Welcome to the Nature Story Loop

Welcome to CuriOdyssey's Nature Story Loop, a unique interactive experience that connects visitors with nature through storytelling and outdoor play, launching June 13, 2025.

Each stop along this self-guided storybook trail centers around a different environmental theme, ranging from human-animal-environmental interconnectedness to climate justice to the mental health benefits of nature—all interwoven in a heartwarming story. As the initiative unfolds over the next two years, visitors will be able to enjoy a variety of interactive outdoor spaces along the trail where children can build, dig, play, or simply daydream in nature. It will also offer an opportunity for adults and kids of all ages to think about their relationship to the natural world, and perhaps learn something new.

Conceived by CuriOdyssey’s Director of Animal Health and Conservation, Kate Sulzner in collaboration with staff, the Nature Story Loop centers around a storybook path and interactive outdoor spaces and gardens, where children can engage in uncurated play and nature exploration.

Stories are image-rich and easy to read, with text and audio available in English and Spanish, accessed through a QR code on each sign. In our pavilion near the start of the loop, you'll find a map to help you navigate.

Download the Nature Story Loop Map >

Nature Story Loop

On the Nature Story Loop, visitors will take an adventure around CuriOdyssey where key environmental science topics will be highlighted throughout a story trail. The nature story comes to life through the beautiful, nature-inspired illustrations of Rachel Hudson, whose stylized linework and vibrant details reveal an array of plants and animals native to the Bay Area. Rachel Hudson, author of100 Endangered Species and How to Know a Crow— long-listed for The Children's Wainwright Prize—brings her signature blend of science and artistic warmth to every panel.

Environmental Education Garden

The Environmental Education Garden centers around themes of biodiversity, environmental justice, soil health, and climate resilience, while offering a great opportunity for children and caretakers to indulge their green thumbs and cultivate a love of native plants and pollinators. Volunteers will be onsite to help identify plants, and encourage kids to use all their senses to explore the space.

The Nature Story Loop will be a permanent addition to CuriOdyssey, free with admission, where interactive nature spaces will be unveiled gradually over the next two years. Other future zones along the trail will offer an escape from indoor spaces and screens, and provide green spaces where kids and caretakers can engage their senses in nature exploration and play.

The Nature Story Loop exhibit will be completed in two phases:

Phase One: The storybook trail, including the Environmental Education Garden will open to the public on July 13.
Phase Two: Completion of Bay Grove Nature Play Zone, Field Pod Stations, and further exhibits, Sept 2025–December 2027.

Story Text and Audio

Questions?

Email conservation@curiodyssey.org.