The transformative power of nature – and collaboration – at the 2024 Nature Everywhere Conference

As early morning light filtered through windows framing a gleaming lake, attendees of the 2024 Nature Everywhere Conference milled around Monona Terrace, making introductions and deciding which of the many breakout sessions they would attend during the afternoon’s programming. A readiness permeated the room—to connect, to learn and to dig deep.

The 2024 Nature Everywhere Conference, guided by the Madison Advisory Council, Youth Advisory Council and Children & Nature Network staff, gathered over 600 attendees from 10 countries on the shore of Lake Monona in Madison, Wisconsin, from May 28-31. Conversations throughout the conference’s 53 sessions and four plenaries revealed the relentless drive and incredible work of leaders around the world in furthering a common mission—to ensure that every child has access to nature.

Powerful opening remarks set a strong foundation

Framed by two blue lakes, Madison occupies the present and ancestral land of the Ho-Chunk Nation. Each morning, after attendees poured a cup of fresh coffee and exchanged greetings, we were honored to begin the day’s programming with powerful opening remarks from Ho-Chunk leaders.

On Wednesday morning, Chief Clayton Winneshiek opened the conference with a reminder of the land’s history and a prayer. On Thursday, Tribal law attorney Samantha Skenadore received a standing ovation after a compelling speech on the Indigenous-led movement to legalize the inherent rights of nature. And Hinu Smith, executive director of the Department of Agriculture for the Ho-Chunk Nation, delivered a poignant reflection on Friday morning covering the transformative impact of nature within her own family, serving as a powerful reminder of the importance of our work.

Inspiring keynote and plenaries

From Hinu Smith’s testimony to Dr. Cathy Jordan’s presentation on the scientifically-backed benefits of nature, conversations on the transformative power of nature for our youth permeated the conference. Yet our general session panels also revealed that power lies not only in nature, but in the collaboration it takes to get every child outside. 

Our panelists discussed how interagency, private and public partnerships help build youth leadership pathways in the outdoors, tailor broader strategic visions to individual areas, build city-wide commitments to nature connection and create a sense of shared urgency. They highlighted how funders and recipients can become thought partners in philanthropy, sharing decision-making and working towards a collective vision. The conference concluded with a cross-sector conversation on how we can build a new, intersectional status quo, where nature can be used to avoid downstream medical costs and build an opportunity-rich childhood for all.

You are one of the most important health workers of our time—you engage kids in nature. –  Dr. David Erickson, Federal Reserve Bank of New York

Even beyond our main stage, collaboration was ever-present in meetings between old and new colleagues on the terrace, impassioned conversations in the halls between sessions and the 40 unique attendee-organized meet-ups held throughout the week.

We were also honored to welcome National Geographic Explorer James Edward Mills as our keynote speaker. Author of “The Adventure Gap: Changing the Face of the Outdoors,” Mills is on a mission to inspire a new and diverse generation of outdoor enthusiasts through storytelling that promotes Black achievement. During his keynote, he expertly wove together history, contemporary stories and his personal narrative to stress the importance of intentionally and deliberately creating a more inclusive outdoors.

It is only through the availability of public land that we can all have the opportunity to live with the freedom and with the joy that I think all of us aspire to. – James Edward Mills

Whether during his keynote, in conversation at his book-signing or while participating in a breakout session, Mills radiated energy and commitment to the collective effort needed to make outdoor adventure accessible for all.

Additionally, a number of attendees shared their voices one morning, advocating for the recognition of children suffering in Gaza. Board Chair Jesús Aguirre addressed the concern with a statement, acknowledging that everyone at the conference is, in their own way, working towards a healthier, more verdant future for children. On behalf of the Children & Nature Network, the statement denounced violence against children everywhere — in Palestine, Ukraine, Sudan, Yemen, in communities around the world and in communities close to home. Aguirre concluded by emphasizing the power and importance of collaboration, saying, “We need all of our voices, expertise and commitment to create a safe, healthy and nature-filled world for children.”

Recognizing the extraordinary work of Jason Stout

The 2024 Nature Everywhere Conference was created to inspire, connect and elevate leaders who share this deep commitment to the well-being of all children. Jason Stout is one such leader—and the Children & Nature Network was honored to present Stout with the 2024 Richard Louv Prize for Innovation in Nature Connection in recognition of the profound and far-reaching impact of his work designing grief support programs in nature for youth, families and veterans.

As Stout accepted his award, he spoke movingly about his own journey with childhood loss. “One hundred percent of you will die. One hundred percent of you will experience the death of someone you love. It is the most universal experience that binds us,” Stout explained. 

The audience sat in rapt attention, as Stout shared stories from his time counseling youth through their grief on mountainsides and next to rivers. “Grief is the most destructive experience we can have, but nature is the most powerful, transformative medicine.” 

When Stout concluded his speech with an emphatic “thank you very much!” and “I love you all,” he was met with a standing ovation, a room full of sniffles and more than a handful of discreet swipes at wet eyes. 

To know that my life’s work is seen by my peers, by Richard Louv and by the Children & Nature Network is incredibly validating—and so energizing. It makes me want to go out and do twice as much. – Jason Stout

Inaugural Nature Everywhere Day

The official 2024 Nature Everywhere Conference might have ended on May 31, but the excitement continued. In partnership with the City of Madison and local organizations, and made possible by Nature’s Way, we held the inaugural Nature Everywhere Day on June 1 — a day of outdoor celebration and free family activities! Despite the rain, community members showed up to attend outdoor events, explore a variety of pop-up booths and learn more about nature in their area, proving that fun can be found outdoors no matter the weather. 

Earlier in the week, Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway took to the main stage to provide a heartfelt welcome to the Nature Everywhere Conference. She also officially proclaimed June 1 as Nature Everywhere Day in Madison, in recognition of the city’s efforts as a Nature Everywhere Community working to provide equitable access to nature everywhere children live, learn and play. 

Continuing on a path of collaboration towards a nature-filled future

Every year I come, I’m just always newly inspired, and I feel like we’ve got a lot of momentum and ideas to take back home, metabolize and make happen. — Deryn Wagner, City of Boulder Parks and Recreation Department

The Nature Everywhere Conference reminds us of the necessity of collaboration, which powers the children and nature movement — a movement that strives for a brighter, greener world. We see the spirit of collaboration in our Nature Everywhere Communities, who are working and dreaming across sectors to make systemic changes that promote equitable access to nature. We see collaboration embodied in our panels of leaders, who represent a diverse array of initiatives but consistently share the same message: “I couldn’t have done it alone.” And we value the collaboration from those who raise their voices, both loudly, or perhaps quietly in conversation and through their work — recognizing the global context of the movement. 

As Board Chair Jesús Aguirre shared, “We appreciate the spirit of collaboration and relationship-building that has happened here this week, rooted in the common ground of children’s well-being… This is perhaps the one place in the world, on this day, where a group of people this size, from multiple countries, with multiple perspectives, shares such clear and common ground.”

What comes next?

You can check out more pictures from the event in our new 2024 Nature Everywhere Conference Photo Gallery.

We additionally invite you to channel the spirit of the conference by participating in our Vitamin N Challenge, which runs from June through September 15 this year. The #VitaminNChallenge, made possible by Nature’s Way, is an open-ended invitation to incorporate more of the essential Vitamin N (nature!) into your everyday life. Check out our Vitamin N Challenge page for more inspiration and resources. 

Finally, mark your calendars for our 2025 Nature Everywhere Conference in the Twin Cities of St. Paul and Minneapolis, Minnesota, May 13 to 16, 2025. 

We’d like to extend our gratitude to the incredible Monona Terrace staff, conference sponsors, exhibitors and our amazing volunteers, who helped make this event possible. 

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