Idori was born out of my deep love for nature, a passion that was nurtured during my childhood in the beautiful landscapes of Vermont. Growing up surrounded by lush forests, clear rivers, and towering mountains, I developed a profound appreciation for the natural world and a commitment to protect it. When I moved to Boston to attend Boston University, I quickly realized that many children in the city don’t have the same opportunities to connect with nature. In the bustling urban environment, the simple joys of exploring a forest or watching wildlife are often out of reach for young minds.

This realization sparked a deep concern within me: how can we expect future generations to care about the environment if they never truly experience its beauty? Driven by this question, I began researching and interviewing parents, teachers, and educators, seeking to understand how environmental education was being approached. What I discovered was troubling. Children begin developing values, behaviors, and biases as early as three years old, yet sustainability and environmental conservation are often not introduced until much later. By that time, critical years for shaping habits and attitudes have already passed.

Determined to make a difference, I took a job at the Boston Outdoor Preschool Network, where I led nature-based learning experiences for young children. Working with kids every day, I was inspired to see how they learn best through play and storytelling. This insight led me to create Idori, a project focused on using children's books, plush toys, and interactive activities to teach kids about sustainability in a way that is both fun and meaningful.

Today, we take our books, toys, and curriculum into schools around Boston, teaching children that they have the power to make a difference. At Idori, we fight climate anxiety with climate optimism. We believe that every child has the capacity to be the change they want to see in the world. What began as a small project during my freshman year at Boston University has now grown into a thriving initiative, supported by over 30 dedicated student volunteers, all working together to build a more sustainable future. At Idori, we are committed to instilling a lifelong love for the environment in children, inspiring them to become the environmental stewards our planet desperately needs.

- Noah Sorin, Founder & CEO