Action Challenge FAQ
Registration should be submitted as a team rather than as an individual. Teams must include at least three people from different community sectors. Any community organization, city department, school, or other community partner working to connect children to nature can participate.
Local community leaders can play active roles to ensure that nearby nature spaces exist and that children and families who have less access feel comfortable using those spaces. Coordinated efforts between municipal agencies, school districts and community-based organizations maximize nature access benefits to young people. Such partnerships also readily align with community priorities to address public health, academic, economic, environmental and equity outcomes.
For an Action Challenge Community, a cross-sector team includes team members from more than one organization or department. Team members represent different sectors of a community such as government agencies, school districts or community and nonprofit organizations. For the Action Challenge, we ask teams to be composed of a minimum of three individuals from different sectors.
For geographic areas, each community will form a minimum of a 3-person leadership team which could include a combination of institutional partners (such as school district and municipal, county and regional government representatives and decision-makers) and essential community partners (such as BIPOC-led organizations and others that have been traditionally excluded from community planning and decision making – and organizations and nonprofits representing the sustainability, health, education, youth development, outdoor rec, family service and other sectors).
For organizations with statewide reach, a successful team might include a representative mix of leadership and programmatic staff at various levels from multiple locations; key partners and stakeholders; and diverse voices from audiences served, with a focus on those not traditionally included in conversations about program design and service delivery.
For any type of community, we encourage registrants to strike a balance between including youth voices and intergenerational and BIPOC leadership, and including local leaders involved in budget and policy decision-making.
Below is an overview of who we believe is important to include and why.
| Institutional and government agencies | Organizations, nonprofits and community partners | |
| WHO | Elected leadership, school districts, public libraries, parks and recreation division, health departments, sustainability offices, stormwater management agencies, office/department of early learning, equity and transportation. | Community leaders, school districts, and nonprofit organizations, and businesses from various sectors including outdoor and recreation, health, education, and sustainability. |
| WHY | Uniquely positioned to advance efforts at a systems level that include policies, budgets, city-level decision makers and municipal clout. | Bring staff capacity, knowledge of nature connection and its benefits, and ability to mobilize local organizations and elected officials, capacity to advance policies, and additional funding opportunities. |
We define “community” as a geographic area, such as a city, county, neighborhood, state, or region that’s working to enhance the health and well-being of children.
Yes, we welcome non-US-based communities to apply to take the Action Challenge. However, the Action Challenge tools, resources and events are created with U.S.-based communities in mind. The timing of events are in U.S. time zones, tools and resources are primarily in English, and references to policies, agencies and governments align with U.S.-based experiences. Global communities may still benefit from Action Challenge tools, resources and experiences.
Teams can join the Action Challenge at any time. Once registered, they gain immediate access to resources and support to start their journey towards becoming Nature Everywhere Communities. While we encourage communities to complete the challenge within 12 months, participation does not expire, and communities can continue beyond a year.
The Nature Everywhere Communities Action Challenge offers a self-directed path for becoming a Nature Everywhere Community. The Action Challenge allows communities to gain national recognition for their efforts, with a smaller cross-sector team (minimum 3 people), and access a national peer learning network and resources. Nature Everywhere Accelerator Communities form larger cross-sector teams (minimum 5 people); commit to two-years of direct technical assistance; and receive seed grant funding. Action Challenge Communities can register themselves and get to work; Accelerator Communities must apply through a competitive RFP process. See a comparison chart on our Nature Everywhere Communities webpage.
As soon as teams register, they receive access to a national peer learning network, tools, and resources available through private groups on The Trailhead platform, as well as templates and tools to support their actions. Participating teams will gain national recognition for their achievements listed on the Nature Everywhere Communities Action Challenge landing page, mentions in feature stories, newsletters, and support in drafting a press release or one-pager. They will also receive recognition items such as web or email badges and support in the design of a street sign to celebrate their progress and accomplishments.
The Action Challenge provides a self-directed path for communities to become Nature Everywhere Communities. Registered communities gain access to tools, resources, and a national peer learning network. By taking a series of trackable actions, communities can earn increased levels of national recognition.
Teams will report their progress through an Action Challenge recognition form that will be reviewed by staff. While we do not require proof of actions you report as completed, we expect participating teams to be truthful in their reporting. Once your form is reviewed, you’ll receive an email with your recognition materials based on actions you’ve reported. The Action Challenge is a chance for your community team to be celebrated for your commitment to ensuring equitable access to nature and we’d love stories and photos/videos to accompany your recognition form. These materials will help promote the great work your community team has accomplished!
At this time, there are no opportunities to receive funding for participating in the Action Challenge. However, the Nature Everywhere Communities newsletter frequently highlights funding opportunities for communities. Funding guides and toolkits are also part of the tools and resources shared with communities.
Successful strategies to date include Green Schoolyards, Early Childhood Nature Connection, Nature-Smart Libraries, and the development of Nature Play and Exploration Areas. These strategies prioritize and help meet local equity, climate resilience, and youth leadership goals.
Nature Everywhere recognizes that CCCN cities pioneered the idea of concerted local efforts for systems-level change. The Action Challenge provides an opportunity for a cross-sector team within a CCCN city to register in order to take actions above and beyond those already underway through CCCN. Regardless, CCCN teams continue to receive technical assistance, peer learning opportunities and other support. CCCN teams may contact us at nature_everywhere@childrenandnature.org for guidance on branding updates.
Join a Nature Everywhere Action Challenge onboarding webinar in June 2024 or watch the recording. The webinar will provide greater details on how to participate in the Action Challenge. From there, community teams work at their own pace to complete actions.
Please email us at nature_everywhere@childrenandnature.org with any additional questions.
Nature Everywhere Communities are made possible with major support from:
