More than 700 leaders working to connect children to the benefits of nature gathered for the 2022 Inside-Out International Conference

In May, more than 700 children and nature advocates from around the world gathered in Atlanta, Georgia and online for the 2022 Inside-Out International Conference, hosted by the Children & Nature Network. After an extended hiatus from in-person gatherings, conference attendees were more enthusiastic than ever at the 2022 event. Attendees connected and learned throughout the week during keynotes, plenary panels, TEDx-style talks, networking receptions, walkshops, a poster session, affinity spaces, and more.

Keynotes and Plenaries

On Thursday, May 12, Dr. Jane Goodall, via live remote from England, joined author and Children & Nature Network co-founder Richard Louv in a conversation about how a connection to nature is essential for the health and well-being of children, animals and the planet.

“We have to roll up our sleeves and work around the obstacles — climate change, poverty, war — that lie between us and the star [of hope],” Dr. Goodall said. “And if we don’t give up, then, together, we shall reach that star.”

In an inspiring moment, Dr. Goodall and Louv discussed the importance of maintaining hope despite the challenges of working for environmental conservation and social change. Goodall described hope as a star at the end of a long, dark tunnel: “We have to roll up our sleeves and work around the obstacles — climate change, poverty, war — that lie between us and that star. And as we go through that tunnel, we reach out to others who are equipped to tackle these problems, and we take them with us. And if we don’t give up, then, together, we shall reach that star.”  On the same topic, Louv quoted environmentalist and Children & Nature Network Founders’ Council member David W. Orr, saying: “Hope is a verb with its sleeves rolled up.”

Richard Louv thanks conference participants and explains the importance of the movement for children and nature.

Yolanda Renee King, granddaughter of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr and a youth activist at only 13 years old, also made an inspirational appearance on the morning of May 12. She explained how her grandfather pioneered the use of nonviolent methods of protest — methods that have been used by the environmental movement to great effect in the decades since his assassination.

Describing her role as a descendent of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr, Ms. King said, “As his only grandchild, I feel a calling to do all that I can to carry his message of justice and hope to the younger generation. My grandfather once said, ‘All life is interrelated. We are all caught in an inescapable network of mutuality. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.’ With these words he was telling us about the importance of seeking harmony with one another, and natural harmony with all life on our beautiful planet.” Ms. King went on to emphasize the importance of children in the environmental movement: “To be effective advocates for the environment, we have to strengthen the connection between all children and nature — and when I say all children, I mean children of every race, nation, and religion.”

“My grandfather [Dr. Martin Luther King Jr] once said, ‘All life is interrelated. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.’ With these words he was telling us about the importance of seeking harmony with one another, and natural harmony with all life on our beautiful planet.” – Yolanda Renee King

In addition to Dr. Goodall and Ms. King’s appearances, two plenary panels graced the main stage for discussions relevant to the work in the children and nature movement today. Tuesday, May 10 brought the “Building a More Powerful Movement” panel, featuring Dr. Robert Blaine of the National League of Cities, Tia Karout of the Atlanta Chapter of Earth Guardians, Richard Carlbom of United Strategies, and the Reverend Dr. Gerald Durley, ​​legendary leader of civil rights and human rights causes. The conversation was moderated by Kim Moore Bailey, CEO of Justice Outside and Children & Nature Network Board Chair.

On Wednesday, May 11, Children & Nature Network’s Monica Lopez Magee moderated the “Nature’s Role in Healing Trauma” panel, featuring Dr. Hanaa Hamdi of the Urban Health Planning and Design Studios, Rocío Villalobos of the City of Austin’s Equity Office, Patsy Sellars of Casey Family Programs, and Dr. Viniece Jennings of Agnes Scott College.

Cities Connecting Children to Nature

More than 135 representatives from 36 U.S. cities attended the Inside-Out conference as part of Cities Connecting Children to Nature (CCCN), a joint initiative of the Children & Nature Network and National League of Cities. Our CCCN team used the conference as an opportunity to hold long overdue gatherings such as the CCCN All-Site meeting, during which representatives from all 32 CCCN cities came together for peer learning, round table discussions and small group problem solving sessions to address common issues and share resources. Three special CCCN cohorts also engaged in content-specific learning labs, field trips and planning sessions:

Regional-State Nature Connection Cohort

Regional-State Nature Connection Cohort meetings allowed nature connection leaders from across the U.S. to connect and compare strategies for advancing work on a regional level.

Green Schoolyards Cohort

The conference also marked the first in-person gathering of the 2021-2023 Green Schoolyards Technical Assistance cohort, comprising eleven cities working to bring nature’s benefits to children by creating district-wide, equity-based green schoolyard programs. Cohort members enjoyed a tour of Atlanta Community Schoolyard sites plus peer exchange and strategy-building sessions.

Early Childhood Nature Connection Cohort

The Early Childhood Nature Connection Cohort explored best practices for nature connection in early childhood, including a visit to SAND outdoor preschool to learn more about its inspiring outdoor curriculum.

Several city participants commented on how the conference helped them think differently about challenges and potential solutions in their work, remarking that they were leaving the event feeling energized and invigorated around their work. Alice Jansen of Texas Children in Nature thanked the event organizers, saying, “I have so many take-aways to bring back to my work in Texas.”

Youth Leadership Development

​​The national Youth Development & Nature Connection Cohort and the statewide Colorado Natural Leaders Cohort met to advance the proven benefits of combining youth development with nature connection strategies to help youth and young adults reach their full potential. Inspiration and potential for cross-sector collaboration was found in these convenings, as well as in affinity spaces, walkshops, and break-out sessions.

Louv Prize Winner

BLISS Meadows founder Atiya Wells was named as the recipient of the inaugural Richard Louv Prize for Innovation in Nature Connection during a May 12 award ceremony on the conference main stage. Wells was selected from over 125 distinguished nominations for leaders doing exemplary work to advance equitable access to nature in their communities. Read more about Atiya Wells and the BLISS Meadows project at our Finding Nature News story.

“We should not expect nature to save us from us.” A powerful statement by Dr. Viniece Jennings during the plenary panel about “Nature’s Role in Healing Trauma” — one of the main stage events of which recordings are available.

Catch the highlights

If you weren’t able to join us in Atlanta, you can still experience key moments from the largest gathering of children and nature advocates in the world.

View recordings of plenary panels and keynotes, including remarks from Yolanda Renee King and “A Conversation with Dr. Jane Goodall and Richard Louv” – plus an exciting mix of 18 TEDx-style talks from the main stage.

Recordings will be released at the beginning of June and ticketholders will have access to watch and re-watch them for 30 days.

Learn more at www.eventbrite.com/e/321741426267.

Continue the connection

Want easy access to the children and nature movement, at your fingertips? The Trailhead, Children & Nature Network’s online platform for peer learning and networking, is available 24/7, 365 days a year. Continue the conversation with fellow conference attendees, peruse the job board, share tips for getting children connected with nature, and more, on this free online platform. Learn more and join.

Mark your calendars!

The 2023 Inside-Out International Conference will be held June 12-15 at YMCA of the Rockies, Estes Park Colorado – just two miles from the entrance of Rocky Mountain National Park. Registration will open fall of 2022. Families welcome!

If you’d like to stay plugged into Inside-Out networking events in the meantime, stay tuned for more information on fall’s upcoming IO Leadership Series, which will offer more opportunities for connection, inspiration, and learning.

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