Category: The New Nature Movement – Columns by Guest Writers

IT’S TIME TO ACT: Introducing the Youth Outdoor Equity Leadership Grant Program

LiNE0 commentsCampaign/InitiativeChildren & Nature NetworkEquityNatural Leaders NetworkThe New Nature Movement - Columns by Guest Writers

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

BUCKET FULL OF NATURE: A Fun Indoor Nature Challenge for Families

LiNE0 commentsFamilyLocalNearby NatureThe New Nature Movement - Columns by Guest WritersVitamin N

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

NATURAL STEWARDS: Top Activities with Kids that Help Give Back to the Outdoors

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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

NATURE CONNECTIONS: How a Summer Camp Helps Kids Connect with Nature and Each Other

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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 MILESTONE IN THE STUDY OF NATURE’S BENEFITS: From Intuitive Understanding to Overwhelming Evidence

LiNE0 commentsChildren & Nature NetworkEarly ChildhoodEDUCATIONResearchThe New Nature Movement - Columns by Guest Writers

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

HEADING TO THE FOREST: Bringing Joy, Accomplishment & Hope to Children

LiNE0 commentsAccessAlliesEarly ChildhoodEDUCATIONEquityFamilyNearby NatureOutdoor PlayregionalThe New Nature Movement - Columns by Guest Writers

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