Children & Nature Network

“Are God and Mother Nature married, or just good friends?” So asked Matthew, the son of author and Children & Nature Network’s co-founder, Richard Louv, at the age of five years old. Louv writes: “Great question. Most religious traditions, especially in Indigenous cultures, intimately or actively offer ways to discover the divine in the natural world. Some people worship nature. Others consider such worship blasphemous, or detect nothing. Most of us are less direct. Just beyond the veil of rain, we sense a presence for which we have no name. “Since the publication of ‘Last Child in the Woods’ in 2005, I’ve been surprised and impressed by the support that many religious leaders of all faiths, and nonbelievers as well— and from very different political persuasions—have offered to the growing movement to connect people, especially children, to the natural world. “ Read more of Richard Louv’s musings on spirituality and nature in this article. Join the movement with our #VitaminNChallenge, inspired by Louv’s book “Vitamin N: The Essential Guide to a Nature-Rich Life.” https://bit.ly/3Zop49f #NatureDeficitDisorder #RichardLouv #Religion #MotherNature #ChildrenAndNature

Since 2019, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, has been on a mission to replace asphalt-heavy schoolyards with educational green spaces. The city’s secret? A close partnership between the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District and Milwaukee nonprofit Reflo. By incorporating landscape design elements like bioswales (vegetated depressions in the land) and native plants, these play spaces double as green stormwater management infrastructure. Quotes from the article highlight the fantastic opportunity that Milwaukee’s partnership model presents for peer learning. https://bit.ly/3XHnH4b #MilwaukeeWI #GreenSpaces #GreeningSchools #LandscapeDesign #Schoolyards #ChildrenAndNature

How can nature serve as a pathway for healing from Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)? This infographic illustrates how nature-based interventions can help children and families recover from Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACES). It includes evidence-based therapeutic strategies and outcomes that support children’s health and well-being. To view the full infographic and explore other resources on how nature can help heal, visit our website! https://bit.ly/3C1kNME #ACEs #BenefitsofNature #PowerofNature #NatureTherapy #Healing #ChildrenAndNature

Go outside and kick off those shoes! Now, peel off those socks. Find some grass… Step into it… Ahhh… Feel that relief! Today’s #VitaminNChallenge is all about “earthing” or “grounding” – connecting with the earth, which has proven health benefits. Feeling extra bold? Try stepping into dirt (or maybe even some mud!) and notice the difference in sensation. Let the earth hold your feet, take in the pressure points, and be present. Share this with someone who you think would take this challenge with you! https://bit.ly/3b44Bzl #VitaminNChallenge #Outdoors #Grounding #Earthing #OptOutside #ChildrenAndNature

We recently had the opportunity to visit 21 Roots Farm, where youth and adults with developmental disabilities get to spend quality time hugging goats, harvesting fruits and veggies, and stretching in the fresh air and sunshine. This time on the farm gives them a strong connection to nature — as well as new friendships, a sense of purpose and opportunity for autonomy. As farm founder Amy Peterson told us, “Nature is therapeutic, being outside is super healing — for any population of people.” Learn more about the farm’s innovative programs in our most recent edition of Finding Nature News 🌾 https://bit.ly/3B1DQbK Care Farming Network #FindingNatureNews #ThisIsCareFarming #CareFarmingUSA #CareFarm #CareFarming #WorkLearnGrow #CareFarmInEveryCounty #ChildrenAndNature

Eighty-six percent of current fishing participants in the U.S. first fished before the age of 12, underscoring the critical importance of youth engagement for fostering lasting interest. This stat comes from the Outdoor Industry Association’s 2023 Special Report on Fishing, produced by the Outdoor Foundation and the Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation (RBFF). Check out our Finding Nature News Stat Sheet to learn more about youth engagement in water-based recreation. https://bit.ly/3xYhiVZ Outdoor Industry Association Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation #WaterBasedRecreation #YouthEngagement #FindingNatureNews #Recreation #ThriveOutside #OutdoorFoundation #TakeMeFishing #FindYourBestSelf #WaveMaker #ChildrenAndNature

On National Public Lands Day (September 28), all federally protected lands are free to visit. This breaks down a barrier to nature access, especially for families who may not be able to afford to access our public lands. Thanks to the Every Kid Outdoors (EKO) program, fourth graders and their families can access national parks and other federally managed lands for free, for an entire year! This program, founded by OAK (Outdoor Alliance for Kids), helps more children experience the wonders of nature across the country. Join us from September 3 to October 5 in our efforts to get more children and families experiencing the benefits and joys of the great outdoors 🍂 https://bit.ly/3TmSQav North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE) #EveryKidOutdoors #NationalParks #EquitableAccess #FourthGrade #ChildrenAndNature

It can be tough to find nature in the hustle and bustle of city life, but it’s not impossible! Inspired by Richard Louv’s book, “Vitamin N: The Essential Guide to a Nature-Rich Life,” mother and artist Marghanita Hughes decided to put this advice to the test right in the heart of the city. In this article, Marghanita shares her journey of discovering nature in the city, from exploring local parks to going barefoot, to simply being playful. The Vitamin N Challenge, brought to you by Nature’s Way, is happening now, and it’s not too late to join! Check out her 6 tips for finding nature in the city here. https://bit.ly/3Q62yKD 📸: Marghanita Hughes, https://bit.ly/3MCJILg #VitaminNChallenge #ChildrenandNature #VitaminN #FindingNature #IlluminationArt #HealingArt #NatureConnected #EcoArt #OkanaganArt #InspiredByNature #NatureInspiredArt #ChildrenInNature

At 21 Roots Farm, youth and adult farmers with developmental disabilities participate in a variety of agricultural activities — caring for chickens, planting and harvesting CSA gardens and making apple cider. Along the way, they develop friendships, connect with a sense of purpose and absorb the many, transformative benefits of nature. Check out this week’s feature article in Finding Nature News to learn about the farm’s Work Experience and Leadership program, in which adult farmers receive a stipend to not only help care for the animals and run the 21 Roots Farm CSA program, but also train the farm’s newest crop of leaders. https://bit.ly/3B1DQbK Care Farming Network #FindingNatureNews #ThisIsCareFarming #CareFarmingUSA #CareFarm #CareFarming #WorkLearnGrow #CareFarmInEveryCounty #ChildrenAndNature

Tomorrow! Don’t miss out on a free online webinar, “Global Lessons on Greening School Grounds” with Brenda Kessler, Project Manager at the Children & Nature Network, and three international partners working on greening school grounds in their communities: 🐛 Joaquín Felipe Leguía Orezzoli, Executive Director of ANIA (Asociación para la Niñez y su Ambiente - ANIA) 🦫 Hannah Miller, Evergreen Canada, Canada’s Climate Ready Schools program 🌷 Ian Mostert, IVN, Instituut voor natuureducatie, Green Blue Schoolyards program WHEN: September 4, 2024, at 2 p.m. CT WHERE: Online – Free! There is growing momentum worldwide to scale school ground greening as a sensible and thoughtful approach to increase climate resilience, enhance biodiversity, improve health and education outcomes, and strengthen communities, especially for those most impacted by systems of inequity and environmental injustices. Mounting scientific evidence suggests that transforming school grounds into nature-rich environments is a powerful tool to achieve multiple benefits. Register for free to hear from change-makers across the globe and see how they’ve scaled greening school grounds efforts that support learning, playing, community engagement, and climate resilience. https://bit.ly/4ecKGK3 Texas Children in Nature Network #GreeningSchoolgrounds #GreenSchools #ChildrenInNature #Schools #ChildrenAndNature