Critter, it's funny that you mention nature being included in elementary school. In my county, all sixth graders (which used to be elementary but is now junior high) attended a place called Nature's Classroom for five days. We didn't stay overnight; we took a bus there every day. We did activities like nature hikes where I found out violets were edible, took nets into the Hillsborough River to see what we could find, a boat ride down the same river, survivor skills, how to make and interpret trail signs (the kind you build with rocks and sticks), and other activities. Oh yeah, we got to shoot BB guns but somehow I don't think they allow that anymore. This was a week kids looked forward to for years!
When I got to high school, the budget was very tight and the school board said they were cutting back visits to Nature's Classroom to one day only. People protested and they managed a compromise where the students went for three days. I always felt bad that the kids never got the "full experience" like I did (and my older brother).
Another program that was very helpful to me was Girl Scouts. We did many, many outdoor activities and camping was the best! I learned how to go spider hunting at night. For those who have never done it, what you do is take a flashlight and aim it into the bushes and areas where you suspect spiders. Their eyes will glow back at you like gemstones. I remember being so excited when I found one with purple eyes - my favorite color!
I can say that from the number of kids I've talked to at MOSI, many schools are raising butterflies, usually Painted Ladies or Monarchs. Heck, even the young lady in the Starbucks drive-thru yesterday asked what I was doing up so early and I told her I was going to be gardening. She asked what kind so I said I was a butterfly gardener. And she told me how her local elementary school had a butterfly garden as part of its main courtyard. I think schools are getting the idea that learning about nature and the environment is a very important part of education. It might be easier for some areas of the country. I mean, you can go outside in Florida and observe nature pretty much every day of the year. I think environmental groups are also helping by providing things like free seeds and educational materials to the schools.
Okay, I'm down off my soapbox now.
It never occurred to me that beetles can be so beautiful until i started gardening and looking around.
I wished I could have gotten better pictures, it was quite amazing to watch. 
This is a favorite place for the geckos to rest during the afternoons, very safe from the birds. Sometimes there are two or three. I read that crickets are their favorite food.
