Learning in the Natural Environment
What is new in Outdoor Education?
Everything you need to know about the latest developments in nature pedagogy and allied disciplines
Summer School 2022 report We are delighted to publish a full report of the amazing 2022 Summer School run in partnership with the V&A Museum. In September 2022, the third annual Sylva Wood Summer School took place in collaboration with the V&A Museum, and specifically the Make Good: Rethinking Material Futures programme to create ‘Field …. Read More
Join us as we open the Sylva Wood Centre again to visitors on May 7/8 and 13/14 during Oxfordshire Artweeks. Artweeks at the Sylva Wood Centre The Sylva Wood Centre will be taking part in Oxford Artweeks this year! May 7th, 8th, 13th and 14th. Open 10am-5pm. With open workshops on both Artweeks weekends, take …. Read More
We are seeking an exceptional forester or land manager to join our dynamic team Salary range: £27,000-32,000 Position: Permanent, Full-time Location: Sylva office / home working providing woodland advice Sylva is known for its highly innovative approaches to supporting sustainable forest management across Britain. The myForest platform is one of our flagship projects, used …. Read More
The Old Pigsty is a commercial unit available to rent from Sylva Foundation by a suitable business concerned with designing or making with wood. The unit lies slightly separate from other buildings and units at the Sylva Wood Centre, providing ample space and privacy with views across the countryside, while remaining within close proximity of …. Read More
The myForest team regularly provides support and advice to woodland groups across Britain. Last week, George Dennison (myForest Manager) and Paul Orsi (Director of Operations) hosted a webinar for members of the Community Woodlands Association looking at how they could use myForest to support their woodland management activities. The Community Woodlands Association was established in …. Read More
In September we hosted our third annual summer school. This year we collaborated with the V&A museum and specifically the Make Good: Rethinking Material Futures to create ‘Field Notes’. The work of the 12 practitioners taking part in the summer school is now on display in the V&A’s Susan R Weber Furniture Gallery. in May …. Read More
We’re pleased to published our Impact Report for 2022. The theme this year is ‘collaboration’. Through our many collaborations we can illustrate the diversity of our work, and just as importantly, shine a spotlight on our partners, and the impact we are making together. Collaboration is one of our core values: To work extensively and …. Read More
Landowners and managers across England are invited to apply for an innovative package of fully-funded advice, providing vital information to support them in taking the next steps in managing existing woodland and/or creating new wooded areas. The fully-funded advice is being delivered under the PIES (Protect Improve Expand Sustain) project. It is run by a …. Read More
Paradise Wood in south Oxfordshire was planted by Earth Trust in the 1990s, as a research centre for hardwood tree and is a unique resource for learning and advocacy. Thanks to funding from Vastern Timber, Sylva Foundation and Earth Trust will be working together on a new mapping project, using Sylva’s myForest platform to develop …. Read More
On 14th September, several hundred people gathered in Oxford to celebrate the extraordinary life of Sir Martin Wood (1927-2021). Martin co-founded Sylva Foundation with Gabriel Hemery in 2009, and later, with his wife Audrey, became a Patron of the charity. A celebration of Martin Woods’ life – the event held in Oxford on 14th September …. Read More
Sylva Foundation Trustees’ Report and Annual Accounts 2021-22 The trustees of Sylva Foundation are pleased to release the formal report from the board for 2021-22 and the independent accounts produced by our financial auditors. Read more and download. 2021-22 at a glance continued to support Defra under the Resilient Treescapes Project Supported the Future Oak …. Read More
Sylva Foundation has teamed up with the National Trust to turn trees lost to Ash dieback into a range of hand-crafted stools. The ash stools made at the Sylva Wood School in collaboration with the National Trust ©National Trust Images/Arnhel de Serra Ash dieback is a widespread fungal disease that has had a dramatic impact …. Read More
Forestry, conservation and government organisations have come together to reaffirm their commitment to work together to promote the importance of adapting trees, woods and forests to climate change. The Forestry and Climate Change Partnership (FCCP) has published the Forestry and Climate Change Adaptation Accord which sets out a collective vision that Britain’s trees woods …. Read More
Sylva Foundation’s views on sourcing and using home-grown wood products. Using more wood products sourced from UK forests will stimulate our economy while improving the environmental condition of more woodlands, reducing wood-miles (carbon footprint of importing timber), and help reconnect people with the benefits of a working countryside. Sylva Foundation has set out its views …. Read More
The V&A and Sylva Foundation are hosting a summer school and inviting creative practitioners to take part. The Field Notes project will provide a unique opportunity for those with an interest in wood as a material, and in forests and woodlands as a place for learning and growing. . For Sylva Foundation, the collaboration is …. Read More
An innovative new project known as PIES, standing for protect, improve, expand, and sustain, has been launched to help with the creation and management of woodlands across England. PIES project. Image (c)GabrielHemery The project is funded by the Trees Call to Action Fund. The fund was developed by Defra in partnership with the Forestry Commission …. Read More
We are delighted to welcome Phillip Gullam as our new Wood School Assistant. Phillip Gullam – Wood School Assistant Phil previously taught at Rycotewood for a number of years, teaching various furniture-making courses. He brings to the role a breadth of experience gained over the years. Phil has been involved in the teaching and assessing …. Read More
Artweeks 2022 at the Sylva Wood Centre We are delighted to open the Sylva Wood Centre to visitors once more during Oxfordshire Artweeks. We are open for 14/15 May from 10am-5pm. Come and see the craftspeople at work in our Wood Centre and learn about their businesses; visit the Wood School to find out about …. Read More
Wood School Assistant [job title pending] Sylva Wood School Sylva Foundation is looking to recruit an exceptional individual to join its Wood School team based at the Sylva Wood Centre. Since launching the Wood School in 2019, it has gone from strength to strength. The Wood School plays a central role in Sylva’s mission; nurturing …. Read More
A joint statement by sister charities: Earth Trust, The Oxford Trust, and Sylva Foundation It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Sir Martin Wood (1927-2021). Sir Martin Wood FRS in 2012 Sir Martin and Lady Wood together founded our three sister charities. Each of us has a distinctive vocation, voice and …. Read More
If you own an area of woodland in the south-east region of England, you could benefit from free one-to-one professional forestry advice. woodland advice Landowners are increasingly aware of the threats from climate change, pests and diseases, but are also aware of opportunities to provide services from woodlands they manage, such as carbon sequestration and …. Read More
We are very excited to launch the new Sylva Friends scheme. Join the Sylva Friends The Sylva Friends scheme is for anyone who shares our vision for a society that cares for nature while living in harmony with it. We hope you may be interested in becoming a Sylva Friend because you love what we …. Read More
After selling out early in 2021, we are delighted to announce that The New Sylva is back in print in a new format, with signed copies available in our online shop. The book was co-authored by our CEO Gabriel Hemery as a way of promoting the Sylva Foundation and raising funds towards our activities. The …. Read More
In September, Sylva Foundation hosted a Summer School for young creative people to promote design and craft using home-grown timber. The inspiring report from the workshop is published today to coincide with Grown in Britain week. Sylva Foundation cares passionately about trees and people, and at its Wood School in south Oxfordshire it has set …. Read More
We are delighted to publish our first ever Impact Report, highlighting our achievements and impacts during the last year. The report came about thanks to the support of an amazing volunteer, Shems Hadj-Nassar, who brought her communications expertise to bear in supporting our team in writing and designing the report. This perfectly illustrates how Sylva …. Read More
We have published our Trustee’s Report and Independent Accounts for the year 2020-21. The trustees of Sylva Foundation are pleased to release the formal report from the board for 2020-21 and the independent accounts produced by our financial auditors. Click to download in full, or read the summary below. 2020-21 at a glance: download Sylva’s …. Read More
Could you help support a young craftsperson by making a donation to our new Sylva Wood School Fellowship Fund? We are pleased to launch a new campaign aiming to establish a fund to support young craftspeople who graduate from our Professional Making Course. The Sylva Wood School Fellowship Fund will allow us to appoint Fellows, …. Read More
Forest managers and others with an interest in trees are invited to share their knowledge and expertise with a team of researchers who are aiming to discover how declining health is affecting trees across the UK, and to understand views on possible new treatments. Future Oak project The survey is part of the Future Oak …. Read More
We are pleased to be opening up the Sylva Wood Centre again to the public for Artweeks 2021. We are open for two weekends: 15/16 and 22/23 May from 10am-5pm. In a change from previous years, we are providing more open workshops that visitors can enjoy seeing the craftspeople at work and talk to them …. Read More
We are delighted to welcome Dr Mary Barkham as a trustee of the Sylva Foundation. Mary was appointed as a trustee at a board meeting held on 19th March 2021. Dr Mary Barkham Sylva trustee Mary has had a career spanning both the public and private sector. She has a degree in horticultural science and …. Read More
The FUTURE OAK project, comprising scientists at Bangor University, Aberystwyth University, Forest Research and Sylva Foundation, will study how oak microbiomes are affected by environmental change and disease. Visit the Future Oak website The UK is home to around 170 million oak trees, and more ancient oak trees than the rest of Europe combined. Native …. Read More
If you manage trees in England, whether in an urban or rural setting and at any scale, from large woodlands through to individual trees, we want to hear your views on a range of potential tree health policies and interventions. This is a chance for you to help shape future support from government. The results …. Read More
In 2020, CEO Dr Gabriel Hemery was jointly awarded, with Professor Julian Evans, the Peter Savill Award for contributions to the British forestry industry. Peter’s widow Michelle Savill recently visited the Sylva Wood Centre to hand over the beautiful prize, turned from a piece of walnut burr. The great silviculturist Dr Peter Savill served as …. Read More
We are delighted to welcome Jim Waterson MICFor MRICS as a trustee of the Sylva Foundation. Jim was appointed as a trustee at a board meeting held on 25th November 2020. Talking about his appointment, Jim Waterson commented: “I have the strong conviction that resilient trees, woods and forests are more important than ever at …. Read More
We have published our Trustee’s Report and Independent Accounts for the year 2019-20. 2019-20 at a glance: deeply saddened by the death of one our founding trustees, Dr Peter Savill appointed two new trustees, including our new Chair of Trustees, Sarah Taylor supported a high-profile research paper on ash dieback, based on the work of …. Read More
An independent report released today highlights that those who care for woodlands and forests across Britain are increasingly aware of the threats from environmental change, especially drought, wildfires, and pathogens, such as ash dieback and acute oak decline, yet there’s little evidence of action being taken overall to improve woodland resilience. BWS2020 report The 2020 …. Read More
Recently, Sylva Foundation CEO Dr Gabriel Hemery was interviewed by Tom Barnes, Director of Vastern Timber, about Wood Culture. They discussed public perspectives of forestry and the need to recreate an affinity between society and the natural world. With thanks to Vastern Timber. Facebook Twitter LinkedIn
We’re delighted to welcome George Dennison to Sylva as a new member of staff taking up the new role of Forester. Thanks to grant funding provided by the John Ellerman Foundation the new position of Forester at Sylva will mean we have more capacity to work with landowners, forestry professionals, and partners to support sustainable …. Read More
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 …. Read More
We’re delighted to announce the development of a major new project. Working in partnership with the Forestry Commission and the Woodland Trust, the Sylva Foundation is delivering a Woodland Creation Test and Trial to support the development of Defra’s Environmental Land Management (ELM) scheme. Woodland Creation project Sylva Foundation is well-known for its innovative land-management …. Read More
We are looking for an exceptional and early-career Forester Job advert We are looking for a Forester to join our dynamic small team. The important role will focus on improving the support we provide to users of our services, including working on new developments, improving communication with users, and providing training. The successful applicant is …. Read More
The British Woodlands Survey 2020 (BWS2020) has been launched and remains open until the end of June. In this new survey, researchers want to understand awareness, action and aspiration among Britain’s forestry community to environmental change. BWS2020 comes five years after the ground-breaking British Woodlands Survey of 2015 which explored the same themes, and this …. Read More
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 …. Read More
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 …. Read More
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 …. Read More
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 …. Read More
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 …. Read More
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 …. Read More
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 …. Read More
Sylva Foundation is seeking a suitably qualified supplier to supply, deliver and install/commission industrial woodworking machinery. We are pleased to offer this as an open process for suitable suppliers to tender proposals. Deadline for submissions is 12 noon on 3rd April. Specification summary: Surface Planer, with Spiral/Tersa Block minimum 500mm wide.Minimum 7 KW motor Thickness …. Read More
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 …. Read More
If the coronavirus spreads at the rate that some experts believe it will, schools and workplaces will continue to close. Here’s one thread of silver lining. We’ll have more time for each other, and for nature. “Do not stay inside all the time: your vitamin D level goes down,” advises John de Pluma, MD, a …. Read More
A team of researchers from the National University of Singapore (NUS) used social media and artificial intelligence (AI) to look at the connection between nature experiences and happiness. The team analyzed over 31,500 photographs across 185 countries on social media with the help of an automated image recognition technology, finding global evidence of the biophilia …. Read More
As the income gap becomes more pronounced in US cities, the number of school-age children is dropping as families move out to the suburbs. In 2018 about 12 percent of children aged 17 and under lived in the principal city of a metropolitan area, down from 14.6 percent in 2010. In addition, data from the …. Read More
Outdoor or nature-based preschools have expanded dramatically in recent years, from just a handful of programs a decade ago to more than 400 across the US today. Now, as outdoor preschools look for a way to expand, the schools and their supporters are pushing states to consider licensing programs, even in places where children can encounter wild animals …. Read More
Despite the wet winter we’ve been busy at the Sylva Wood Centre completing the renovation of our old Grain Store. We’ve just completed this timelapse film, taken over several months, which finishes with the fitting of innovative thermally-modified hardwood products, including cladding, windows, and a door. The Brimstone products were provided by Vastern Timber, in …. Read More
New research from the European Centre for Environmental and Human Health at the University of Exeter shows that people who spend time in nature are more likely to engage in environmentally friendly behaviors. Using data from more than 24,000 English adults, the researchers found that exposure to nature, including strolling through a city park, makes people …. Read More
A recent study from Canadian researchers found that adolescents consider being outdoors less important than access to screens. The study, which was published in the Canadian Journal of Public Health, also found that the addictive nature of screen time was a barrier to connecting with nature for this group.
New research led by University of Washington researchers found that experiencing wilderness is important for our physical and mental health. The study, based in Discovery Park in Seattle, reports that exposure to wilderness is especially important in urban landscapes, even compared to other types of natural areas. The research was prompted by the park’s advisory …. Read More
Kids are naturally drawn to the outdoors. This fascination provides parents and educators with teaching opportunities to help children care for nature. According to the latest research, spending more time outside promotes more sustainable and environmentally-friendly behavior in children. So the more connected to nature a child is, the more likely they are to take environmentally conscious actions— and the …. Read More
Matthew, my youngest son, once asked me if a connection to a higher power is, in fact, an underutilized sense—one that some people find activated in nature. This is the same son who, when he was five, asked, “Are God and Mother Nature married, or just good friends?” Great questions. Most religious traditions, especially in …. Read More
According to a research team in Mexico, children who grow up feeling close to nature are happier and more likely to become eco-friendly, compared to those who suffer from nature deficit disorder. The researchers surveyed nearly 300 children to find a link between ecological and sustainable awareness and feelings of happiness. The study is the …. Read More
The New York State Senate passed the Outdoor Rx Act which will lower barriers for veterans to access New York State’s scenic and restorative outdoor spaces. More than 800,000 veterans live in New York State, but numerous barriers often prevent them from exercising their human right to access nature.
New research from an interdisciplinary Cornell team has found that as little as 10 minutes in a natural setting can help college students feel happier and lessen the effects of both physical and mental stress. The research, published in Frontiers in Psychology, is part of a larger examination of the therapeutic benefits of nature for college …. Read More
No single country is adequately protecting children’s health, their environment and their futures, says a major new report by over 40 child and adolescent health experts from around the world. The report references UNICEF’s work in child-friendly cities, with an emphasis on walkability, outdoor play, and green space in cities for the benefit of children.
Researchers from the University of South Australia found that nature play positively impacts the health and development of children ages two to 12. The study, published in the journal PLOS One, found that nature play improved children’s levels of physical activity, health-related fitness, motor skills, learning, and social and emotional development. It also showed that …. Read More
The findings of a study of indigenous people in southern Chile challenge Western assumptions about the value of spending time outdoors to help children regulate their emotions. The study surveyed 271 parents and teachers in southern Chile, approximately half of which were Mapuche, an indigenous people of the region. Researchers found that the Mapuche parents believe …. Read More
In Baltimore, local councilor Ryan Dorsey seeks to change a law that bans children from playing outdoors in the city. Dorsey aims to repeal a key element of the city code which makes it unlawful for any person to ‘play ball, fly a kite or throw a stone or other object or missile while in …. Read More
Let me paint the scene. School’s out! The final bell has rung and kids are flying out of every door at Merriman Elementary School in Romulus, Michigan, rushing home to start their summer adventures. Days prior, my classmates gushed about the vacations their families would be taking and the things they were going to do …. Read More
A new study suggests that physically and psychologically reconnecting with nature can be beneficial for human health and wellbeing, while at the same time encouraging individuals to act in ways that protect the health of the planet. Conducted by researchers at the University of Plymouth, Natural England, the University of Exeter and University of Derby, …. Read More
The Real Play Coalition, a global play rights alliance founded by National Geographic, The Lego Foundation and IKEA, says society has an obligation to reclaim play in cities because of the critical role of play in child development and learning. The coalition published this conclusion is a new report, “Reclaiming Play in Cities – The Real …. Read More
The city of Boston will invest $28 million in improving the 500-acre urban park, Franklin Park, and is looking for city residents for guidance on aspects such as inclusivity and access. The park is the city’s largest outdoor space and is located in a racially diverse area of the city. The planning process for the …. Read More
A new report from the City Parks Alliance showcases seven US cities that are leading the way in using their budgets to fund parks more equitably. As residents with lower incomes are less likely to find green space nearby in their neighborhoods in several major U.S. metro areas, the report gives recommendations for using parks funding allocations …. Read More
The city of Atlanta has taken a step closer to its commitment to providing all residents with green and equitable space with the recent acquisition of nearly 13 acres of green space intended to become a new park. Officials say it’s one of the largest acquisitions of green space ever in Southwest Atlanta. While Atlanta …. Read More
The Association of Play Industries (API) has launched a new initiative aimed at getting children outdoors, using playgrounds over the winter. With the vast majority of families living in urban areas, community playgrounds are often their only chance to get children playing outdoors, however, the winter months present even more challenges. The new initiative builds …. Read More
People in the US are spending less time outdoors, according to a new 2019 Outdoor Foundation study, with children participating in 15 percent fewer outdoor activities in 2018 than they did six years before. The study found that nearly half of the U.S. population does not participate in any outdoor recreation, with only 17.9 percent heading …. Read More
Two million trees may be planted in UK cities and towns under a new development and planning framework that calls for a ‘fast track for beauty.’ An independent commission set up to advise the UK government on how to promote and increase the use of high-quality design for new homes and neighborhoods made the recommendation …. Read More
A research team recently looked at the needs of apartment-dwelling families in Australia, finding that such families have an even greater need for local nature due to limited and confining space within apartment complexes. The researchers point out that, as the number of families living in apartments continues to increase, apartment housing is not meeting …. Read More
Each summer 4,500 kids from the south metro area of the Twin Cities head outdoors. Coming from under-resourced communities, these children and youth will be connecting to nature through the outdoor programming efforts of the YMCA of the Greater Twin Cities. Many of these campers will be connecting to nature for the first time. As …. Read More
A new draft report from the Oregon Governor’s Task Force on the Outdoors recommends efforts to reach out to minority groups about outdoor recreation and make state parks more accessible to people with disabilities. To encourage more diversity, the report proposes minority communities should have a hand in land management planning as well as hiring …. Read More
Over the last five years, Utah’s Outdoor Recreation Grant program has invested approximately $10 million into 155 projects across the state, dedicating even more resources toward the program. Created to help communities around the state fund outdoor recreation infrastructure to help drive tourism, the program has funded the construction of new hiking and mountain biking …. Read More
A massive decline in mainly urban playgrounds across the UK has urged the the Association of Play Industries (API) to warn the country’s political leaders that they must take measures to reverse with the ‘inactivity crisis’ among children. API representatives say the massive decline in public playgrounds is a public health issue and that, unless …. Read More
Thirty years ago, I was a newly hired faculty member in the Department of Special Education at Bowling Green State University in Ohio. Many of my graduate students were working as teachers in classrooms with young children with disabilities. Teaching strategies, at the time, were based in part on behavior modification principles. This approach uses …. Read More
More than 160,000 people could die over the next decade from strokes and heart attacks caused by air pollution warns the British Heart Foundation (BHF). While there are an estimated 11,000 deaths per year at the moment, BHF cautions that this number will rise as the population continues to age and wants the UK to …. Read More
A study published in the journal Climate examines the link between historical housing policies to exposure to current deadly heatwaves. The study finds that deadly urban heatwaves disproportionately affect underserved neighborhoods because of the legacy of racist housing policies that have denied African Americans homeownership and basic public services. Each year, more than 600 Americans die …. Read More
A new report on the impact of road traffic accidents involving children reports that such accidents are a grave public health issue facing developing countries. The report from the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) highlights the impact that traffic incidents with victims aged 0 to 17 have on a country’s economy and …. Read More
This is the second installment of a two-part series. In the first part of this article, we visited a nature-based early childhood program in a forest preserve on the western edge of Chicagoland. Here, children found treasure, became pirates, engineered a raft/bridge and adventured for long distances in the winter woods. In this part, we’ll …. Read More
For its first round of No Child Left Inside grants, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources received an overwhelming response to its call for grant proposals. Program administrators received 200 applications in just six minutes from schools, nonprofits and community organizations. The majority of projects were focused on trying to conduct classes outside, at their school. …. Read More
As the number of people with myopia, or short-sightedness, has increased dramatically in recent years in various regions of the world, the risk of blindness with worsening severity of myopia has made the condition a major public health concern. While many studies have looked at possible risk factors, only a few factors have come out consistently around the …. Read More
In a study published in the Journal of Urban Landscape and Planning, Australian researchers found that having a playground nearby can add value to property. The presence of a playground added about 4.6 percent to the average property price. Researchers used ten years of property price history in a specific region of Australia to try to …. Read More
This is the first installment of a two-part series. A plague of digitalization is sweeping through American youth, infecting all whom it touches. Teens quake in horror when their cell phones are out of their grasp. Only a regular diet of media stimulation fends off the pain of social isolation. But hark, I feel a breeze …. Read More
Researchers from the University of Jyväskylä in Finland found that children living in metropolitan areas have weaker motor skills compared with children living in the countryside. Study results also showed that children from the countryside spent more time outdoors, while children from the metropolitan area most frequently engaged in organized sports.
An international health research centre which looked at city children’s habits found that watching television is the lifestyle habit ‘most strongly associated’ with obesity in children. Researchers from the Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal) studied 1,480 children, looking at five lifestyle habits: physical activity, sleep time, television time, plant-based food consumption and ultra-processed food …. Read More
The Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation and the national nonprofit KidsGardening opened its Gro More Good Grassroots Grants, an annual grant program designed to get more kids outside through the development of youth-based garden and greenspace programs. The Gro More Good Grassroots Grants will support all types of community-driven garden and greenspace projects that directly engage youth. Grant funding will …. Read More
A study examining the relationship between exposure to a household pet cat or dog during the first 12 years of life and having a subsequent diagnosis of schizophrenia or bipolar disorder found that exposure to a household pet dog was associated with a significantly decreased hazard of having a subsequent diagnosis of schizophrenia. The researchers …. Read More
The National Park Service announced five fee-free days for the year ahead, applying to the 111 park sites that normally charge visitors. The number of free days is the same as last year, but down from the 10 that were offered in 2017 as part of the National Park Service’s centennial celebration.
Playgrounds across Colorado have been redesigned with an emphasis on natural materials such as stumps and boulders instead of slides and swings as part of the ECHO program. ECHO or the Early Childhood Health Outdoors initiative is a joint venture of the National Wildlife Federation and the Natural Learning Initiative at North Carolina State University that …. Read More
Adidas Outdoor has launched the Urban Climbing Project, a pilot project introducing the sport of climbing to young people in inner-city Manchester, UK. The project has launched with 83 local schoolchildren from six different primary and secondary schools in the city. Adidas Outdoor hopes to expand the Urban Climbing Project in 2020, offering learn to …. Read More
Researchers at Guangzhou’s South China Institute of Environmental Sciences found that children at schools with more trees and green space are less likely to have ADHD. After assessing the surrounding environments of the schools of almost 60,000 youngsters in China, the study showed that children were less likely to have attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder if their school offered …. Read More
The Boulder, Colorado-based organization, Growing Up Boulder, has created the nation’s first printed kid-friendly city map, designed to help parents and children find such child-friendly spaces such as parks and nature trails in the city. Growing Up Boulder collaborated with more than 30 organizations and 700 children, caregivers, and teachers to complete the map. The …. Read More