Education | Campaign/Initiative

EastBayRI.com – November 25, 2009

Rhode Island Audubon Receives Federal Grant for Education

By Michael Yoder
U.S. Senator Jack Reed recently visited the Audubon Society of Rhode Island’s Environmental Education Center in Bristol to award a $143,000 federal grant to the society to provide instructional opportunities for students with limited economic resources. The money will be used in the Audubon’s Environmental Education for Urban Schools Initiative to bring 4,500 students yearly from schools throughout the state. [+]

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Event | Leadership

First Ever Youth Congress on Children and Nature Held in Wyoming

The First Wyoming Youth Congress on Children and Nature was held at Teton Science Schools in Jackson, WY on October 15-18, 2009. Students representing Wyoming’s 48 school districts were invited to convene in a structured setting to voice opinions, share visions, and identify new ideas related to their connection to the outdoors. These youth leaders were empowered to effect change across the state of Wyoming by inspiring other youth, parents, teachers, and decision-makers to take action.
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Campaign/Initiative

Seacoast Online – October 04, 2009

New Hampshire Get Out and Play Weekend a Model for Others

By Beth LaMontagne Hall
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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Access | Leadership

The (Connecticut) Day – September 10, 2009

Connecticut Appointee Vows to Continue No Child Left Inside Efforts

By Judy Benson
Amey Marrella, nominated by Connecticut Governor M. Jodi Rell to be the state’s new commissioner of the Department of Environmental Protection, has vowed to maintain a commitment to state parks and to the No Child Left Inside Initiative begun by her predecessor, Gina McCarthy, to foster a love of the outdoors and outdoor activities among young people. [+]

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Event

National League of Cities – May 27, 2009

Charles Stresses Children and Nature at Texas Summit

By Michael Karpman
More than 40 Texas mayors, council members, city managers, and senior municipal staff convened recently for the Mayors’ Summit for Children and Families of North Texas. The event provided local officials with an opportunity to learn and share best practices from cities in Texas and communities throughout the nation. The Children & Nature Network’s Cheryl Charles addressed the group, emphasizing the importance of connecting children to nature and ensuring that they have adequate time outdoors. [+]

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Legislation/Policy

WREX - Rockford Illinois – February 26, 2009

Quinn Reverses Blago Decision, Reopens Seven State Parks

By Samantha Ptashkin
On February 26, Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn gave the order to reopen seven state parks. Quinn said in a news conference, "We have perhaps among children and adults and everybody in our state a 'nature-deficit disorder' and we've got to cure that ailment and there's one way to do it. All of us have to get outside." [+]

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Legislation/Policy

New State DNR Chief Has Long-Standing Love of Outdoors

Mark Miller's father and grandfather taught him that if he took care of nature, nature would take care of him. Miller, appointed by Governor Quinn to head the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, has two main goals during his tenure: to increase outdoor opportunities of all kinds and to get more young people outside.

“We spent a lot of my early childhood (on the farm). It was a wonderful place to connect with the land.” [+]

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