Children & Nature Network - October 07, 2009
The Children & Nature Network (C&NN) was created to encourage and support the people and organizations working worldwide to reconnect children with nature. C&NN provides access to the latest news and research in the field and a peer-to-peer network of researchers and individuals, educators and organizations dedicated to children's health and well-being.
New Hampshire Get Out and Play Weekend a Model for Others
Communities looking for ways to reconnect children with nature would be well-advised to follow New Hampshire's lead. The state's Get Out and Play weekend, sponsored by the New Hampshire Children in Nature Coalition, featured a variety of events in many locations intended to introduce children to the joys of playing outdoors.[+]
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Campaign/Initiative | Education
Learning Gardens Connect Urban Kids with Natural World
Learning gardens are springing up at schools across the country to promote science, fitness, geography, geology, and literature—along with practice in teamwork and responsibility. Buffalo is one of many cities where educators are providing their students with safe places to experience the outdoors. [+]
Access | Campaign/Initiative
Texas Parks and Wildlife Promotes Family Nature Clubs
The latest issue of Texas Parks and Wildlife magazine features a primer on family nature clubs and a step-by-step guide for those interested in forming one. “By joining forces and forging a simple path to the outdoors many families have discovered that getting out on a trail or park or other natural setting is the best way to connect—not only with nature but with friends and family as well!” [+]
Campaign/Initiative | Media & Culture
Youth Outreach at Core of Major National Parks Report
A new report by the National Parks Second Century Commission encourages parks administrators, legislators, educators, and others to focus on engaging youth in their efforts moving forward. Interior Secretary Ken Salazar, in accepting the report from the 26-member commission, remarked, "We have a real need to reconnect people to our outdoors and the natural world. This is especially important for our young people." [+]
Health | Leadership
Nicholas Kristof: Let’s Get Kids Awed by Nature
New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristof, writing on the growing disconnect between children and nature, believes that getting kids awed by nature is as important as getting them reading. “Children for 1,000 generations grew up exploring fields, itching with poison oak and discovering the hard way what a wasp nest looks like. That’s no longer true.” [+]
Access | Campaign/Initiative
Partnership Develops Action Plan to Reconnect Kids with Nature
Three major parks conservation organizations announced an historic partnership to confront the diminishing relationship between children and nature. The National Recreation and Park Association, National Association of State Park Directors, and National Park Service developed a five-point plan of action that includes promoting a national campaign to recognize the importance of connecting children and families to nature. [+]
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As part of our ongoing efforts to build the movement, the Children & Nature Network has published two new resources for leaders, organizers, and participants at the local, national, and international levels:
