Allies News
Media & Culture | Campaign/Initiative
MarketWatch – September 22, 2009
The North Face Launches Website to Connect People with the Outdoors
Outdoor retailer The North Face has announced the Bay Area launch of PlanetExplore, a new online community that aims to connect people to the outdoors by serving as a hub for outdoor activities such as hiking, biking, climbing, and running in their area. As part of PlanetExplore, The North Face has partnered with the Children & Nature Network, Outward Bound, the Sierra Club, and other organizations that promote outdoor participation. Later in 2009, PlanetExplore will launch in Denver and New York City.
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Health | Event
KaBOOM! Encourages Communities to “Get Outside and Play!”
By Bethe Almeras - The Grass Stain Guru
From September 19 - 27, over 1,000 communities across the U.S. will host free, fun-for-the-whole-family events that focus on the importance of play in children’s lives. Whether you are a naturalist who does children’s programming, a parent that heads-up a Family Nature Club, a recreation leader at a teen center, or a park ranger, KaBOOM! encourages you to host a Play Day in your community.
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Media & Culture | Leadership
BassPro Video Game Trade-in; 15% off to Get Kids Out
By BassPro
BassPro announces one of the most innovative strategies we've seen to date for getting kids outdoors. This week, all around the country, kids and adults will be turning in their video games for a 15% discount off fishing gear, water sports items, tents, sleeping bags and footwear.
"One of the most exciting and invigorating places to go this summer is just beyond your front door," said Larry Whiteley, Bass Pro Shops Manager of Communications. "Bass Pro Shops is committed to helping adults and children across the nation put away their laptops, video games, PDAs and cell phones this summer and head outdoors.
Built Environment
Church Executive – March 01, 2008
Churches Encouraged to Connect Children with Nature
By Rachel Beach
The people who run the nation’s churches are being asked to “restore the connection between today’s children and nature” in the latest issue of Church Executive magazine. In addition to creating play environments on church grounds that incorporate more natural elements like trees and even wildlife, churches should consider restoring green play spaces within their communities as part of their ministries.
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Resource
Drive – January 01, 2008
Subaru Promotes Children and Nature Movement
By Richard Louv
Car manufacturer Subaru has devoted the cover of its quarterly magazine Drive to promoting the children and nature movement. Inside the magazine there is an excerpt from Richard Louv’s Last Child in the Woods that provides a succinct introduction to the ideas behind the movement. The magazine also features information on the National Wildlife Federation’s Green Hour program and the efforts of the No Child Left Inside Coalition.
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Health | Leadership
Grist – December 18, 2007
REI Chief Bemoans Overscheduled Kids
By Sarah Van Schagen
Sally Jewell, the head of outdoor-equipment retailer REI, says in a recent interview that children spend far too much of their time in front of computer or television screens. She credits Richard Louv with putting into words her concerns about young people today. The challenge, she says, is getting technology and nature to work together for their benefit.
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Education | Event
OWLink Media – March 08, 2010
New and Expanded Coyote’s Guide to Connecting with Nature, 2nd Edition
Expanded material provides new methods of mentoring children in nature. The second edition is more comprehensive and features beautiful full color photographs, a comprehensive index, and color codes that link the principles and activities for easier navigation. Hailed by Richard Louv, author of Last Child in the Woods, as “good medicine for nature-deficit disorder.” Visit www.naturementoring.com to learn more about the 2nd edition and take advantage of a limited-time offer.
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Media & Culture
Huffington Post – February 24, 2010
James Cameron: We All Suffer from Nature-Deficit Disorder
By Deborah Schoeneman
At a recent benefit for the Natural Resources Defense Council, director James Cameron talked about trying to change people's perceptions about the natural world though the blockbuster Avatar. Cameron described himself as a "nature geek" and told the audience at the fundraiser that we all suffer from nature-deficit disorder.
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Education | Media & Culture
Parent Dish – December 30, 2009
New American Doll Aims to Get Girls Outdoors
By Honey Berk
American Doll has created a new doll to help encourage girls to spend more time outdoors and connect with nature. The company partnered with the National Wildlife Federation to develop free classroom curriculum materials to support the effort.
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Education | Campaign/Initiative
The Learning Community – September 26, 2008
Student Letter Leads to $110,000 Grant from Lowe’s
A letter last year from a fourth-grader at a public charter school in Rhode Island inspired executives at Lowe’s to award the school a $110,000 grant to build a new playground. The student, Bernardo Garcia, wrote hoping the company would donate grass to turn a parking lot into a soccer field. Instead, his letter has resulted in a custom-designed playground that combines traditional climbing equipment and natural environments.
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Education
(Cedar Rapids) Gazette – April 12, 2008
One Farmer’s Efforts to Connect Kids with Nature
By Orlan Love
Dick Jensen, an Iowa farmer with a love for nature, has made it his mission to teach young people about the joys and the value of spending time outdoors. In 1990 he started welcoming youth groups to his farm; in 2000 he began building a two-mile nature trail on his property; and in 2006 he founded Take a Kid Outdoors, a nonprofit educational organization that has since benefited hundreds of youngsters already.
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Health | Resource
Miracle-Gro – April 09, 2008
Corporate Survey Looks at Benefits of Outdoor Time
The Miracle-Gro company is touting the results of a survey it conducted showing that while 84 percent of parents feel it’s important for young people to spend time outdoors, most admit that their children spend less time outdoors than they did as children. “By spending less time outdoors,” the company says, “people are endangering their connection with nature and depriving themselves of the health benefits of being outside and being active.” [+]
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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:
