LAST CHILD IN THE WOODS OF PANDORA
An open letter to James Cameron
Dear Mr. Cameron,
A few weeks ago, I read a terrific quote from you that ran in at least two newspapers, the Philippine Daily Inquirer and The Hindu.
” What is ‘Avatar’ saying,” the interviewer asked you.
You answered: ” It asks questions about our relationship with each other, from culture to culture, and our relationship with the natural world at a time of nature-deficit disorder.”
A billion or so dollars later, ” Avatar” is the king of the film world. Not everyone likes its political message. But from Connecticut to Kansas to California, and probably around the world, people are starved for the movie’s larger message: humans pay an awful price and take a terrible toll when they lose touch with the natural world.
Within recent decades, a generation of children has disconnected from nature. The widening gap threatens health and spirit. And if the trend continues, who will be the true stewards of the Earth?
I suspect you know quite a bit about this issue. Perhaps you’re looking for ways to heal the broken bond.
In recent years, a new movement has emerged.
Building on the great work of environmental educators, conservationists, camp directors and others, the leaders of this movement range from policymakers to health care professionals, from builders to urban planners; from educators to business people, from parents to the young – conservatives, liberals, the political and apolitical. The issue transcends barriers. Under the current and past president, two Secretaries of the Interior – a Republican and a Democrat – have committed to connecting children to nature. This year, the makers of Sesame Street are sending a new message about nature. Many religious communities have signed on, too.
In a remarkably short time, a network of thousands of grassroots leaders have taken this cause into their own hands. The Children & Nature Network now tracks over 65 regional and state campaigns across North America, and more are on the way. Parents are creating ” family nature clubs” which could spread across our communities as book clubs and neighborhood watch groups did in previous decades.
Good ideas are gaining traction, such as a national Natural Teachers Network to support the art teachers and English teachers and all the others who insist on getting their students outside; a Nature Rocks social marketing campaign; a Natural Leaders Network, to galvanize young people in inner cities and outer exurbs to become the most effective leaders for the cause; urban dwellers using neighborhood land trusts to create their own ” button parks” ; along with innovative efforts by the Sierra Club, Audubon, National Wildlife Federation, ecoAmerica, Lindblad Expeditions, the American Camp Association, REI and The North Face, and many other organizations.
But we’re not there yet.
There’s some evidence that the movement is having an impact on people’s everyday lives. Recent news reports suggest a growing number of families are beginning to venture out of their homes, rediscovering the wonder of nature. Such stories often attribute this to the Great Recession and the reemergence of older, less costly values. There’s probably truth to that, but we also believe that the movement – those thousands of people who have been working tirelessly to connect children to nature – is also making a difference.
We do not know how deep this renewal is or if it will last past the next economic bubble. But we do know that the forces of history are formidable.
As the world urbanizes, what one pundit has called ” the pandemic of nature-deficit disorder” will become a threat to human health. In 1800, three percent of the world’s population lived in cities, today, more than half of the planet’s 6.8 billion people are urban-dwellers. The trend shows no sign of slowing. This is not to say that urban life is, by itself, intrinsically bad for human health and 
spirit, but rather the kind of urban life many of us are living. We can change this.
Every child deserves to directly experience the gifts of nature – yet so many, especially those living in dense inner cities, have yet to see the stars. Literally.
Will we be the last generation to remember a time when it was considered normal and expected for child to go out in the woods and wonder? If we take that memory with us when we leave this earth, what will that say about our generation?
Or, we could be the generation that chooses to turn the tide.
So we’d like you – along with many others – to consider bringing your gifts and talent to this movement. I have a hunch you’ll give us a call.
Stranger things have happened, on Earth and on Pandora.
______________
The truth is that without our Mother Earth being healthy we will never be healthy and She will always find a way to bring back that balance, only those who are still tied to the land no this!!!!
Hello Richard,
“Nurturing Childhood Nature Needs Through Literature in the Classroom.” This is the name of my recently completed thesis project for a Masters degree in Human Development. Your book was an invaluable resource for my research and I owe you my utmost gratitude.
This is my 11th year of teaching in the primary grades and I am very eager to
put my thesis to work, but the public school system in Glendale, California is extremely limiting and requires the utmost creativity.
Is there a resource that displays all children-and-nature related news and activities in the Los Angeles area?
In appreciation,
-Liz Jasper
Liz, I don’t know one that is specific to LA, but this site (www.childrenandnature.org) offers a map showing events and campaigns around the country. You can click on the map to see what’s available in LA. This map by no means covers everything, though. But we do offer the news on the movement, along with abstracts of current research. You might want to do a search for “Los Angeles.” Also, you might like to sign up to receive news of C&NN’s Natural Teachers Network, something you might want to join. Finally, there’s Nature Rocks (naturerocks.org) which has a finder mechanism for nearby nature — and of course there are many other organizations, such as Audubon and National Wildlife Federation, that offer teaching materials and other information. Thanks!
Liz,
I lead school children on hikes, camping trips, etc. in the Los Angeles area through the Sierra Club’s Inner City Outings Program. I’d be happy to talk to you further about our program (which is run at no cost to the schools or the students) and/or about other resources of which I’m aware in the LA area.
Melody Anderson
Hello I am wondering what resources Canadians have? Do you know if things that are happening around you are happening here? If so could you direct me to some resources? Any help would be much appreciated!
Thanks!
Richard, we have not yet has the chance to meet, although I’m sure we will and I am very much looking forward to it! My upcoming book, 365 Days Outside: A Mother’s Journey to Improve the Well-being of her Family, speaks to my role as a mom in getting my kids outside every day. My video series, Get Out of the House, shows families how easy and rewarding it can be. http://www.rebeccaplants.com/getout.aap
Sitting with my family in the theatre, the underlying theme of connectedness of people to each other and the earth kept me engaged in the story of Avatar, and I’m so glad that theme and the issues we face today are being discussed. Thank you for your work, and thank you for this letter.
Brilliant letter- I believe we can be the generation that chooses to turn the tide. Thanks to you, your organization & the network of families & individuals working hard to make that change.
You are such an inspiration.
Marghanita
Very nice post Rich – Here’s hoping he get involved!
Rose, regarding Canada, here’s a site that should be helpful: http://www.childnature.ca/
Tracy Kane, author and illustrator of The Fairy Houses Series, was invited to share her books at a school wide Fairy Houses Building workshop, at the elementary school where I work.
Boys and girls in 1st – 4th grade thoroughly enjoyed building fairy houses out of natural materials. The benefits were many-experiencing nature up close, collaborating with partners over design and materials being used, implementing construction skills, exercising imagination and creativity, learning respect for the environment and experiencing feelings of pride and accomplishment.
Teachers enjoyed the ease of adapting the activity to boys and girls of varying ages and abilities, plus creative ways to integrate fairy houses into lessons in Language Arts, Creative Arts and Environmental awareness.
Tracy is an advocate of the nationally recognized ‘No Child Left Inside’ Act of 2008- its initiative is to get kids outside, reconnecting with nature. Her series and events, offer a remedy for “Nature Deficit Disorder? by inspiring kids to turn off the TV, computer and video games to discover the beauty and enchantment of our natural world.
Here is a link to more information on how this fun, cost free activity connects kids with nature, as well as tips for building fairy houses!
http://www.fairyhouses.com/ndd.html
Hello Richard,
I am currently pursuing my thesis project on “nature education and naturalistic intelligence” for my masters degree in human development.
Could you suggest some sites to refer for my thesis as I am going to prepare a module for teachers to implement in preschools in India.
@ Liz: may I get your Email id as I am really interested in your thesis project and it may help me in ROL.
Thank you,
Regards,
Bhairavi
Having been in the California public school system form k-12 I can say that “National Natural Teachers Network to support the art teachers and English teachers and all the others who insist on getting their students outside” has to be one of the most promising programs I have heard of. I can say without hesitation that high school was a creativity killer for me, because of the textbook orientated teaching styles of 99% of the teachers I had. If more teachers had taken the time to create a more active and intriguing curriculum the dropout rate would be far less then what it is. For that other 1% of teachers that did take the time to develop a more effective teaching method I remember to this day the little things that they did that kept me wanting to come back to class. For example, my biology teacher took the class on a field trip to a local creek to collect local plants. While we where out exploring our surrounding other classes where inside watching a video about plants, and half of the students in those classes where sleeping.
It’s the little things that you can change that will make a huge impact and that’s why I fully support those teachers out tin the world working to make our public school systems better.
We just finished reading your book “Last Child in the Woods” for my English class. Reading your book made me think and realize why my son is so different from when I grew up. Prior to migrating to American in 1973, I lived my first 10 years in India. My friends and I spend all day outdoors playing, swimming in the ponds, building kites, fishing, building toy clay cars, just exploring everything in sight. Comparing that with my son of 13 yrs now, it’s literally day and night. How times have changed in just last 30 years is alarming. Kids have no free space to play, to discover their abilities, to let their imagine run wild, and to connect with nature. Not only are the children stresses out and emotionally unstable, the adults are also caught up in a rat race of everyday careers and want everything mentality.
I’ve always been a naturalist and do my best to take care of nature and the environment and I have taught the same to my children. But as a society we’re not learning anything from our mistakes and even portray our own lack of understanding. The comment about “avatar” is so true. We make great movies to deliver a message and to enlighten ourselves, but yet nobody takes any positive action. Now just look at the big BP oils spill; we want so much and we destroy so much in the process. When will humans learn? After reading your book, it does give me some hope that the word is getting around and people are taking action to protect nature and to reconnect our children and ourselves back with nature. Please continue your work as it opens the eyes of disbelievers and provides a ray of sunshine for the existence of all gods’ creations.
The Letter Mr. Louv, that you addressed to Mr. James Cameron, is one that is both encouraging and supportive of the movement to a change for the future of children and nature. I would have to comment on the reply you referred to, that was by Mr. Cameron. It is the one about the changing social culture, and how it is damaging to the world at this current time. I agree with you one how, you commented that we are losing touch with reality, when we separate our selves from nature. I have read your book, and have even asked myself who would be the future “stewards” of the world? It is also good to hear that the new movement is making progress, just the thought of it is more reassuring to me that maybe things aren’t so bad, or is going to get better soon. With so much response from the government, and the initiative of children’s television programs, the message has the chance soon to become world wide. Even more excited, to hear that so many leaders have taken on the issue to be an important one. You also did mention the organizations, that have already formed, and in process of their movements. It is just so amazing how many people got involved, and what type of activities were the bases of the change for the better. Surely enough, you did remind Mr. Cameron of the disaster that we are facing right now, and how it is harmful to health. Definitely, it was worth a try to get another leader involved with making a difference.
Hello Richard,
I just wanted to say that ever since I picked up your book, Last Child in the Woods: Saving our Children from Nature-Deficit Disorder I have been amazed by how little contact with nature everyone has. I used to play outside all the time and now that I’ve grown up a little, it seems like all my time is spent indoors as well as everyone I know. I just wanted to let you know that your book changed that. I go outside and explore everyday and I try to inspire my family and friends to do the same. You have inspired me to fight for nature and fight for the connection children are supposed to have with nature and I just wanted to say thank you.
Hi Richard,
When you point out the main message of Avatar, “humans pay an awful price and take a terrible toll when they lose touch with the natural world,” I believe people are remaining oblivious to nature’s benefits. The supporters you found may help but I feel like others won’t pay attention to that message. Much of the world can be very negative. But, I am a supporter of closing the gap between children and nature. I benefited from my parents introducing nature to me early. It helped me build a strong relationship with my family and my friends. Some other people I knew in high school stayed indoors a lot playing video games. They’re missing out in a whole other world. Just think, if those kids actually played outdoors more, I think they would be more social. I hope more people can be more positive and support going outside more.
Hi Richard,
Right now more and more people realized that modern lives are disconnecting with nature and nature is important, and as the same time, they also know that disconnection with nature can cause many problems in physics and . In the movie “Avatar,” people are suffering from the lives without nature. When I watched the movie, I thought not only the disconnection with nature but also what I can do for protecting our earth.