BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//Children & Nature Network - ECPv6.13.2.1//NONSGML v1.0//EN CALSCALE:GREGORIAN METHOD:PUBLISH X-WR-CALNAME:Children & Nature Network X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://www.childrenandnature.org X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Children & Nature Network REFRESH-INTERVAL;VALUE=DURATION:PT1H X-Robots-Tag:noindex X-PUBLISHED-TTL:PT1H BEGIN:VTIMEZONE TZID:America/Chicago BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0600 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:CDT DTSTART:20200308T080000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0600 TZNAME:CST DTSTART:20201101T070000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0600 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:CDT DTSTART:20210314T080000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0600 TZNAME:CST DTSTART:20211107T070000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0600 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:CDT DTSTART:20220313T080000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0600 TZNAME:CST DTSTART:20221106T070000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0600 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:CDT DTSTART:20230312T080000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0600 TZNAME:CST DTSTART:20231105T070000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0600 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:CDT DTSTART:20240310T080000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0600 TZNAME:CST DTSTART:20241103T070000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0600 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:CDT DTSTART:20250309T080000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0600 TZNAME:CST DTSTART:20251102T070000 END:STANDARD END:VTIMEZONE BEGIN:VTIMEZONE TZID:America/New_York BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0400 TZNAME:EDT DTSTART:20230312T070000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0400 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:EST DTSTART:20231105T060000 END:STANDARD END:VTIMEZONE BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20250607T130000 DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20250607T150000 DTSTAMP:20250708T003007 CREATED:20250514T235314Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250617T224034Z UID:10000122-1749301200-1749308400@www.childrenandnature.org SUMMARY:Learn to Nature Journal with John Muir Laws (Recording) DESCRIPTION:Keeping a nature journal is a learnable skill that can change our lives forever\, opening doors to mindful attention\, curiosity\, wonder\, beauty\, connection\, peace\, and joy.\n–John Muir Laws \nOrange Page by Kate Rutter \nNature journaling offers numerous benefits\, including enhanced observational skills\, improved mental and emotional well-being\, and a deeper connection to the natural world. It can also boost cognitive functions like critical thinking and creativity. Additionally\, nature journaling can reduce stress and anxiety\, and foster a sense of awe and wonder. \nPond Page by Yvea Moore \nJoin award-winning artist\, author\, educator and scientist\, John Muir Laws\, for a two-hour hands-on live virtual class where he will share his best tips and tricks for nature journaling learned through his 40 years of teaching and illustrating. This class is geared towards children ages 8+\, parents\, caregivers\, educators and anyone looking to pass this knowledge onto others. Children under 8 are welcome to participate with an older person’s help. \nTo get the most out of this offering\, have the following equipment with you when you login: \n\n\n\nUnlined notebook or paper\nSharpened pencil\nNature space or object\nCuriously and wonder\nBonus: watercolor or colored pencils\n\n\n\nTomato Page by Fiona Gillogly \nThis event is part of our Families Together in Nature program\, a series of events and resources to help parents and caregivers get out in nature! Our aim is to remove barriers\, offer inspiration and create community. Find more resources on our website and join The Trailhead\, our free online community. It’s the place to share resources\, ideas\, questions\, insights – and to cheer each other on! \nCheck out the resources shared during the event. URL:https://www.childrenandnature.org/event/learn-to-nature-journal-with-john-muir-laws/ LOCATION:Online Event CATEGORIES:Webinar ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://eadn-wc04-796033.nxedge.io/wp-content/uploads/FTiN_JohnMuirEvent_EVENTBRITE.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20241203T130000 DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20241203T140000 DTSTAMP:20250708T003007 CREATED:20241114T185541Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250113T222321Z UID:10000116-1733230800-1733234400@www.childrenandnature.org SUMMARY:Change is Coming: 2024 Youth Outdoor Policy Trends & 2025 Advocacy Strategies (Recording) DESCRIPTION: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 equitable youth outdoor opportunities. Together\, we’ll explore the latest state-level policy updates from 2024\, winning coalition-building strategies\, and exciting advocacy strategies for 2025 with a panel of youth outdoor policy leaders. \nYou’ll hear from: \n\nDavid Beard\, Director of Policy & Government Affairs\, Children & Nature Network. David was previously the Policy & Advocacy Director at School’s Out Washington where he facilitated SOWA’s advocacy efforts\, including educating policymakers and working with providers and stakeholders to secure more funding and better policies for the expanded learning field. Throughout his career\, David has been an advocate for children and families. After working as the Policy Director at the Washington State Council for Children and Families\, he spent five years at the Pew Charitable Trusts and the Maryland Advocates for Children and Youth\, both dedicated to education policy issues ranging from pre-k access to student discipline reform. In his free time\, David loves exploring one of the world’s most beautiful urban areas and hiking in the Cascades. \nMegan Fink\, the Partnerships & Policy Manager\, North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE). Megan began working in the field of environmental education over a decade ago. Megan brings a robust\, place-based\, outdoor education background to the NAAEE team. She has built enduring working relationships across the Chesapeake Bay watershed and the Mid-Atlantic region. As a graduate of Virginia Tech with a Bachelor of Science in Wildlife Science and Biology\, Megan began her career as an Environmental Educator at the North Carolina Aquariums before joining the Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF) in 2011. Through several program management positions with CBF\, she led students\, teachers\, school administrators and environmental professionals in ecological\, cultural and historical investigations of the Bay. She also managed a statewide leadership program for high school students\, teaching them how to become environmental advocates at the local\, regional and national levels.\nGrant Gliniecki\, Outdoor Policy Coordinator\, National Caucus of Environmental Legislators. Grant is passionate about outdoor education\, recreation\, and public land access. Their approach celebrates how outdoor policy can help us find shared values on complicated environmental issues while promoting equity\, opportunity\, and health for all. He is especially interested in identifying our opportunities and responsibilities to support environmentally committed tribal government legislators\, reaffirm tribal sovereignty\, and promote awareness of treaty obligations at local\, state\, and federal levels. Grant holds a Community Sustainability M.S. and is currently completing a Ph.D. in Community Sustainability\, both at Michigan State University. He lives in Nkwejong  // Where the rivers meet (Lansing\, MI)\, where he founded and serves as President of Giitigan\, an Anishinaabe Community Garden nonprofit sharing Anishinaabe food\, language\, and science through urban gardening. They love hiking\, canoeing\, porcupine quillwork\, sugarbushing\, and especially gardening.\nJanice Marchman\, Senator\, Vice Chair of the Education Committee and Agriculture & Natural Resources Committee\, Colorado State Senate. As a parent\, school board member of a 16\,000 student school district and largest employer in Loveland\, and now as a public school teacher\, Janice understands the needs of students and parents. She knows the challenges working families face to make ends meet\, and she empathizes with our retired neighbors who struggle to afford their property taxes and health care. Janice is dedicated to serving as a voice for Colorado’s working communities. In her role as an elected official\, Janice serves as a member of her community who understands what it means to struggle under financial hardship\, who has felt what it is like to be without representation\, and who will give a voice to the values of working families and parents. Janice is committed to supporting policies that address homelessness\, help those with behavioral health conditions\, address financial hardship\, develop jobs and living wages\, increase affording housing\, deliver quality health care for all\, and preserve our Colorado way of life.\nKendal Scott\, Outdoor Education Lead\, Nevada Department of Outdoor Recreation. Kendal Scott (she/her) is the Outdoor Education Lead for the Nevada Division of Outdoor Recreation\, where she manages the Nevada Outdoor Education & Recreation grant program and works to uplift outdoor education opportunities across the state. She has over a decade of experience developing outdoor environmental education programs and facilitating experiential learning for youth in California\, Nevada\, Utah\, Idaho\, Washington\, and Alaska. She received her MS in Parks\, Recreation & Tourism from the University of Utah and also holds a BS in Recreation Management. Kendal enjoys backpacking trips in search of wildflowers\, playing dress up in thrift stores\, snowboarding\, and paddling Western waters.\n\nIf you can’t join us live\, go ahead and register for the event\, and a recording will be sent to your inbox approximately 2 weeks after the event. URL:https://www.childrenandnature.org/event/change-is-coming-2024-youth-outdoor-policy-trends-2025-advocacy-strategies/ CATEGORIES:Webinar ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://eadn-wc04-796033.nxedge.io/wp-content/uploads/YOPP_Dec3_Socials_EVENTBRITE.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20241004T120000 DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20241004T130000 DTSTAMP:20250708T003007 CREATED:20240924T171158Z LAST-MODIFIED:20241115T224121Z UID:10000114-1728043200-1728046800@www.childrenandnature.org SUMMARY:An In-Depth Conversation on Key Takeaways and Implications of How Green Schoolyards Create Economic Value (Recording) DESCRIPTION: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 from C&NN. \nEconomic development\, public health\, and climate resilience professionals will gain insights into evidence from the first analysis of an urban\, public\, districtwide schoolyard conversion and the additional research encouraging a cross-sector rethink of 2 million acres of public land distributed across villages\, towns\, and cities. \nSpeakers: \n\nRobert Blaine\, Senior Executive and Director for the National League of Cities’ Leadership\, Education\, Advancement\, and Development (LEAD) Center\nPriya Cook\, Director\, Director\, Green Schoolyards and Communities\, Children & Nature Network\nRob Grunewald\, Economics and Public Policy Consultant\nJordan Twardy\, Economic Development Director\, City of Dearborn URL:https://www.childrenandnature.org/event/an-in-depth-conversation-on-key-takeaways-and-implications-of-how-green-schoolyards-create-economic-value/ LOCATION:Online Event CATEGORIES:Webinar ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://eadn-wc04-796033.nxedge.io/wp-content/uploads/10_4-NLC-Webinar-Title-Slide.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20240807T130000 DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20240807T140000 DTSTAMP:20250708T003007 CREATED:20240716T144530Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240817T035412Z UID:10000111-1723035600-1723039200@www.childrenandnature.org SUMMARY:Vitamin N: Inspiration & Innovative Strategies from Brazil / Vitamina N: Inspiração e Estratégias Inovadoras do Brasil (Recording) DESCRIPTION: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. \nNeed some inspiration? During this event Ana Carol Thomé\, Founder of Ser Criança é Natural will share innovative strategies she has developed to provide opportunities for all children in Brazil to connect with the natural world. She will be joined by Laís Fleury\, Head of Partnerships and Nature Portfolio at the Alana Foundation. Their conversation will leave you excited to incorporate new approaches and resources into your outdoor activities. \nYou’ll hear from: \n\nAna Carol Thomé Ana is a social entrepreneur and nature advocate who uses social media to inspire children across Brazil to develop positive and enduring relationships with nature. She promotes nature engagement through her website\, Instagram (@sercriancaenatural)\, Facebook and YouTube channel\, reaching a combined audience of over 159\,000 viewers. Thomé is the founder of the educational organization Ser Criança é Natural\, leading the field of children’s nature-related initiatives and content in Brazil. She also promotes nature-based education in schools through her “More Nature in Schools” program and “Nature Schools Network”. By guiding administrators and teachers on how they can create green spaces and outdoor classrooms. Learn more by reading her Inspiring Leaders profile.\nLaís Fleury Laís has 2 daughters\, more than twenty years of experience as a social entrepreneur and has been a Fellow of Ashoka Social Entrepreneurs since 2003. Over the last 9 years\, Laís has been working for Alana\, advocating for the right of every child to connect and have access to nature. She currently serves as the Head of Partnerships and Nature Portfolio at the Alana Foundation\, holds the position of Co-chair US for the global movement #Natureforall\, is part of the executive council of International School Groups Alliance (ISGA) and is part of the Expert Advisory Board of the Earthshot Prize. She also holds a postgraduate degree in the theme\,”The Time and Voice of Children: Anthropological and Poetic Listening to Childhood.”\n\nThis event is part of our Families Together in Nature program\, a series of events and resources to help parents and caregivers get out in nature! Our aim is to remove barriers\, offer inspiration and create community. Find more resources on our website and join the Families Together in Nature group on The Trailhead\, our free online community. It’s the place to share resources\, ideas\, questions\, insights – and to cheer each other on! \nPlease note: This event will be conducted in Portuguese\, with live English translation available. URL:https://www.childrenandnature.org/event/vitamin-n-inspiration-and-strategies-from-brazil/ LOCATION:Online Event CATEGORIES:Webinar ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://eadn-wc04-796033.nxedge.io/wp-content/uploads/FTiN_VitNheaders_EV@2x_V2.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20240426T130000 DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20240426T140000 DTSTAMP:20250708T003007 CREATED:20240308T051537Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240508T230612Z UID:10000108-1714136400-1714140000@www.childrenandnature.org SUMMARY:Just Grow! Gardening with Kids (Recording) DESCRIPTION: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! \nDuring this event Kashon DuBose\, Founder and Executive Director of Cultivators and Sonya Harris\, Master Gardener and Founder and CEO of The Bullock Garden Project will share the work they are doing with their communities\, hands-on gardening activities that parents\, caregivers and educators can facilitate with children – even if they have a small space and poor soil conditions\, and sage advice on how your family can get the most out of garden and farm projects. \nYou’ll hear from: \n\nKashon DuBose Kashon is the Founder and Executive Director of Cultivators\, a nonprofit that provides in-school\, after-school and community center programming for elementary and middle school students. He is also the chief operating officer at a nonprofit school support organization. A father of two\, Kashon strives to create a comfortable environment for children\, allowing them to express their interests in a safe space. A Bronx resident\, Kashon has experienced the power of nature in supporting his own emotional health and is passionate about sharing that with Bronx youth. \nSonya Harris Sonya is a Master Gardener\, former special education teacher\, and founder of the award-winning Bullock Children’s Garden in Swedesboro\, New Jersey. She established the nonprofit\, The Bullock Garden Project to assist schools and community organizations who serve youth who are at-risk\, receive special education services\, and/or are low-income or food insecure\, to establish gardens. These gardens not only teach across the curriculum but inspire careers as future green industry leaders. Sonya loves spending time gardening with children and teaching others how to grow healthy food at home. She is passionate about helping educators learn the fun and ease of incorporating garden-based education throughout the curriculum.\n\nLeave the event with a plan and desire to get your hands into some dirt! \nThis event is part of our Families Together in Nature program\, a series of events and resources to help parents and caregivers get out in nature! Our aim is to remove barriers\, offer inspiration and create community. Find more resources on our website and join the Families Together in Nature group on The Trailhead\, our free online community. It’s the place to share resources\, ideas\, questions\, insights – and to cheer each other on! URL:https://www.childrenandnature.org/event/just-grow-gardening-with-kids/ LOCATION:Online Event CATEGORIES:Webinar ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://eadn-wc04-796033.nxedge.io/wp-content/uploads/FTiN_JustgrowEVENTBRITEF.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20240223T130000 DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20240223T140000 DTSTAMP:20250708T003007 CREATED:20240131T222237Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240308T065657Z UID:10000107-1708693200-1708696800@www.childrenandnature.org SUMMARY:Babies\, Toddlers & Preschoolers in Nature (Recording) DESCRIPTION: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.  \nParents\, caregivers and early childhood educators can play an important role in enhancing young children’s connection with nature. In this event\, Alexis Burroughs\, Yoga and Meditation Teacher and certified Forest Therapy guide\, Jessica Carrillo Alatorre\, Executive Director of OutGrown and Gabriel Pickus\, Founder & Executive Director of InDiGO: Inward Discovery Grows Outdoors will share tips on how to prepare for the elements\, tangible tools for nature play\, whole-child centered learning with nature as the teacher\, how to facilitate a guided forest walk for your family or preschool class\, and more!  \nYou’ll hear from: \n\nAlexis Burroughs Alexis has a background in early childhood education and has been teaching children’s yoga for more than 10 years. And a Young Children’s Yoga and Movement method teacher training program is in the works. At her studio\, Funky Monkey Yoga\, she also teaches several adult classes including iRest® Yoga Nidra – a tool that may be helpful in healing from PTSD\, childhood trauma\, anxiety\, depression\, insomnia\, and stress. When she is not in her studio Alexis can be found outside. She is an Association of Nature and Forest Therapy (ANFT) certified guide who offers outdoor guiding & forest therapy guided walks to Families with young children and Preschool classes. \nJessica Carrillo Alatorre Jessica is the Executive Director of OutGrown (formerly Hike it Baby)\, a national\, community led nonprofit she has helped build from the ground up over the last decade with the goal of helping families of all kinds spend more time outside together. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Management and Organizational Leadership from George Fox University. Jessica is committed to building a future where the outdoors is a welcoming\, accessible space for all families to enjoy\, regardless of their identity or ability. It is her belief that by building towards a more welcoming and inclusive vision of the outdoors\, we can work towards a world where more people have the opportunity to fall in love with nature from birth and grow into people who work to protect the natural wonders of this planet we are all a part of.\nGabriel Pickus Gabriel is a visionary non-profit leader\, healing-centered educator\, intercultural bridge-builder and InDiGO‘s Founder and Director. He has strived toward social and educational justice with over one hundred organizations and thousands of young people across Baltimore City since 2009. As a trained community organizer and award-winning education reformer\, he has served in cross-sector initiatives for holistic education\, youth employment\, police accountability\, reducing youth incarceration\, clean water\, healthy parks\, and clean air. While directly serving Baltimore City’s youth and teachers in the classroom and out-of-school time\, he has advocated for systemic changes to the educational system that increase access to holistic and outdoor education through research\, professional development\, and policy advocacy.\n\nLeave the event feeling comfortable and empowered to get outside with your little ones! \nThis event is part of our Families Together in Nature program\, a series of events and resources to help parents and caregivers get out in nature! Our aim is to remove barriers\, offer inspiration and create community. Find more resources on our website and join the Families Together in Nature group on The Trailhead\, our free online community. It’s the place to share resources\, ideas\, questions\, insights – and to cheer each other on! URL:https://www.childrenandnature.org/event/babies-toddlers-preschoolers-in-nature/ LOCATION:Online Event CATEGORIES:Webinar ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://eadn-wc04-796033.nxedge.io/wp-content/uploads/FTiN_Feb24_graphic_EVENTBRITE-100.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20231129T130000 DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20231129T140000 DTSTAMP:20250708T003007 CREATED:20231107T150617Z LAST-MODIFIED:20231212T183705Z UID:10000054-1701262800-1701266400@www.childrenandnature.org SUMMARY:Trend Watch (Recording) DESCRIPTION: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 children and nature leaders.  \nModerated by Jesús Aguirre\, Board Chair of the Children & Nature Network\, and CEO of the Waterloo Greenway Conservancy this event features panelists Sarah Milligan-Toffler\, President and CEO of C&NN\, Dylan McDowell\, Executive Director for the National Caucus of Environmental Legislators\, Amanda O’Rourke\, Executive Director of 8 80 Cities. \nThis is a Member Appreciation Event. Not a Member of the Children & Nature Network? Join now!          URL:https://www.childrenandnature.org/event/trend-watch/ LOCATION:Online Event CATEGORIES:Member,Webinar ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://eadn-wc04-796033.nxedge.io/wp-content/uploads/MBR23_eventsocials_23-10-31_EB.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20230907T130000 DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20230907T140000 DTSTAMP:20250708T003007 CREATED:20230721T202346Z LAST-MODIFIED:20230920T154837Z UID:10000067-1694091600-1694095200@www.childrenandnature.org SUMMARY:Back to School with Nature: Supporting Social Emotional Learning and Academic Outcomes (Recording) DESCRIPTION: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 parents\, caregivers and educators can support inquiry and engagement in the outdoors will also be shared as well as how culture\, policies and inequalities play a role in a child’s ability to benefit from nature engagement. \nYou’ll hear from: \n\nJosé G. González. José is the Founder of Latino Outdoors and Co-Founder of the Outdoorist Oath. He is a professional educator with training in the fields of education and conservation while engaging in different artistic endeavors with art and messaging—often exploring the intersection of the environment and culture. As a Partner in the Avarna Group and through his own consulting\, his work focuses on Equity & Inclusion frameworks and practices in the environmental\, outdoor\, and conservation fields. He is also an illustrator and science communicator. He received his B.A at the University of California\, Davis\, and his M.S at the University of Michigan School of Natural Resources & Environment. \nCathy Jordan\, Ph.D. Cathy is the consulting Director of Research for the Children & Nature Network and directs the leadership development and sustainability education activities at the Institute on the Environment at the University of Minnesota\, where she is also professor of pediatrics in the Medical School. At the Children & Nature Network\, Cathy developed and oversees the Research Library and the monthly Research Digest. She works with C&NN staff to activate the research to inform policy and practice in communities. Cathy’s research focuses on the developmental\, learning and educational outcomes of nature-based learning and approaches to teacher professional development in nature-based learning.\nSheila Williams Ridge\, Ed.D. Sheila is the Director of the Child Development Laboratory School at the University of Minnesota and an instructor for the Institute of Child Development.  Her work focuses on early childhood environmental education and nature-based learning. She serves on the governing boards for the Natural Start Alliance\, the Minneapolis Nature Preschool\, Dodge Nature Center\, Monarch Joint Venture\, and Saint Paul City Schools. Sheila has a BA in Biology\, an MA in Education\, and an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership.\n\nBring a notebook and a snack and leave the event with tools that you and your student can use to help support social emotional learning and academic outcomes this fall. \nThis event is part of our Families Together in Nature program\, a series of events and resources to help parents and caregivers get out in nature! Our aim is to remove barriers\, offer inspiration and create community. Find more resources on our website and join the Families Together in Nature group on The Trailhead\, our free online community. It’s the place to share resources\, ideas\, questions\, insights – and to cheer each other on! URL:https://www.childrenandnature.org/event/back-to-school-with-nature-supporting-social-emotional-learning-and-academic-outcomes/ LOCATION:Online Event CATEGORIES:Webinar ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://eadn-wc04-796033.nxedge.io/wp-content/uploads/FTiN_Sept7_EVENTBRITE.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20230810T130000 DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20230810T140000 DTSTAMP:20250708T003007 CREATED:20230718T223938Z LAST-MODIFIED:20230818T205404Z UID:10000077-1691672400-1691676000@www.childrenandnature.org SUMMARY:Designing Community Strategies and Building Cross-Sector Teams (Recording) DESCRIPTION: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 these key areas. Through a conversation with leaders from the Cities Connecting Children to Nature (CCCN) initiative participants will learn about practical ideas for building a community team that incorporates diverse perspectives\, skills\, and backgrounds as well as strategies for achieving real and lasting change. The discussion will be followed by audience Q&A. \nParticipants interested in Nature Everywhere will also gain insights into their application and may consider watching the recording of the “Introduction to Nature Everywhere” virtual information session. URL:https://www.childrenandnature.org/event/esigning-community-strategies-and-building-cross-sector-teams/ LOCATION:Online Event CATEGORIES:Webinar ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://eadn-wc04-796033.nxedge.io/wp-content/uploads/NE_socials_23-6-26_EB.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20230726T140000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20230726T150000 DTSTAMP:20250708T003007 CREATED:20230703T223657Z LAST-MODIFIED:20230703T225335Z UID:10000106-1690380000-1690383600@www.childrenandnature.org SUMMARY:Lessons from Cities Around the World: Sustainability and Resilience through Green Schoolyards DESCRIPTION: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 into nature-filled spaces for learning and play\, and to enhance sustainable practices\, and climate resilience while improving health and education outcomes – especially for children most impacted by systems of inequity and environmental injustice. Join us to hear municipal leaders from across the globe gather to discuss lessons learned\, promising practices\, how greening schoolyards helps achieve multiple city goals\, and to have your questions answered. \nThis webinar is conducted by the Cities Connecting Children to Nature initiative\, a partnership between the National League of Cities and Children & Nature Network. Moderated by NLC CEO Clarence E. Anthony\, the event will feature leaders from Jundiaí\, Brazil and Antwerp\, Belgium plus leaders from CCCN cities in the US. URL:https://www.childrenandnature.org/event/lessons-from-cities-around-the-world-sustainability-and-resilience-through-green-schoolyards/ LOCATION:Online Event CATEGORIES:Webinar ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://eadn-wc04-796033.nxedge.io/wp-content/uploads/nlc-two-boys-at-community-garden-section-intro-image.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20230720T130000 DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20230720T140000 DTSTAMP:20250708T003007 CREATED:20230703T225142Z LAST-MODIFIED:20230818T205445Z UID:10000087-1689858000-1689861600@www.childrenandnature.org SUMMARY:Introduction to Nature Everywhere (Recording) DESCRIPTION: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 and the National League of Cities – about what it takes to achieve and scale transformational change. The session will also provide information about the Nature Everywhere application process and upcoming 2023 Vision Labs.\n \nModerated by Christian Alvarado\, Peer Learning Manager at the Children & Nature Network\, this event will feature a conversation between Monica Lopez Magee from the Children & Nature Network and Andrew Moore from the National League of Cities. \nWatch the recording of the “Designing Community Strategies and Building Cross-Sector Teams” virtual info session. This session features successful communities and their strategies for creating equitable access to nature and building diverse teams for effective systems change. URL:https://www.childrenandnature.org/event/introduction-to-nature-everywhere/ LOCATION:Online Event CATEGORIES:Webinar ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://eadn-wc04-796033.nxedge.io/wp-content/uploads/NE_socials_23-6-26_EB.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20230710T130000 DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20230710T140000 DTSTAMP:20250708T003007 CREATED:20230629T222637Z LAST-MODIFIED:20230718T170704Z UID:10000098-1688994000-1688997600@www.childrenandnature.org SUMMARY:Vitamin N with Richard Louv (Recording) DESCRIPTION:Join us July 10th at 1 pm CST for a conversation with author and Children & Nature Network co-founder\, Richard Louv. \nAbout this event\nJoin 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 a Nature-Rich Life: 500 Ways to Enrich Your Family’s Health & Happiness\,” and get inspired to complete your own #VitaminNChallenge\, made possible by Nature’s Way.  \n“Vitamin N” is a one-of-a-kind\, comprehensive\, and practical guidebook for the whole family and the wider community\, including tips not only for parents eager to share nature with their kids but also for those seeking nature-smart schools\, medical professionals\, and even careers. It is a dose of pure inspiration\, reminding us that looking up at the stars or taking a walk in the woods is as exhilarating as it is essential\, at any age. \nAttend this event with Richard Louv for your dose of Vitamin N. It is a complete prescription for connecting with the power and joy of the natural world right now! He’ll also talk about actions he has learned about since the publication of “Vitamin N” — and a few from the book he is working on right now. \nThis inspiring discussion will be followed by audience Q&A. URL:https://www.childrenandnature.org/event/vitamin-n-with-richard-louv/ LOCATION:Online Event CATEGORIES:Webinar ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://eadn-wc04-796033.nxedge.io/wp-content/uploads/FiTN_Jul10socials_EVENTBRITE.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20230606T130000 DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20230606T140000 DTSTAMP:20250708T003007 CREATED:20230414T213519Z LAST-MODIFIED:20230718T170605Z UID:10000100-1686056400-1686060000@www.childrenandnature.org SUMMARY:Family Time in Nature (Recording) DESCRIPTION: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?” \nYou’ll hear from: \n\nDenice Rochelle Denice is Founder and Director of The Bronze Chapter\, a nonprofit organization that creates community at the intersection of identity and the outdoors. The Bronze Chapter re-connects Black\, Indigenous and other people of color to the natural world through outdoor skill-sharing and recreation. \nHeather Kuhlken Heather is Founder and Executive Director of Families in Nature. The vision of Families in Nature is to inspire ALL families to fall in love with nature and foster the next generation of conservationists. They strive to engage families of all backgrounds with children of all ages.\n\nFamily Time in Nature is part of our Families Together in Nature program\, a series of events and resources to help parents and caregivers get out in nature! Our aim is to remove barriers\, offer inspiration and create community. If you haven’t seen it yet\, check out Self-Care in Nature\, the first event of the series.  \nStay tuned for our next event in early September: Back to School With Nature – Social Emotional Learning & Academic Outcomes. We will discuss how time in nature helps with improving academic outcomes and how to integrate nature into the curriculum and learning environment. \nJoin the Families Together in Nature group on The Trailhead\, our free online community. It’s the place to share resources\, ideas\, questions\, insights – and to cheer each other on! URL:https://www.childrenandnature.org/event/family-time-in-nature/ LOCATION:Online Event CATEGORIES:Webinar ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://eadn-wc04-796033.nxedge.io/wp-content/uploads/FTiN_June6event_EVENTBRITE.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20221117T130000 DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20221117T140000 DTSTAMP:20250708T003007 CREATED:20221004T193216Z LAST-MODIFIED:20221214T193513Z UID:10000104-1668690000-1668693600@www.childrenandnature.org SUMMARY:Building - and Rebuilding - a Movement (Recording) DESCRIPTION:What does building a movement mean and\, once the momentum is there\, how do we evolve and respond to meet changing needs? This conversation brings together Marlow Baines\, Youth Director for Earth Guardians\, and Richard Carlbom\, co-founder and partner of United Strategies\, to share their successes and challenges\, and discuss what it takes to sustain meaningful change. \nUnder Marlow’s direction\, Earth Guardians — an NGO working to empower youth leaders at the intersection of environmental and climate justice — was able to dismantle and rebuild its infrastructure to solidify youth-centered leadership. Through Marlow’s efforts to elevate the voices of her peers and after a long\, coordinated effort of the Earth Guardians Youth Council to engage in anti-racism work\, the organization took a giant leap forward in 2021\, evolving from a U.S. based nonprofit organization to a truly global NGO. As Youth Director\, Marlow helped implement the vision of the Earth Guardians Youth Council and redefine the role of youth leadership within the organization. She currently leads the Choose Action Now campaign\, empowering youth leaders ages 15-30 to take action in their local communities. \nRichard served as the Campaign Manager of Minnesotans United for All Families\, the official ‘Vote No’ campaign that helped Minnesota become the first state in the nation to defeat a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage. The $13 million effort proved to be the largest grassroots campaign in Minnesota history. After successfully securing the Freedom to Marry in Minnesota\, Richard served as the Director of State Campaigns for the national Freedom to Marry campaign. Overseeing a 34 state public engagement and education strategy\, Richard traveled to 28 states to provide support to local leaders trying to secure marriage equality. Richard brought his first-hand knowledge of research and strategy to the table\, paired with his work to help pioneer long-form conversation-based campaigns that changed the hearts and minds of individuals when it came to their support for marriage equality. \nThis inspiring discussion will be followed by audience Q&A. \nOur Fall Inside-Out Leadership series hosts conversations between people with similar experiences working to address similar problems\, but in different spaces or with different approaches. Our aim is to make these conversations interdisciplinary\, intergenerational and perhaps a bit unexpected\, connecting leaders who might not otherwise be connected to share their points of view and demonstrate commonalities. Visit our events page to learn about other upcoming events! URL:https://www.childrenandnature.org/event/building-and-rebuilding-a-movement/ LOCATION:Online Event CATEGORIES:Events,Inside Out Leadership Series,Webinar ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://eadn-wc04-796033.nxedge.io/wp-content/uploads/IO22_NOV17Event_graphics_22-9-13__Eventbrite-Laurie-Rich.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20221013T130000 DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20221013T140000 DTSTAMP:20250708T003007 CREATED:20220913T222626Z LAST-MODIFIED:20221214T193538Z UID:10000105-1665666000-1665669600@www.childrenandnature.org SUMMARY:Nature's Power in Healing Trauma (Recording) DESCRIPTION:How can nature and outdoor access support healing? With today’s youth facing a growing mental health crisis\, this conversation will focus on how nature-based activities and therapies can support children and young people’s well-being and help them recover from trauma. We will hear from Dr. Hanaa Hamdi and Kimiko Russell-Halterman who are both working in different spaces connected to this topic. \nDr. Hamdi has more than two decades of experience in public health administration\, research and community development practice. She is committed to advancing health equity across underserved populations through comprehensive and holistic approaches —including integrating nature everywhere people live\, learn\, pray and play. Dr. Hamdi serves on the Children & Nature Network board of directors. \nKimiko Russell-Halterman is the Environmental Educator for Brown Girl Surf\, who works to build a more diverse\, environmentally reverent\, and joyful women’s\, girl’s\, and gender expansive surf culture by increasing access to surfing\, cultivating community\, amplifying the voices of surfers of color\, and taking care of the earth. She is also currently pursuing graduate studies focusing on equity and justice in environmental & outdoor education. Kimiko attended UCSB\, where she studied Environmental Science and Education\, fell in love with teaching\, learned to surf and spent as much time as possible playing in the sea. \nThis inspiring discussion will be followed by audience Q&A. \nOur Fall Inside-Out Leadership series hosts conversations between people with similar experiences working to address similar problems\, but in different spaces or with different approaches. Our aim is to make these conversations interdisciplinary\, intergenerational and perhaps a bit unexpected\, connecting leaders who might not otherwise be connected to share their points of view and demonstrate commonalities. Visit our events page to learn about other upcoming events! URL:https://www.childrenandnature.org/event/natures-power-in-healing-trauma/ LOCATION:Online Event CATEGORIES:Events,Inside Out Leadership Series,Webinar ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://eadn-wc04-796033.nxedge.io/wp-content/uploads/IO22_OCT13Event_graphics_22-9-13__Eventbrite.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20220921T120000 DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20220921T130000 DTSTAMP:20250708T003007 CREATED:20220829T200020Z LAST-MODIFIED:20221019T154743Z UID:10000089-1663761600-1663765200@www.childrenandnature.org SUMMARY:Connecting Children to Nature and Sustainability and Resilience Initiatives DESCRIPTION:  \nTowns and cities have an opportunity to reprioritize resources to foster children’s connection to nature connections while meeting sustainability and resilience goals. \nMore than ever\, our towns and cities are at the front line of the climate crisis facing growing risks from extreme heat\, sea level rise\, and flooding from storms and excessive rainfall. In response\, local governments are taking important steps to become more resilient through sustainability measures that lower their emissions as well as through investments in green infrastructure and nature-based solutions to reduce risk\, with increased support from state and federal loans and grants. As towns and cities begin to reprioritize their budgets towards sustainability and resilience\, the projects that result from these investments present invaluable opportunities to foster children-nature connections. Children with regular access to nature gain multiple forms of support for healthy development through active outdoor play and learning to redress the “nature deficit disorder” that has resulted from too much childhood time spent inside. \nCities Connecting Children to Nature initiative (CCCN) and Regional Plan Association (RPA) recently conducted a review of local and state resilience and sustainability plans and interviewed municipal officials and stakeholders throughout the New York metropolitan region to determine effective ways to bridge goals of resilience\, sustainability\, and children-nature connections. \nPlanning\, sustainability\, resilience\, and other municipal professionals in the tri-state area are invited to hear from city leaders who have been integrating children’s nature connection into their sustainability and resilience planning and a discussion of how you can make similar connections in your community. \nNOTE: This event is targeted toward municipal professionals in the tri-state area (New York\, New Jersey and Connecticut). URL:https://www.childrenandnature.org/event/connecting-children-to-nature-and-sustainability-and-resilience-initiatives/ LOCATION:Online Event CATEGORIES:Webinar ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://eadn-wc04-796033.nxedge.io/wp-content/uploads/iStock-939499362-scaled.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20201028T120000 DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20201028T130000 DTSTAMP:20250708T003007 CREATED:20201007T041800Z LAST-MODIFIED:20230526T125802Z UID:10000063-1603886400-1603890000@www.childrenandnature.org SUMMARY:Webinar: Integrating Youth Development and Nature Can Help Youth in Reach Their Full Potential DESCRIPTION:Integrating youth development programs and nature experiences amplifies the benefits of each and produces new opportunities for youth to reach their full potential. Join Search Institute\, C&NN and community-based leaders from Grand Rapids\, MN and Atlanta\, GA to explore “what works” in supporting young people’s growth and development and to consider learning that might be useful to enhance programs and practice. The webinar will include research findings and grounding from a year-long ground truthing with community-based organizations. URL:https://www.childrenandnature.org/event/webinar-integrating-youth-development-and-nature-can-help-youth-in-reach-their-full-potential/ LOCATION:Online Networking CATEGORIES:Webinar ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://eadn-wc04-796033.nxedge.io/wp-content/uploads/boys-outside.jpg END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR