City and community leaders have an opportunity to create citywide change for children to access nature everywhere they live, learn, and play. Communities successful in advancing equitable access to nature for children possess strong cross-sector teams and adopt a systems level approach. The “Designing Community Strategies and Building Cross-Sector Teams” session features communities successful in […]
Summer may be over but that doesn’t mean that nature needs to stay outdoors as kids head back to school. In this event José G. González, Cathy Jordan, Ph.D. and Sheila Williams Ridge, Ed.D. will discuss how nature impacts mental health, social emotional learning and cognitive function in support of academic outcomes. Examples of how […]
The new year is coming and it’s a great time to think about what 2024 might hold for the children and nature movement. On November 29, we heard from Children & Nature Network board members and cross-sector experts who discussed trends and approaches to health and well-being that might influence, impact or present opportunities for […]
It's never too early to introduce children to the outdoors. The benefits of nature engagement for young children (ages 0 - 5) relate to all areas of growth and development including physical, mental, social-emotional and cognitive. And these benefits apply to all children, including children with adverse childhood experiences and children with differing abilities. Parents, […]
Gardening not only connects children to nature, it engages all five senses, encourages healthy eating, develops math and science skills, teaches patience and responsibility, creates environmental stewards and is a great way for families to spend time together! During this event Kashon DuBose, Founder and Executive Director of Cultivators and Sonya Harris, Master Gardener and […]
School, work and busy schedules can make it hard to find time for nature. The Vitamin N Challenge can help. Inspired by Richard Louv’s book, “Vitamin N: The Essential Guide to a Nature-Rich Life” you can design a challenge that fits your lifestyle and schedule. Need some inspiration? During this event Ana Carol Thomé, Founder […]
National League of Cities and Children & Nature Network will take an in-depth look at the new report “How Green Schoolyards Create Economic Value.” The conversation, moderated by NLC’s Dr. […]
The Youth Outdoor Policy Partnership is a collaboration of leading national organizations working across sectors to ensure that all children have access to high-quality outdoor experiences and environmental education. Every […]
Keeping a nature journal is a learnable skill that can change our lives forever, opening doors to mindful attention, curiosity, wonder, beauty, connection, peace, and joy. –John Muir Laws Orange […]
On average, U.S. teens spend 4.8 hours a day on social media. That’s 4.8 hours that could be spent on other experiences, like in-person interactions, time in nature and much-needed […]
Though our experiences in nature may be different, our shared history includes the stories and roles of Indigenous, Black and other people of the global majority. By centering these stories […]
Nature-based early care and education is gaining momentum across the country, and for good reason. From supporting children’s healthy development to strengthening climate resilience and community well-being, nature-filled learning environments […]