Partnership Develops Action Plan to Reconnect Kids with Nature

National Recreation and Park Association – September 07, 2009

Three major parks conservation organizations announced an historic partnership to confront the diminishing relationship between children and nature and the impact on children’s health and well-being. In an effort to reverse the negative effects of this growing disconnect, National Recreation and Park Association, National Association of State Park Directors, and the National Park Service developed a five-point plan of action:

• Focus on individual initiatives to increase the public awareness and value of connecting children and nature toward a goal of improving the knowledge of our nation’s natural resources and the health and welfare of the present and future generations of young Americans.

• Join together in a continuing dialogue to discuss common issues and implement solutions to create a seamless system of services representing all units of government throughout America.

• Share information and knowledge on developing and expanding natural resource education and recreation opportunities for children and their families.

• Engage other federal, state, local, tribal, and non-government partners in shared technology and interactive programs and problem-solving activities to achieve mutually agreed upon goals to connect children and nature.

• Promote a national campaign to recognize the importance of connecting children and families to nature.

In summarizing the crisis prompting this collaborative undertaking, Greg Butts, president of National Association of State Park Directors; Daniel Wenk, acting director of the National Park Service; and Lois Finkelman, chair of the NRPA board of trustees; conclude:

“The way children understand and experience their natural world has changed radically over the past several decades,” the declaration signers state. “Their inability to connect with nature is now recognized as a national issue of concern. There is speculation that the loss of a child/nature connection threatens their independent judgment, their value of place, their ability to feel awe and wonder, their sense of stewardship for the earth and their psychological and physical health. Physical inactivity and a lack of contact with nature among our youth and families are becoming increasingly recognized as contributing to a national health crisis that can manifest itself in child obesity and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

“Our goal is simple,” says Rich Dolesh, NRPA’s chief of public policy. “We want to see the children and families of our nation once again connecting to nature through outdoor recreation while at the same time enhancing their fitness and health.”

For additional information or a full copy of the Partnership Declaration, contact Nina
Gordon, at ngordon@parks.ca.gov or 916-653-9377.

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