Reflections on 2020

Over the holidays, I’ve been reading a wide range of reflections on 2020. From the “good riddance” variety to thoughtful pieces that wonder if we will emerge from this year stronger—taking each other, our health, our democracy, and the natural world less for granted. If anything, 2020 has reminded us of this universal truth: you can’t control what happens, but you can control how you respond.

Back in March, we realized that COVID-19 would have long-term impacts on our work and on the many people and organizations that make up the children and nature movement. Our staff and Board of Directors came together to create an 18-month response plan. We tightened our belts and charted new virtual strategies for serving and supporting our network. We launched a COVID-19 resource site to provide tools and resources to help our organizations, educators and parents navigate our new, socially distanced reality. In short, the C&NN team acted quickly and bravely to meet the challenges presented by the pandemic. I could not be more grateful for or proud of them.

In May, after the unjust killing of George Floyd and too many before him, our team realized that it was critical to not only renew our commitment to equity and inclusion, but to share our anti-racism journey and take more direct action to address the longstanding systems of inequity and white dominance in the outdoor and environmental fields. We established the Youth Outdoor Equity Leadership Fund to provide mini-grants to support young leaders’ efforts to increase equitable access to nature, and to promote social, racial and environmental justice. Their leadership is essential as our nation, and the world, grapples with identifying and dismantling racism.

In June, instead of gathering in person in Atlanta for our Inside-Out Leadership Summit, we shifted to an all-virtual event, which was attended by more than 400 people from 20 countries. I’ll admit that I was skeptical about the value of convening on-screen. But children and nature advocates from around the world rallied. Over the course of our two-week Summit, leaders shared ideas and resources, engaged across virtual chats and zoom rooms, and inspired us and each other with their deep commitment to creating equitable access to nature, especially during the pandemic. You can watch the highlights here.

2020 threw a lot at all of us. But I am truly inspired by the leadership of so many in our movement, including the C&NN team and how they rose to meet the moment. I have no doubt that this strength and resilience comes, at least in part, from the healing power of nature. Despite all of the challenges we face as a global community, ours is a truly hopeful movement. 

Sarah Milligan-Toffler is executive director of the Children & Nature Network.

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