2022 Annual Report
Dear children and nature champions,
Throughout 2022, we celebrated the 15th anniversary of the Children & Nature Network. Over the past decade-and-a-half, we’ve seen tremendous growth and change in our organization and in the children and nature movement. But our mission – to increase equitable access to nature so that children and the natural world can thrive – remains constant and more necessary than ever.
We achieve our mission in partnership with advocates for children and nature from many sectors around the world – all working to make sure that children have regular connection to nature’s benefits everywhere they live, learn and play.
Thank you for being part of this critical work. We look forward to what we can accomplish together in the years to come.
With gratitude,
Sarah Milligan-Toffler
President & CEO, Children & Nature Network
Kim Moore Bailey
Board Chair, Children & Nature Network
President & CEO, Justice Outside
How We Work
Theory of Change
We work to increase equitable access to nature everywhere children live, learn and play by fostering the belief that nature is essential for healthy development; growing an inclusive global movement; and changing the big systems that impact children’s daily lives.
Fostering Belief
Nature’s benefits are becoming more widely recognized, but much work is needed to ensure access to the natural world in the systems that impact children’s daily lives. Throughout 2022, we curated research and developed tools, resources and training to help advocates make the case for nature connection, and advanced evidence-based strategies proven to increase equitable access to outdoor experiences and learning.
Thanks again for all you do to translate articles and promote research-informed practice. We appreciate having access to so much info that would otherwise be too restricted, expensive or obscure.— KARAN WOOD, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION ALLIANCE
Building the evidence base
Since our founding in 2006, research has been a cornerstone of our work. In 2022, our online research library grew to host more than 1,300 peer-reviewed studies. We deepened our focus on equity with research related to specific populations, disparities and social justice. And, we further aligned our research curation and interpretation to support our work with cities, schools and practitioners across many disciplines.
Research Digest Archive
Our Research Digest Archive holds published Digests going back to our first publication in 2016, including themed issues and literature reviews.
Research-based graduate-level “children and nature” course engages students in making the case for nature connection
In late 2022, North Carolina State University professor Dr. Kathryn Stevenson partnered with the Children & Nature Network’s research team to provide her students with the opportunity to develop real-world research skills. The effort resulted in a student-led Research Digest focused on inequitable access to nature.
In Flagstaff, green schoolyards sprout after climate-related disasters
Following devastating wildfires and floods, a powerful coalition of community members, school district leaders and city officials prove that green schoolyards can help mitigate climate-related disasters and increase access to outdoor learning and greenspace.
By The Numbers:
80,000+
Research Library views
12
Research Digests published
18,000+
Research Digest monthly subscribers
1,300+
studies in our Research Library
700+
resources available in our Resource Hub
13
green school grounds case studies produced to inspire global action
Everyone belongs outdoors
Finding Nature News is a key way in which we foster belief in the benefits of nature – and promote an inclusive narrative about who spends time, and who belongs, in the outdoors. In each issue, we celebrate leaders working to make sure that children have equitable access to outdoor experiences and learning opportunities that are critical for healthy development.
Team Wilderness: Connecting Jersey City youth to the outdoors
Communities of color in the U.S. are three times more likely than white communities to live in nature-deprived areas. High school history teacher Steve Cunninghan recognized that his students lacked opportunities to experience the wilderness, so he created an outdoor adventure club for Jersey City youth.
Vámonos Outside is getting Latinx youth into the rivers and onto the slopes
A 2020 study found that 67% of Latinos in the U.S. live in nature-deprived areas. Vámonos Outside (“Let’s Go Outside”), based in Bend, Oregon, works to navigate cultural and economic barriers to the outdoors with the aim of exposing Latinx youths to nature and outdoor recreation in an area that is bursting with it.
STEAM Beans is demystifying nature – and science – for Black girls
In the U.S., Black women comprise only 2% of the science and engineering workforce. Underlying causes include the marginalization of Black girls and lack of exposure to STEAM careers and nature-based education. STEAM Beans aims to change this, using nature as a conduit to pique Black girls’ interest in science, technology, engineering, art and math.
Celebrating 15 years of nature connection
In April 2022, we celebrated 15 years of progress and partnership with children and nature leaders around the world. To celebrate this milestone, we launched the annual $15,000 Richard Louv Prize for Innovation in Nature Connection. Our inaugural winner, BLISS Meadows founder Atiya Wells, was selected for her exemplary work to advance equitable access to nature in her community.
Growing the Movement
Following two-plus years of convening virtually during the COVID pandemic, 2022 marked the return of our in-person Inside-Out International Conference. More than one-third of the 700+ cross-sector attendees were new to the event, reflecting a growing interest in nature’s power to support physical and mental health, academic outcomes, climate resilience and recovery from pandemic-related and other traumas. 90% of attendees said the conference would help them advance their work.
We continued to engage advocates throughout the year with our virtual Inside-Out Leadership Series webinars and through The Trailhead, our free online community for children and nature leaders, which saw active users double in 2022.
Members make a difference
Our membership base grew to more than 600 individuals and organizations in 2022. Average membership gifts doubled and a refreshed members-only newsletter offered special discounts and opportunities, hitting the mark with an open rate of 70%.
I was impressed with the BIPOC representation and others that looked like me. For me, it really spoke to the fact that connection to nature is universal and it's a big part of our humanity and our being. The conference itself was transformative.— 2023 INSIDE-OUT INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ATTENDEE
The Vitamin N Challenge
During the summer of 2022, families around the world participated in the Vitamin N Challenge, designed to connect parents and caregivers to ideas, inspiration and a community of people committed to spending quality time outdoors. Participants shared their #VitaminNChallenge adventures on Instagram, where we saw engagement increase by 114%.
More than 700 leaders working to connect children to the benefits of nature gathered for the 2022 Inside-Out International Conference
Children and nature advocates from around the world gathered in Atlanta, Georgia in May 2022 for inspiring keynotes, plenary panels, TEDx-style talks, networking receptions, walkshops and more. Special highlights included appearances by Dr. Jane Goodall and youth activist, Ms. Yoland Renee King.
A common thread: Indigenous-led foundation weaves together activism and art, climate and community
Alicia Fall is Founder and Vision Holder of the Indigenous-led Her Many Voices Foundation. The organization’s core value, “Whatever I do for another, I do for myself,” comes from Fall’s mother, and is the reason that she works so tirelessly to champion causes for Indigenous women and children, and Mother Earth.
Leading with intent
In September 2022, young leaders gathered in Colorado for a Children & Nature Network Legacy Camp, a multi-day immersive training that supports young adults in growing their outdoor leadership and taking action in their communities. In this article, participants share experiences that brought them to the intersection of outdoor equity, environmental activism and climate justice.
By The Numbers:
700+
Inside-Out International conference attendees from 15 countries
475,000+
total website visitors
25,000+
Finding Nature News subscribers
1,200+
active users from 41 countries in The Trailhead
604
individual and organizational members
1 MILLION+
social media reach and impressions
Changing Core Systems
In cities, school districts and communities across the U.S., we worked at the systems level to increase equitable access to nature everywhere children live, learn and play. In 2022, we also launched and expanded large-scale national partnerships, designed to advance nature-based interventions and strategies for the health and well-being of children and families.
When we were selected for the Cities Connecting Children to Nature Green Schoolyard cohort, it gave us time and space to just hold together. That can go a really long way in building collaboration and aligning goals.— Danya Gorel,
Outreach Coordinator for Terra BIRDS,
nonprofit partner with Flagstaff, Arizona schools
Cities Connecting Children to Nature
More than 50 U.S. communities take part in Cities Connecting Children to Nature (CCCN), our joint initiative with the National League of Cities. In 2022, we supported these communities in greening schoolyards; connecting families to the outdoors through Nature-Smart Libraries; enhancing public spaces with nature play areas; advancing nature connection in early childhood; and more. This interactive map highlights nature-based strategies being implemented by CCCN cities across the nation.
Nature-based interventions for families
Throughout 2022, we partnered with Casey Family Programs to equip social workers across the U.S. with nature-based strategies to support families and children in crisis. The partnership allows us to apply what we know about the restorative power of nature as a counterbalance to the negative health and developmental impacts of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). Through monthly workshops, conference presentations, resource development and technical assistance, we helped Casey Family Programs incorporate nature-based interventions in their training and service models to improve the health and well-being of children and families.
When we engage families in outdoor experiences, we see strengthened relationships with opportunities for healing from trauma.— PATSY SELLARS,
MANAGING DIRECTOR, CASEY FAMILY PROGRAMS
Global Lessons for Greening School Grounds & Outdoor Learning
Around the world, nature-filled school grounds enhance children’s play, health and well-being, and help improve climate resilience, community engagement and educational outcomes. We partnered with a coalition of international organizations and leaders to highlight successful approaches and scalable strategies for greening school grounds in a series of video case studies. And we worked on developing a Global Action Agenda, which lists 24 actions that must take place in order to create a world in which every child connects meaningfully with nature every day – especially those most impacted by long-standing systems of inequity and climate change.
Youth Leadership Development
A partnership with Girl Scouts USA resulted in an update to the quintessential Outdoor Education in Girl Scouting Guide, used across the U.S. by volunteer troop leaders. Children & Nature Network staff provided content for the guide, focused on activities and approaches for creating inclusive and culturally relevant connections to nature. We also facilitated monthly peer learning and technical assistance for a national cohort of 18 youth service organizations – and hosted our signature leadership development Legacy Camp for young leaders in Colorado
By The Numbers:
50+
cities committed to implementing nature connection strategies through CCCN
100+
organizations and practitioners endorsed Global Action Agenda for Greening School Grounds & Outdoor Learning
11
communities participated in national Green Schoolyards cohort
18
youth service organizations participate in national Youth Leadership Development cohort
32
young leaders from Colorado develop nature-based leadership skills at Legacy Camp
100s
of social workers learned about nature-based interventions for families through our work with 5 Casey Family Program field offices
Stumps, jumps and tree cookies: Bringing nature’s benefits to young children in cities
Research indicates that providing young children, ages zero to five, with regular access to nature improves physical and mental health, develops social emotional skills and better prepares children for school. It also helps them develop connections to nature and their communities.
A natural remedy: For social workers striving to help keep kids out of foster care, nature-based interventions can be a powerful tool
Nature-based interventions — which can be as simple as walking and talking in the outdoors, or as involved as a camping trip — are offering therapists and social workers a way to bridge communication gaps and provide tiny doses of tangible joy that can add up to something significant for families over time.
Around the world, green school grounds benefit children, communities and the environment
When it comes to greening school grounds and outdoor learning, we can learn a lot from each other. From “cool urban islands” in France to colorful nature crafts in the Czech Republic to youth environmental clubs in Cameroon, schools around the world are finding creative ways to connect children to nature.
2022 Financials
Audit Statement
Our 2022 financial information has been derived from the Children & Nature Network’s consolidated financial statements, audited by Carpenter, Evert & Associates. This information should be read in conjunction with our audited consolidated financial statements and related notes. To obtain copies or to request a copy of our 990, please contact us at admin@childrenandnature.org.
2022 Supporters
The Children & Nature Network’s work is made possible by more than 600+ members, donors, funders and partners who sustain and inspire us. Every contribution makes a difference.
Special thanks to our 2022 major contributors (support of $5,000 and above):
- Biohabitats, Inc. in honor of their employees
- The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation
- Casey Family Programs
- The Colorado Health Foundation
- Fidelity Charitable
- The JPB Foundation
- Kikkerland Design Inc.
- Landscape Structures
- The Kim Larson and Gary Knell Impact Fund of Schwab Charitable
- Meridian Institute
- National Recreation Foundation
- The Pierce Williams Donor Fund of Morgan Stanley Gift Fund
- Pisces Foundation
- PlayCore
- Prima
- The Hannah B. Quimby Gift Fund of Goldman Sachs Philanthropy Fund
- REI Cooperative Action Fund
- Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
- Smikis Foundation
- Swantz Family Foundation
- Treeline Foundation
- Turner Foundation
- Betsy and Charles Townsend
- The Walker Family Foundation
- Wilderness River Foundation
Strategic Partners
We also thank these strategic partners with whom we align resources to deepen our collective impact:
- City of Austin, Texas
- Colorado Parks & Wildlife
- Girl Scouts of the USA
- International Union for the Conservation of Nature, #NatureforAll
- International School Grounds Alliance
- Jane Goodall Institute, Roots & Shoots
- Kaboom!
- National League of Cities Institute on Youth, Education and Families
- Salzburg Global Seminar
- Trust for Public Land
Team Children & Nature
The Children & Nature Network is grateful for the leadership of our Board of Directors and our Founders’ Council, who help guide and support our work to create equitable access to nature’s benefits for children around the world.
This report was developed with input from the Children & Nature Network team, who work to ensure equitable access to the benefits of nature everywhere children live, learn and play.
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