Children & Nature Network - February 09, 2010
The Children & Nature Network (C&NN) was created to encourage and support the people and organizations working worldwide to reconnect children with nature. C&NN provides access to the latest news and research in the field and a peer-to-peer network of researchers and individuals, educators and organizations dedicated to children's health and well-being.
Campaign/Initiative | Health | Legislation/Policy
Groups Ask First Lady to Include "Outdoor in Nature" Component
In the wake of First Lady Michelle Obama's announcement that she will be leading a special nationwide initiative to combat childhood obesity, a number of organizations have written her an open letter urging this initiative to include an “outdoors in nature” component. The National Wildlife Federation, the Sierra Club, and the Children & Nature Network are among the groups that signed the letter.
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Access | Legislation/Policy
Salazar Unveils New "Youth in the Great Outdoors" Initiative
Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar emphasized the importance of connecting young people with nature when he proposed significant expansion of the Youth in the Great Outdoors initiative. “The future of America’s treasured landscapes depends upon the next generation’s understanding of and connection to the great outdoors," said Salazar. As part of his FY 2011 budget proposal, Salazar is requesting large increases in education and recreation programs that engage youth of all ages. [+]
Health
EcoHearth: How to Enjoy Nature with Your Kids
Journalist Kim Ridley has compiled a list of tips to help families connect with nature. Her article also includes pointers to online resources such as the National Audubon Society's guide to creating a healthy yard for attracting wildlife. [+]
Built Environment
Benefits of "Park Prescriptions" Noted in Washington Post
Support within the medical community is growing for the the use of nature experiences as a healing aid. Physician Daphne Miller, writing in the Washington Post, notes that doctors around the country are medicating their patients with nature in order to prevent (or treat) health problems ranging from heart disease to attention deficit disorder. [+]
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Includes updated research, a progress report on the movement and an all new "Field Guide" with 100 practical actions we can take and 35 discussion points for book groups, classrooms, and communities.
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: