Our Story

Touch Grass Initiative is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life in urban settings by fostering connections with nature. Our programs are thoughtfully designed to:
- Encourage exploration and creativity through outdoor activities
- Provide educational resources about environmental stewardship
- Build a supportive community for families in low-income areas.

Our founder, Alanna Gardner, has always had a deep love for the outdoors and for sustainable living. As a child, she was the kind of kid who splashed in rain puddles, read books about worms, went fishing with family, and more. That curiosity and care for the natural world never left her. Today, she enjoys long walks in nature, visiting the Detroit Zoo to learn about animals, and making everyday choices that reflect her commitment to the environment, like recycling and replacing disposable items with reusable alternatives at home.

The idea for Touch Grass Initiative grew from Alanna’s experience as a mother raising two kids in the eastside of Detroit. She wanted her children to build their own connection with nature - not just on special trips, but in their everyday lives, right in their own backyard. But in Detroit, like in many urban communities, barriers like limited access to green space, environmental injustices, and a lack of safe, welcoming outdoor programming often stand in the way of those experiences.

Alanna created Touch Grass Initiative to change that. What started with backyard activities for her own kids became a growing vision: to give individuals and families the resources, confidence, and inspiration to connect with nature wherever they are, especially in their own neighborhoods and backyards. Touch Grass Initiative is rooted in the belief that nature isn’t somewhere you have to “go”, it’s something we all deserve access to, right where we are.