Connect Young Children to Nature: City Assistance Opportunity

Bring nature’s benefits to young children, ages 0 – 5, in your city and support other city priorities, such as school readiness, health and wellness, and equity in child development.

CCCN, NLC, Children & Nature Network Logos

Cities Connecting Children to Nature (CCCN) invites cities to apply to receive support and technical assistance to implement strategies that connect young children to nature more equitably.

CCCN will select several cities to receive 18 months of technical assistance in order to:

      • Activate city government along with grassroots momentum for nature access for young children
      • Implement strategies to change the conditions that hold inequities in nature access for young children in place
      • Create sustainable, regular nature access for all young children, regardless of race or income
      • Improve child and youth development outcomes through regular connection to nature

ECNC RFA Early Childhood Nature Connection

WHY CONNECT YOUNG CHILDREN TO NATURE?

Nature connections during early childhood, ages 0 – 5,  improves young children’s:

      • Physical health, including a healthier weight and physical development
      • Mental health, such as increased self-confidence and resilience and decreased depression
      • Social-emotional skills, such as independence, impulse control, and emotional regulation
      • Oral and written expression and cognitive skills, such as problem solving and creativity.
      • Readiness for school by supporting language, literacy and motor development.
      • Sense of responsibility towards nature and empathy towards living things

 

WHAT DOES EARLY CHILDHOOD NATURE CONNECTION LOOK LIKE IN CITIES?

A recent national landscape scan suggests that cities can equitably enhance nature connections for young children through four pathways: 

      • nature play spaces in parks and public spaces
      • adding nature to outdoor spaces in early childhood programs, including centers, preschools, and family, friend, and neighbor care
      • nature-based programming at city facilities, such as libraries and recreation centers
      • city-supported nature preschools

Additional efforts that support more equitable early childhood nature connection across all pathways include:

      • aligning state child care licensing requirements and quality rating and improvement systems (QRIS)
      • professional development for staff of early childhood programs 
      • engaging families and caregivers to support early childhood nature connection

Learn more about Early Childhood Nature Connections by downloading CCCN’s Early Childhood Strategy tool, watch the Nature Play video, or explore more photos and case studies. See city examples in Austin and San Francisco.

 

HOW TO APPLY?

CCCN invites city teams to apply online by Friday, March 18, 2022.

Step 1: Information Session

Watch a virtual information session recorded on Monday, February 14, 2022. Watch recording here.

 Step 2: Application

Complete the online application by 8:00 p.m. ET, Friday, March 18, 2022. Details about the application process are below.

 Learn more about the technical assistance opportunity. See details below.

STEP 1: Information Session

WHEN: Monday, February 14, 2022, 2:00 – 3:30 p.m. ET

WHAT: This virtual info session will highlight CCCN’s Early Childhood Nature Connection Technical Assistance Opportunity. It will detail research supporting the benefits of early childhood nature connection,opportunities for cities to implement equitable systematic approaches to connecting young children to nature, and connection points to state policy governing early childhood settings. Participants will learn about case studies from cities that have  implemented early childhood nature connection efforts. The info session is a prerequisite for application to CCCN Early Childhood Nature Connection Opportunity. CCCN Staff will provide an overview of the application process and technical assistance opportunity and answer questions related to the application process. A recording of the workshop will be available.

Watch Recording

STEP 2: Application

When: Application deadline is Friday, March 18, 2022, 8:00 p.m. ET

What: The online application includes a series of questions about your city’s population, demographics and early childhood programs. It also asks questions about potential and current opportunities for nature connections. Accompanying the online application, we also require a letter from the Mayor showing willingness to commit time, leadership, and resources to the  city’s early childhood nature connection efforts to ensure success.

Additional Support for Applicants: Optional office hours to ask questions and connect with staff:

Thursday, February 24, 2022 – 2:00-3:00 pm ET 

Tuesday, March 1, 2022  – 3:00 – 4:00 pm ET

Apply Now

Learn more about the technical assistance opportunity

Aligned with CCCN’s overall vision to connect all children in the US to nature, the Early Childhood Nature Connection expansion effort envisions creating opportunities for all young children in U.S. cities to connect daily with nature in their communities, including at early childhood programs, parks, and public spaces and facilities. This effort parallels other CCCN initiatives underway to expand Green Schoolyards and State and Regional multi-city nature connections .

Cities Selected to Participate will receive:

      • Training to develop skills to engage those most affected by inequitable connections to nature and to understand and a incorporate a systems change approach 
      • Support from CCCN staff and national experts to develop and implement action plans for expanded early childhood nature connections
      • Details, examples and context regarding the pathways, policies, professional development opportunities cities can implement to expand access to early childhood nature connection
      • Access to CCCN resources, national experts, and peer learning groups to exchange strategies, lessons learned and approaches to best practices

City Eligibility and Expectations:
Successful city applications must exhibit these key traits: 

      • Commitment by the Mayor to convene partners and assign city staff to the project
      • Staff capacity to actively participate in the cohort and its activities 
      • Current local momentum and/or capacity to advance policies, funding opportunities or strategies to support young children’s equitable nature access 
      • Existing opportunities to expand or implement early childhood nature connection efforts with an equity lens  
      • Ability to engage and prioritize representation from communities of color and low-income residents
      • A strong network of partners and the ability to mobilize local organizations and elected officials in support of nature-based programs, services and policies

CCCN will prioritize the participation of cities that hold National League of Cities membership in good standing. Cities that have already received catalytic grants from CCCN are not eligible to apply.

About

Cities Connecting Children to Nature (CCCN). Longstanding systems of inequity have influenced the design, distribution, and access to biodiverse natural places. Cities Connecting Children to Nature, a joint initiative of  the National League of Cities and the Children & Nature Network, with funding from The JPB Foundation, supports municipal leaders and their community partners in shifting planning, policies and programs to connect children to the benefits of nature more often and more equitably.

Questions
Contact Vera Feeny
Senior Program Specialist, Children and Nature
National League of Cities
CCCNteam@nlc.org

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