Research & Studies | Resource

New York Times – January 20, 2010

New Study Finds Kids Plugged-In 7.5 Hours a Day

By Tamar Lewin
The average young American now spends practically every waking minute—except for the time in school—using a smart phone, computer, television, or other electronic device, according to a new study from the Kaiser Family Foundation. The study also found a link between heavy media use and several negatives, including behavior problems and lower grades. [+]

• [>] Read the article.

Commentary | Review

Burlington Free Press – December 06, 2009

Vermont Filmmaker Explores Positive Influence of Nature

By Joel Banner Baird
Vermont filmmaker Camilla Rockwell’s new documentary explores how time spent in nature influences child health and development, and suggests ways that adults can revive young people's appetite for the outdoors. As Rockwell tells the Burlington Free Press, she was inspired to create the film after reading Richard Louv's Last Child in the Woods.

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• [>] Read the article.
• [>] Watch a trailer for the movie.

Commentary | National | Resource

Vancouver Sun – September 22, 2009

Ken Burns National Parks Documentary Series Premieres on PBS

By Alex Strachan
The National Park’s: America’s Best Idea, a six-night documentary series by acclaimed filmmaker Ken Burns, airs on PBS starting September 27. Burns hopes the series will encourage more city dwellers and rural residents alike to visit their national parks and to revisit that part of them that resides in nature. [+]

• [>] Read the article.

Allies | 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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• [>] Read the press release.
• [>] Visit the website.

Commentary | Education | Health

CBS News – August 06, 2009

CBS Puts Spotlight on Nature-Deficit Disorder

Watch CBS Videos Online


Jonathan Dorn, editor-in-chief of Backpacker magazine, made a recent appearance on The Early Show to discusses the best places in the country for raising an outdoor kid. In doing so, Dorn provided a succinct definition of nature-deficit disorder and offered advice on how city dwellers can help their children connect with nature. [+]

• [>] Watch the video.

International | Resource

Times of London – July 14, 2009

Louv Introduces British Readers to Children and Nature Movement

By Richard Louv

In a lengthy article for the Times of London, Richard Louv introduces readers of the paper, as well as those of its affiliates across the globe, to the children and nature movement and summarizes some of the recent efforts within the UK and elsewhere to raise awareness of nature-deficit disorder. These include the just-released survey of 3,000 British parents by the National Trust, last year’s Report to Natural England on Childhood and Nature, and a BBC Wildlife Magazine survey that found many children in the UK cannot identify common species like bluebells and frogs. Louv’s article coincides with the British publication of his Last Child in the Woods this month. [+]

• [>] Read the article.

National

Good Housekeeping – April 23, 2009

Good Housekeeping: How to Get Kids Outdoors

By Meagan Frances
The most recent issue of Good Housekeeping magazine offers parents helpful solutions for overcoming some of the most common barriers that keep children indoors. Among its recommendations: set clear limits so kids know what’s safe, challenge your children, and prioritize outdoor playtime. [+]

• [>] read the article

National | Leadership

C&NN’s Natural Leaders Coordinator, Juan Martinez, Introduces Salazar at PowerShift ‘09

THIS IS POWERSHIFT
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• [>] Power Shift '09

Commentary

The Canadian Press – December 09, 2008

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.” [+]

• [>] B stands for blog, not beaver by JOSH WINGROVE

International | Campaign/Initiative

Persil – July 18, 2008

Persil Promotes Free Play in UK Campaign

Persil, a well-known maker of laundry detergents in the UK, is touting the benefits of unstructured outdoor play in a new national campaign aimed at parents. The company surveyed mothers, a majority of whom agreed that society had lost sight of the importance of play in a child’s learning process. The “every child has the right” campaign includes a television commercial in which a robot becomes a boy when it ventures outdoors and a website with tips to help families make free play a priority once again. [+]

• [>] visit the Persil Web site

Allies | 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.

• [>] visit the BassPro Go Outdoors site

Commentary

QUEST series focuses on Nature Deficit Disorder

On May 12, San Francisco's KQED Public Television series QUEST aired this special report on why we need nature, and efforts to encourage children to play outdoors. [+]

• [>] KQED series QUEST