http://www.cnaturenet.org/news/ Movement News & Commentary en Children and Nature Network Copyright 2009 2009-01-05T01:42:00-08:00 http://www.childrenandnature.org/news/detail/ohio_educator_studying_students_interaction_with_nature/ http://www.childrenandnature.org/news/detail/ohio_educator_studying_students_interaction_with_nature/ Lisa Bircher, an Ohio high-school science teacher and doctoral candidate at Kent State University, is exploring how changes in society are affecting kids’ abilities to interact with nature. “I want to know what’s really going on here,” says Bircher, “if there is a lack of knowledge or interest in nature, and if that’s the case, how we, as teachers and educators, can work to improve this, correct it, and encourage kids to want to explore their surroundings.” 2009-01-05T00:42:00-08:00 http://www.childrenandnature.org/news/detail/nature_makes_a_comeback_in_wisconsin_schools/ http://www.childrenandnature.org/news/detail/nature_makes_a_comeback_in_wisconsin_schools/ Nature is on the rise in schools across Wisconsin, as educators there strive to reconnect children to nature by expanding school forests, planting gardens on school grounds, and developing nature-based lesson plans. Wisconsin became the first state in the nation to create legislation for school forests in 1927, and now 205 of 426 school districts in the state have such forests. 2009-01-05T00:40:00-08:00 http://www.childrenandnature.org/news/detail/snow_is_no_obstacle_to_outdoor_fun/ http://www.childrenandnature.org/news/detail/snow_is_no_obstacle_to_outdoor_fun/ A little snow is no reason to keep children indoors. From building snowmen to making snow cones, the cold weather offers many unique opportunities for kids to connect with nature, and even preschoolers should be encouraged to bundle up and venture outdoors. 2008-12-29T21:01:00-08:00 http://www.childrenandnature.org/news/detail/teddy_project_featured_on_public_radio/ http://www.childrenandnature.org/news/detail/teddy_project_featured_on_public_radio/ In an effort to encourage children to visit the nation’s wildlife refuges, Jonathan Schafler started the Teddy Project five years ago. The unique program enlists art students to create animated cartoons to expose urban youth to wildlife and wild places using technologies they know and enjoy. Since its inception, Project Teddy has generated some 37 films that give an inside look at many of the country’s refuges. 2008-12-22T16:51:00-08:00 http://www.childrenandnature.org/news/detail/interior_nominee_praised_for_children_and_nature_efforts/ http://www.childrenandnature.org/news/detail/interior_nominee_praised_for_children_and_nature_efforts/ Supporters of the children and nature movement were quick to praise President-Elect Barack Obama’s nominee for Secretary of the Interior, Colorado Senator Ken Salazar. In the words of National Park Trust Board Chairman William Brownell, Senator Salazar “has substantial experience with parks and public lands and has shown a clear commitment throughout his career to reconnecting children and nature.” National, Leadership 2008-12-22T16:47:01-08:00 http://www.childrenandnature.org/news/detail/a_call_for_more_open_spaces_for_kids_in_india/ http://www.childrenandnature.org/news/detail/a_call_for_more_open_spaces_for_kids_in_india/ In a recent article, the architect and writer Himanshu Burte laments the lack of public spaces in India where children can play. “Our cities are expanding, filling up, going higher, and digging down,” he notes. “But have we left our kids behind in the rush?” International, Access 2008-12-22T16:43:00-08:00 http://www.childrenandnature.org/news/detail/children_and_nature_movement_gaining_momentum_worldwide/ http://www.childrenandnature.org/news/detail/children_and_nature_movement_gaining_momentum_worldwide/ The children and nature movement received a major global boost recently at the International Union for the Conservation of Nature’s World Conservation Congress in Barcelona. International, Event 2008-12-15T15:39:00-08:00 http://www.childrenandnature.org/news/detail/gift_ideas_to_get_kids_outdoors/ http://www.childrenandnature.org/news/detail/gift_ideas_to_get_kids_outdoors/ Rather than waiting in line for the latest electronic gadget, parents should consider giving their children toys that encourage outdoor play. Writer Peter Zimowsky of the Idaho Statesman offers a number of suggestions, including compact binoculars and kid-sized fishing poles. He also reminds parents that giving an outdoors gift means committing to take their children fishing, hiking, birding, or sledding. Commentary, Media & Culture 2008-12-14T23:56:00-08:00 http://www.childrenandnature.org/news/detail/removal_of_nature_words_from_dictionary_causes_uproar/ http://www.childrenandnature.org/news/detail/removal_of_nature_words_from_dictionary_causes_uproar/ A decision by the publisher of the Oxford Junior Dictionary to replace words like “beaver” and “dandelion” with “blog” and “MP3 player” has prompted some to react with outrage. As noted wildlife artist and conservationist Robert Bateman observed, “If you can’t name things, how can you love them? And if you don't love them, then you’re not going to care a hoot about protecting them or voting for issues that would protect them.” Commentary, Media & Culture 2008-12-14T23:53:01-08:00 http://www.childrenandnature.org/news/detail/alaska_summit_draws_attention_to_nature_deficit_disorder/ http://www.childrenandnature.org/news/detail/alaska_summit_draws_attention_to_nature_deficit_disorder/ Officials from local, state, and federal organizations gathered in Alaska recently for the Get Outdoors, Anchorage! summit to discuss nature-deficit disorder and its causes. The summit offered participants an opportunity to learn about successful efforts to reconnect children and nature and to identify opportunities in the region to engage children with nature. International, Event 2008-12-14T23:51:00-08:00 http://www.childrenandnature.org/news/detail/stick_inducted_into_toy_hall_of_fame/ http://www.childrenandnature.org/news/detail/stick_inducted_into_toy_hall_of_fame/ The humble stick, possibly the world’s oldest toy, was recently added to the National Toy Hall of Fame, joining the likes of Barbie, teddy bears, and Mr. Potato Head. Remarked one toy historian: “The hall of fame is not suggesting you go out in the woods and wrap up a stick for a Christmas present. But play can be found anywhere. Kids have lost some creativity in this high-tech generation.” 2008-12-08T17:11:00-08:00 http://www.childrenandnature.org/news/detail/book_inspires_local_official_to_act/ http://www.childrenandnature.org/news/detail/book_inspires_local_official_to_act/ A member of a local board of supervisors in rural Pennsylvania is using Last Child in the Woods to help inform public policy. Supervisor Stacey Mulholland, working with other communities and agencies, plans to establish a day-long program at an area park that she hopes will introduce, or reintroduce, local children to the wonders of nature. 2008-12-08T17:09:00-08:00 http://www.childrenandnature.org/news/detail/founder_describes_evolution_of_earth_school/ http://www.childrenandnature.org/news/detail/founder_describes_evolution_of_earth_school/ What does it take to turn concern for kids into action? Barbara Sarbin, founder of Earth School in New York’s Westchester County, describes both the inspiration and evolution of her farm-based institution, which now provides hands-on academic and agricultural lessons to more than 1,000 public school students a year. 2008-12-08T17:06:00-08:00 http://www.childrenandnature.org/news/detail/idaho_fish_and_game_announces_new_outdoor_campaign/ http://www.childrenandnature.org/news/detail/idaho_fish_and_game_announces_new_outdoor_campaign/ Idaho Fish and Game, inspired by Richard Louv’s Last Child in the Woods, is starting a new campaign to address children’s current physical, mental, and emotional disconnect from the natural world. Idaho Fish and Game plans to officially launch the Be Outside campaign in January with community events, backyard activities, and a list of outdoor activities on the agency’s website. 2008-12-01T02:09:00-08:00 http://www.childrenandnature.org/news/detail/bbc_children_playing_outside_laugh_more/ http://www.childrenandnature.org/news/detail/bbc_children_playing_outside_laugh_more/ A study by a BBC child psychologist has found that the more children play outside away from TV and computers, the more they laugh. According to the author of the study, Dr. Tessa Livingstone, the children who played most laughed up to 20 times as much as the children who played less. 2008-12-01T02:07:00-08:00 http://www.childrenandnature.org/news/detail/new_jersey_legislators_vote_for_recess_task_force/ http://www.childrenandnature.org/news/detail/new_jersey_legislators_vote_for_recess_task_force/ The New Jersey state assembly voted overwhelmingly in favor of a bill that seeks to establish a task force to study the social and health benefits of student recess and to develop recommendations on whether to make recess mandatory in all New Jersey school districts. If the bill becomes law, the new task force will examine current research, programs, and initiatives related to the physical, social, emotional, and intellectual benefits achieved by young students as a result of participation in school recess. 2008-12-01T02:03:01-08:00 http://www.childrenandnature.org/news/detail/sports_illustrated_americans_becoming_indoor_people/ http://www.childrenandnature.org/news/detail/sports_illustrated_americans_becoming_indoor_people/ An article in the latest issue of Sports Illustrated magazine examining the decline in hunting in North America attributes the phenomenon in part to Americans, especially young Americans, becoming an “indoor people.” In the words of one expert quoted in the article, “What we're seeing among young people is, in a phrase, nature-deficit disorder. People are growing disconnected from the outdoors.” 2008-11-24T01:14:00-08:00 http://www.childrenandnature.org/news/detail/visits_to_national_forests_declining/ http://www.childrenandnature.org/news/detail/visits_to_national_forests_declining/ New figures from the federal government show a steep decline in the number of people visiting national forests over the last few years. Total forest visits dropped from 204.8 million in 2004 to 178.6 million in 2007, a 13 percent decline. The drop was most dramatic in the Northwest, where visits fell by 27 percent. 2008-11-24T01:12:00-08:00 http://www.childrenandnature.org/news/detail/children_and_nature_forum_coming_to_british_columbia/ http://www.childrenandnature.org/news/detail/children_and_nature_forum_coming_to_british_columbia/ The Children & Nature Network is co-sponsoring Get Outside! It’s in Our Nature, an international conference on children, families, and nature taking place next March in British Columbia. The forum will offer an opportunity for academics, educators, researchers, and youth to learn, share, and contribute to developing a strategy and action plan for British Columbia and its people. International, Event 2008-11-24T01:10:00-08:00 http://www.childrenandnature.org/news/detail/study_finds_access_to_nature_increases_longevity/ http://www.childrenandnature.org/news/detail/study_finds_access_to_nature_increases_longevity/ Researchers in the UK have found that living near parks and woodland boosts health, regardless of a person’s social class. It’s the first time anyone has systematically shown that the health gap between rich and poor can be decreased with the help of green spaces. The researchers hope their findings will influence planning authorities to consider making green spaces available on grounds of health and well-being. Research & Studies, Access 2008-11-24T01:07:00-08:00 http://www.childrenandnature.org/news/detail/students_push_for_new_school_playground/ http://www.childrenandnature.org/news/detail/students_push_for_new_school_playground/ Students at Peter Woodbury Elementary School in New Hampshire are raising funds to build new outdoor play areas at their school. The students hope to raise $150,000 for grounds that will combine a traditional play structure, a natural landscape with trees, a functioning garden, and an outdoor classroom. Staff at the school was inspired to design a playground that would give children more interaction with the outdoors in a natural landscape after reading Richard Louv’s book Last Child in the Woods. 2008-11-17T16:24:00-08:00 http://www.childrenandnature.org/news/detail/rehab_center_builds_mountain_nature_trail/ http://www.childrenandnature.org/news/detail/rehab_center_builds_mountain_nature_trail/ In an effort to make nature more accessible to all, New Hampshire’s Crotched Mountain rehabilitation center is building a four-mile trail along the side of the mountain on which its facility rests. The trail will offer wheelchair-bound students at the Crotched Mountain school an opportunity to experience nature up close. The first one-mile stage of the trail is scheduled to be completed next spring. 2008-11-17T16:19:00-08:00 http://www.childrenandnature.org/news/detail/outdoor_bill_of_rights_unveiled_at_chicago_event/ http://www.childrenandnature.org/news/detail/outdoor_bill_of_rights_unveiled_at_chicago_event/ Children should have the right to camp under the stars, play in the mud, climb a tree, and plant flowers, according to a new Children’s Outdoor Bill of Rights announced at the Chicago Wilderness Congress. Part of a larger No Child Left Inside initiative aimed at creating a culture in which children are encouraged to connect with nature, the proclamation is similar to one endorsed by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger of California in July 2007. 2008-11-17T16:13:00-08:00 http://www.childrenandnature.org/news/detail/bike_group_introduces_gateway_trails/ http://www.childrenandnature.org/news/detail/bike_group_introduces_gateway_trails/ The International Mountain Biking Association is launching a new initiative to build what it calls "gateway trails" to broaden the recreational options available to families in urban and suburban communities. The IMBA hopes the new trail systems will “inspire kids to explore the natural world and lead to positive associations with exercise.” International, Access, Campaign/Initiative 2008-11-10T00:06:00-08:00 http://www.childrenandnature.org/news/detail/louv_to_address_national_trails_symposium/ http://www.childrenandnature.org/news/detail/louv_to_address_national_trails_symposium/ The 19th National Trails Symposium will feature a keynote address by Richard Louv, author of Last Child in the Woods. The event, which will be taking place in Arkansas starting November 15, is a biennial conference hosted by American Trails, a nonprofit that works to protect America’s network of interconnected trails. The theme this year is “Innovative Trails: Transforming the American Way of Life.” 2008-11-10T00:04:00-08:00