026 issue of Simply Local Magazine

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