Advance equitable access to nature everywhere children live, learn and play
Nature Everywhere Communities is an initiative led by the Children & Nature Network, National League of Cities and KABOOM! that is working to create equitable access to nature everywhere children live, learn and play. Communities are invited to apply as an Accelerator Community to launch or advance nature-based strategies to advance children’s nature connection. Teams will receive one year of technical assistance, training, resources, peer learning and the opportunity to apply for seed funding.
Support Provided
Below is an overview of support provided during the one year Accelerator Community cohort.
- Technical Assistance Vision Lab. Accepted teams will kick off participation through a costs-covered in-person Vision Lab.
- Monthly Technical Assistance Calls. Accepted teams will work with two technical assistance advisors with a focus on partnership development, vision and goal-setting, assessment, activating key leadership and mapping stakeholders that lead to system-level implementation and impact on children’s lives.
- Peer Learning Network Meetings. Accelerator community teams will participate in regular virtual meetings to build knowledge, skills and inspiration while connecting with other peers working across the country.
- Seed Funding. Seed funds of up to $40,000 will be available to Accelerator community teams to support coordination and implementation of systems-level green schoolyards or early childhood nature connection strategies.
- Technical Assistance Visit. Technical assistance staff will schedule an on-site visit to provide intensive, strategic support to build partnerships and catalyze local Nature Everywhere efforts.
Accelerator Community Commitment
Accepted accelerator communities commit to the following:
- Developing a vision and implementation plan for a nature connection strategy that leverages policy, resource flows, and infrastructure for a systems-change approach.
- Activating city government along with grassroots momentum for nature access
- Full participation by named team members in the Vision Lab, technical assistance meetings and visits, peer learning events, and local planning.
- Coordinate meetings with the mayor, superintendent, or other key institutional leadership.
Participation Requirements
Communities interested in applying to the Nature Everywhere Communities Initiative must meet the following criteria:
- Establish a 3-5-person operational team composed of key leadership for 25 in 5 Initiative partnership, with the addition of a mix of institutional leadership representatives and essential community partners for advancing nature access.
- Identify an individual to serve as your team lead.
- Commit staff capacity to actively participate in the cohort and its activities for all 3-5 team members.
Applications for the Fall 2024 Accelerator Communities cohort are now closed.
If your team is interested in joining Nature Everywhere Communities, consider registering for the Action Challenge. The Action Challenge is a self-paced approach to advancing equitable access to nature everywhere children live, learn and play.
Applications for the 2025 Nature Everywhere Communities is a collaboration with Kaboom!’s 25 in 5 Initiative partners. If you have questions, please contact us at natureeverywhere@childrenandnature.org.
Please email us at natureeverywhere@childrenandnature.org.
Nature Everywhere Communities are made possible with major support from: