The Youth Outdoor Policy Partnership is a collaboration of leading national organizations working across sectors to ensure that all children have access to high-quality outdoor experiences and environmental education. Every year, we publish an Annual Trend Report that shares innovative policies to encourage legislators, advocates, communities and youth to replicate, rethink and collaborate to build […]
National League of Cities and Children & Nature Network will take an in-depth look at the new report “How Green Schoolyards Create Economic Value.” The conversation, moderated by NLC’s Dr. Robert Blaine, will primarily feature report author Rob Grunewald, with additional insights and perspective from Jordan Twardy from the City of Dearborn and Priya Cook […]
School, work and busy schedules can make it hard to find time for nature. The Vitamin N Challenge can help. Inspired by Richard Louv’s book, “Vitamin N: The Essential Guide to a Nature-Rich Life” you can design a challenge that fits your lifestyle and schedule. Need some inspiration? During this event Ana Carol Thomé, Founder […]
Gardening not only connects children to nature, it engages all five senses, encourages healthy eating, develops math and science skills, teaches patience and responsibility, creates environmental stewards and is a great way for families to spend time together! During this event Kashon DuBose, Founder and Executive Director of Cultivators and Sonya Harris, Master Gardener and […]
It's never too early to introduce children to the outdoors. The benefits of nature engagement for young children (ages 0 - 5) relate to all areas of growth and development including physical, mental, social-emotional and cognitive. And these benefits apply to all children, including children with adverse childhood experiences and children with differing abilities. Parents, […]
The new year is coming and it’s a great time to think about what 2024 might hold for the children and nature movement. On November 29, we heard from Children & Nature Network board members and cross-sector experts who discussed trends and approaches to health and well-being that might influence, impact or present opportunities for […]
Summer may be over but that doesn’t mean that nature needs to stay outdoors as kids head back to school. In this event José G. González, Cathy Jordan, Ph.D. and Sheila Williams Ridge, Ed.D. will discuss how nature impacts mental health, social emotional learning and cognitive function in support of academic outcomes. Examples of how […]
City and community leaders have an opportunity to create citywide change for children to access nature everywhere they live, learn, and play. Communities successful in advancing equitable access to nature for children possess strong cross-sector teams and adopt a systems level approach. The “Designing Community Strategies and Building Cross-Sector Teams” session features communities successful in […]
Cities across the globe are experiencing an urgent need to mitigate and adapt to climate change. As city officials everywhere grapple with ways to emphasize sustainability and resiliency goals, many are turning to nature-based solutions. These solutions can happen right where children are every day: in schools. There is growing momentum to transform school grounds […]
The “Introduction to Nature Everywhere” virtual information session offers participants an overview of the Nature Everywhere vision to advance equitable access to nature in 100 communities by 2025. This information session will feature a conversation highlighting lessons learned from Cities Connecting Children to Nature (CCCN) - a joint initiative of the Children & Nature Network […]
Join us July 10th at 1 pm CST for a conversation with author and Children & Nature Network co-founder, Richard Louv. About this event Join author and Children & Nature Network co-founder Richard Louv in discussing what he learned about creating a nature-filled life while writing his books, including “Vitamin N: The Essential Guide to […]
Spending family time in nature sounds simple, but is it? Unfortunately many families experience barriers when it comes to spending quality time outdoors. In this workshop we will discuss some of those obstacles, real and perceived – including lack of time, systemic racism, gear and less than enthusiastic children, as well solutions to these challenges. We will also answer the age-old question, “what do I do with my family once we get outside?”