https://www.childrenandnature.org LEARN | CONNECT | ACT Tue, 27 Oct 2020 21:07:25 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=4.9.8 https://www.childrenandnature.org/2020/06/12/its-time-to-act-introducing-the-youth-outdoor-equity-leadership-grant-program/ https://www.childrenandnature.org/2020/06/12/its-time-to-act-introducing-the-youth-outdoor-equity-leadership-grant-program/#comments Fri, 12 Jun 2020 17:52:01 +0000 http://www.childrenandnature.org/?p=46949 Dear friends, The Children & Nature Network is listening, reflecting, and asking ourselves what new actions we can take to address the systems of injustice that exist within our organization, in communities where work, and across our movement. The impact of systemic racism shows up in who has regular access to the benefits of nature; in how parks and green spaces have been designed, distributed and programmed; and in policies that discourage use and create safety concerns for Black, Indigenous, Latinx and other People of Color. It shows up in the lack of diversity in the nature connection, environmental, and outdoor recreation fields. Our team is recommitting to dismantling the personal and organizational barriers that prevent our work from being truly equitable and inclusive. As a primarily white-led organization, we invite you to join us as we work harder to uncover and understand the systems and practices that contribute to predominantly white executive staff and board positions across our field– and a persistent lack of diversity both in outdoor participation and career opportunities. The resources included at the bottom of this email have influenced our thinking and action over the past week. We hope you find them valuable as well. Action. We know that young people […]]]> https://www.childrenandnature.org/2020/06/12/its-time-to-act-introducing-the-youth-outdoor-equity-leadership-grant-program/feed/ 2 https://www.childrenandnature.org/2020/04/21/the-natural-art-of-seeing/ https://www.childrenandnature.org/2020/04/21/the-natural-art-of-seeing/#comments Tue, 21 Apr 2020 14:20:55 +0000 http://www.childrenandnature.org/?p=46280 Recently, I asked folks to send stories about animals who had changed their lives. Artist Susan McDonnell sent me her story, told through a painting. As an explanation for the painting, here is what she wrote: “In the early 2000s, I lived in a house with a small garden pond. In the late Spring, a Red Darner dragonfly took up residency. I started taking photos at a distance and got closer and closer. Over time the dragonfly let me get within inches and then let me lightly touch its wings. This dragonfly showed up every morning around 10 and patrolled the pond until around 4 pm for about 4 months. We ‘visited’ every day and I spent a lot of time quietly observing and marveling at the dragonfly’s beauty. As you can see from the photo this dragonfly was a bit of a ham.” McDonnell was already an accomplished artist, but her moments with the dragonfly were transformative. “It was at this time my paintings became more focused and detail-oriented in subject and technique,” she wrote. “All that slowing down, observing and being completely delighted every time I went to the pond and saw the dragonfly had returned had a huge influence on my paintings from […]]]> https://www.childrenandnature.org/2020/04/21/the-natural-art-of-seeing/feed/ 3 https://www.childrenandnature.org/2020/03/24/little-adventures-big-connections-inspiring-kids-to-explore-nature-virtually/ https://www.childrenandnature.org/2020/03/24/little-adventures-big-connections-inspiring-kids-to-explore-nature-virtually/#comments Tue, 24 Mar 2020 23:02:15 +0000 http://www.childrenandnature.org/?p=46249 Three weeks ago, life as I knew it was pretty great: every week I got to bring nature connection games, stories and lots of love and silliness to over 400 kiddos in central Ohio. Inspired by Richard Louv, Jon Young, Dave Bauer and many more authors, I had worked my way up from being an assistant Pre-K Teacher in 2013 to being a full-time school naturalist in November of 2019, at Little Dreamers Big Believers and Balanced Family Academy. For 5 months I’ve been living my dream: the parents loved it, I felt fulfilled and the kids were having a blast… then Coronavirus happened.  Two weeks ago, as the global pandemic COVID-19 was getting bigger and bigger, it became clear this was going to disrupt life as I knew it. At first, I was saddened by the shutdowns… I wouldn’t get to see all my students. My thoughts quickly flipped to, “Hey, these kiddos aren’t going to get weekly nature class… for a while” and then “These kids’ entire lives are going to be really off-schedule and strange and their parents are going to be stressed.” The words of my hero, Mister Rogers, rang in my head: “Look for the […]]]> https://www.childrenandnature.org/2020/03/24/little-adventures-big-connections-inspiring-kids-to-explore-nature-virtually/feed/ 2 https://www.childrenandnature.org/2020/03/24/family-indoor-nature-bucket-list-keeping-nature-close-by/ https://www.childrenandnature.org/2020/03/24/family-indoor-nature-bucket-list-keeping-nature-close-by/#respond Tue, 24 Mar 2020 16:23:43 +0000 http://www.childrenandnature.org/?p=46236 During the COVID-19 crisis, if you’re experiencing cabin fever and your kids (and you) are climbing (or drawing on) the walls indoors, we’ve got a plan to keep you connected with nature! The mental, physical, social and emotional benefits of regular and meaningful opportunities to connect with nature are many and vital for the health of kids, families, people of all ages and our planet. But, during this time, we’re being asked to keep our physical distance from others and stay home except for accessing essential services, perhaps connecting with nature isn’t at the forefront of our minds. But nature is still open for business and a good bit of fresh air, nature time and outdoor fun can help keep you happy and healthy. Of course, if you can go outdoors and into nature, there are a few things you can do to help keep you, your family and others healthy and well: If you or your family are feeling unwell it’s best to stay home and seek medical advice Only go out with people in your household Keep to yourself and maintain appropriate distances in public areas Take your own food and water Be aware public toilet facilities may be […]]]> https://www.childrenandnature.org/2020/03/24/family-indoor-nature-bucket-list-keeping-nature-close-by/feed/ 0 https://www.childrenandnature.org/2020/03/20/national-parks-are-open-with-some-changes-amid-virus/ https://www.childrenandnature.org/2020/03/20/national-parks-are-open-with-some-changes-amid-virus/#comments Fri, 20 Mar 2020 14:50:44 +0000 http://www.childrenandnature.org/?p=46219 Interior Secretary David Bernhardt on Wednesday temporarily waived National Park Service entrance fees to make it easier for people to get outdoors and “implement some social distancing." The National Park Service says it's adhering to the latest guidelines from the White House and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, vowing to keep outdoor spaces open while giving park superintendents the power to close or modify operations. ]]> https://www.childrenandnature.org/2020/03/20/national-parks-are-open-with-some-changes-amid-virus/feed/ 1 https://www.childrenandnature.org/2020/03/20/coronavirus-concern-over-lack-of-social-distancing-during-outdoor-walks/ https://www.childrenandnature.org/2020/03/20/coronavirus-concern-over-lack-of-social-distancing-during-outdoor-walks/#comments Fri, 20 Mar 2020 14:45:48 +0000 http://www.childrenandnature.org/?p=46222 In Ireland, the National Parks and Wildlife Service has raised concerns that people out walking in parks and elsewhere outdoors are failing to maintain advised social distancing to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.The parks service called on “individuals to avoid congregating closely in large groups, even in these outdoor areas,” and to maintain 6.5 feet between each person in walking groups. ]]> https://www.childrenandnature.org/2020/03/20/coronavirus-concern-over-lack-of-social-distancing-during-outdoor-walks/feed/ 1 https://www.childrenandnature.org/2020/03/20/dutch-cities-giving-disabled-children-equal-access-to-outdoor-play/ https://www.childrenandnature.org/2020/03/20/dutch-cities-giving-disabled-children-equal-access-to-outdoor-play/#respond Fri, 20 Mar 2020 14:40:50 +0000 http://www.childrenandnature.org/?p=46225 Councilors in the Dutch city of Breda have launched a national campaign to give equal opportunities for outdoor play to children with disabilities. Breda is the latest Dutch city to raise the issue of an outdoor play provision for Dutch children. Over the next two years, the aim is to raise awareness of ‘play for everyone’ in the Netherlands, whether the child is able-bodied or disabled. ]]> https://www.childrenandnature.org/2020/03/20/dutch-cities-giving-disabled-children-equal-access-to-outdoor-play/feed/ 0 https://www.childrenandnature.org/2020/03/20/global-call-to-cut-urban-road-speed-limits/ https://www.childrenandnature.org/2020/03/20/global-call-to-cut-urban-road-speed-limits/#respond Fri, 20 Mar 2020 14:39:16 +0000 http://www.childrenandnature.org/?p=46227 The 3rd Global Ministerial Conference on Road Safety (Ministerial Conference) held in Stockholm, Sweden has called on countries to impose mandatory 20mph limits in urban areas to help cut deaths and injuries to pedestrians, including many children. Held in the final year of the Decade of Action for Road Safety 2011-2020, the conference brought government Ministers together to extend the 2020 target to reduce road deaths and serious injuries to 2030. The program has the support of dozens of countries worldwide. ]]> https://www.childrenandnature.org/2020/03/20/global-call-to-cut-urban-road-speed-limits/feed/ 0 https://www.childrenandnature.org/2020/03/18/nature-goes-on-rediscovering-the-rhythm-of-nature-in-a-crisis/ https://www.childrenandnature.org/2020/03/18/nature-goes-on-rediscovering-the-rhythm-of-nature-in-a-crisis/#comments Thu, 19 Mar 2020 00:32:06 +0000 http://www.childrenandnature.org/?p=46208 I was bent over the passenger-side front fender of a 2015 Subaru Sunday, trying to swap a burned-out headlight for a replacement that didn’t want to fit. That’s when I heard the distinctive sound. It’s like the call of a flock of geese, but with the reverb turned up. When we hear this raucous noise sweeping over the hills around us up at the Sandhill Llama Farm, we know the tundra swans are passing through. They didn’t call ahead to ask if Covid-19 would affect our ability to host them on their travels from their wintering grounds on the Atlantic coast and Chesapeake Bay to the arctic reaches of Canada where they spend the summer. Nature goes on. The huge but elegant white birds with the black eye patches make their way through the Fox Valley each spring before Easter. They gather by the hundreds – some years by the thousands – in the flooded cabbage fields along Hwy. 54 between Shiocton and Black Creek. You can go there to see them, but they have been practicing social distancing for centuries and won’t come much closer than the limit of a 300 mm lens. I paused to listen to the […]]]> https://www.childrenandnature.org/2020/03/18/nature-goes-on-rediscovering-the-rhythm-of-nature-in-a-crisis/feed/ 1 https://www.childrenandnature.org/2020/03/16/10-nature-activities-to-help-get-your-family-through-the-pandemic/ https://www.childrenandnature.org/2020/03/16/10-nature-activities-to-help-get-your-family-through-the-pandemic/#comments Mon, 16 Mar 2020 19:49:40 +0000 http://www.childrenandnature.org/?p=46161 If the coronavirus spreads at the rate that experts believe it will, schools, workplaces and businesses will continue to close. Here’s a thread of silver lining. We’ll have more time for each other and nature. And, at least so far, nature’s always open. Getting outside — but at a safe distance from other people — can be one way to boost your family’s resilience. If you spend too much time indoors, “your vitamin D level goes down,” advises John de Pluma, MD, a board-certified internist and proponent of food-based health practices and nature therapy. De Pluma points to research suggesting an association between visiting forests and improving immune responses. Keep in mind that the research he cites is specific to forests outside of cities. But an increasing body of scientific evidence does associate Vitamin N (for Nature) with reduced stress, better mental and physical health and greater cognitive functioning. Connecting with animals (wild and domestic) may also offset the downside of social distancing.  So, here’s a sampling of activities (borrowed from Vitamin N, Our Wild Calling, Last Child in the Woods and other sources) to help your family make the best of a tough situation. These activities all depend on availability of outdoor spaces, and […]]]> https://www.childrenandnature.org/2020/03/16/10-nature-activities-to-help-get-your-family-through-the-pandemic/feed/ 11