GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - The Green Bay city council gives the green light to a new preschool program expected to start next fall at Bay Beach Wildlife Sanctuary. 

Wildlife Sanctuary Director Mike Reed says the program is part of a growing trend of nature based education because kids, especially younger kids perform better. 

Reed says the program will get kids outside learning their core requirements. 

It’s a different direction for the city because they will be hiring a teacher and naturalist directly.  They in turn will work with the Green Bay school district who supplies the curriculum and resources.  

The city would receive funds of an estimated $57,000 on an annual basis from the Department of Public Instruction. 

Alderman Tom Sladek liked the idea of the program but questioned the city’s involvement and if they is really part of the city’s mission. 

Sladek wondered why the school district, who administers and runs programs like this, wasn’t better equipped to handle the program.