Local News
Campaign/Initiative
The Times (of Munster, Indiana) – January 09, 2008
Chicago Groups Join Forces to Launch Regional Initiative
The Lake County Parks and Recreation Department and Chicago Wilderness have joined forces to launch the regional Leave No Child Inside initiative. It will include workshops for educators, opportunities for partnerships among local organizations, and efforts at the state and national levels to support outdoor programming for children. [+]
Commentary | Access
Star Tribune (of Minneapolis-St. Paul) – January 02, 2008
Bloomington Parks Adapt to Today’s Needs
By Mary Jane Smetanka
Randy Quale, manager of the Parks and Recreation Division in Bloomington, Minnesota, has a unique perspective on children and their connection, or lack thereof, with nature. “You start to wonder how many kids have the chance for unstructured play outside,” he says. Thus one of his priorities is for the city’s parks is to provide a place where parents feel secure letting their children engage in unattended outdoor play.
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Built Environment | Education
Akron Beacon Journal – December 28, 2007
Last Child in the Woods Inspires Interactive Exhibit
By Dottie Shin
Inspired by the children and nature movement, Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens in Akron, Ohio, has commissioned an artist to create a series of interactive outdoor sculptures for children. P.R. Miller, who uses mostly recycled materials, will build hundreds of giant flowers and other pieces for the grounds. A previous exhibit convinced the garden’s programmers that what visitors like best, more than any specific events, is the chance for their children to play outdoors.
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Campaign/Initiative
The Greeley Tribune – October 14, 2007
Losing ground: More people means more houses, leaving fewer places to explore
By Dan England,
While there's a growing urgency to address kids losing touch with the outdoors, "most still have never heard of the idea," said Zoe Whyman, community relations manager for the Fort Collins Natural Areas Program. "Just making people aware of the problem is our main goal." Whyman's group is among organizations in the Fort Collins area dedicated to helping kids get in touch with nature and the outdoors. These include the Boy Scouts of America -- Longs Peak Council, the Colorado Division of Wildlife, Colorado Youth Outdoors, Kids in the Woods, the Poudre Education Center, and the Fort Collins Aububon Society.
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Campaign/Initiative
The Ledger, New York Times Regional Media Group – October 05, 2007
A high-tech trail trek to draw kids outdoors
By Gary White
A celebration on October 6 kicked off a year-long series of hiking events. One way organizers hope to interest children - and their parents - in exploring the outdoors is through geocaching, a high-tech form of treasure hunting. Caches will be hidden along each of the hiking routes, and participants will receive "passport journals" in which to document their activities.
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Education | Campaign/Initiative
Cincinnati Digs Nature for Kids
Betsy Townsend, a leader in the Leave No Child Inside of Greater Cincinnati campaign, reports the campaign’s goal: to educate the public about the mental, physical and emotional health benefits of playing in nature, for all children.
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C&NN has designated April "Children & Nature Awareness Month." As part of this effort, we invited network members (like you) to list their April programs and share their strategies for building public awareness. Find out what's happening in your community on the C&NN Movement Map.
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:
An annotated bibliography of 20 premier studies focusing on the children and nature connection.
