C&NN News Center
The C&NN news center offers access to the latest media coverage of the children and nature movement. This ever-expanding archive connects leaders and organizers, parents, youth, civic leaders, educators and health-care providers to a growing body of articles dating back to 2007. For a comprehensive C&NN database search, use the advanced search feature to scan news center articles, C&NN's annotated research bibliographies, and the C&NN blog.
subscribe to C&NN RSS feedsOfficials Present Options for Washington State Parks
By Susan Schell
Peninsula Gateway
March 09, 2010
Representatives from the Washington State Parks system are presenting community members with plans for ways to improve the parks and attract more visitors. One of the proposals, Outdoor Activity and Play, promotes recreational avenues for children and adults in order to improve health and combat nature-deficit disorder. [+]
Celebrate National Wildlife Week Starting March 15
March 14, 2010
The theme of this year's National Wildlife Week is Be Out There at Home, School, and Play. Part of the National Wildlife Federation’s Be Out There movement, National Wildlife Week celebrates the development of happier, healthier kids with a lifelong appreciation of nature. [+]
Despite Competition, Camps More Popular Now
By Winton Ross
American Way
March 01, 2010
Attendance at camps across America isn't shrinking, despite studies showing that the average young person now spends nearly eight hours a day plugged into some sort of electronic media. In fact, attendance at camps nationwide has grown by an average of one to three percent per year over the past several years. [+]
Harris Center Puts New Emphasis on Outdoors
By Casey Farrar
The Keene Sentinel
March 08, 2010
A two-hour family snowshoe trek hosted by New Hampshire's Harris Center for Conservation Education is one example of how officials at the center are working to find new ways to get kids engaged with nature. This greater emphasis on outdoor activity is a direct result of the center's involvement with the three-year-old New Hampshire Children in Nature Coalition. [+]
Classes Introduce Families to the Joys of Camping
By Chris Young
(Illinois) State Journal-Register
March 12, 2010
While many families recognize the benefits of outdoor time, especially for children, the prospect of camping can be intimidating for some. Fortunately, there are now programs like the Macon County, Illinois, Let's Go Camping nights designed to tutor newcomers in the basics of camping. [+]
New and Expanded Coyote’s Guide to Connecting with Nature, 2nd Edition
OWLink Media
March 08, 2010
Expanded material provides new methods of mentoring children in nature. The second edition is more comprehensive and features beautiful full color photographs, a comprehensive index, and color codes that link the principles and activities for easier navigation. Hailed by Richard Louv, author of Last Child in the Woods, as “good medicine for nature-deficit disorder.” Visit www.naturementoring.com to learn more about the 2nd edition and take advantage of a limited-time offer.
[+]
New Study Finds Young People Mixed on Climate Change
Yale Project on Climate Change
March 02, 2010
A new survey finds young adults to be less concerned about and preoccupied with global warming than older generations but also slightly more likely to believe that global warming is caused by human factors. "The Climate Change Generation?: Survey Analysis of the Perceptions and Beliefs of Young Americans" is based on research by the Yale Project on Climate Change and George Mason University. [+]
Congressional Reception for Hispanics Living Green Book
By Nicholas Mukhar
Sierra Club
February 18, 2010
A new book called Hispanics Living Green details the community- and family-based relationship between Hispanic culture and the earth through stories of people who have steered environmental action away from individualism. The book includes an organic farmer, Chris Velez, who has accepted the need of balance between conventional agriculture and organic farming, Sierra Club columnist Javier Sierra and Juan Martinez, C&NN Natural Leader Coordinator and others. A Congressional reception for the book will be held in Washington on March 17. [+]
Higher Park Fees a Threat to Connecticut NCLI Program
By Regine Labossiere
Hartford Courant
March 06, 2010
Supporters and activists involved with the Connecticut state park system are rallying to protest fee increases that they fear will endanger programs meant to attract residents to the outdoors. The state's successful No Child Left Inside program, which aims to connect all families to the outdoors, is considered particularly vulnerable. [+]
Summer Camp and Connecting Kids with Nature
By Mellisa Yollick
Canada Camps for Parents
March 02, 2010
The latest issue of Canada Camps for Parents, an annual guide to the country's summer camps, features an informative article on the importance of connecting kids with nature and using camp as a way to encourage this. As writer Mellisa Yollick explains, "Environmental education starts by exposing children at an early age to nature, learning to love it on their own terms.... At summer camp, nature abounds and environmental learning can be absorbed." [+]
NWF Releases State Policy Solutions Guide
By Allen Cooper
National Wildlife Federation
February 23, 2010
From the issuing of special proclamations to the training of teachers in environmental science, there are numerous actions that state policymakers can take to reconnect children and families with nature. The National Wildlife Federation has compiled a guide to help states develop comprehensive plans that coordinate all the policy tools at their disposal. [+]
James Cameron: We All Suffer from Nature-Deficit Disorder
By Deborah Schoeneman
Huffington Post
February 24, 2010
At a recent benefit for the Natural Resources Defense Council, director James Cameron talked about trying to change people's perceptions about the natural world though the blockbuster Avatar. Cameron described himself as a "nature geek" and told the audience at the fundraiser that we all suffer from nature-deficit disorder. [+]
New UK Report Details Ten Priorities for Action
University of Essex
February 25, 2010
There's growing evidence that contact with nature and the physical activity related to this contact affect not only children's well-being in the present but also their health in later life. To encourage more such contact, the Interdisciplinary Centre for Environment and Society at the University of Essex in England has released "Nature, Childhood, Health and Life Pathways," a report that describes ten priorities for policy action to improve the well-being of both children and adults. [+]
North Texas Parks to Offer Camping Classes
Texas Parks and Wildlife
February 25, 2010
Five state parks in north Texas will host Texas Outdoor Family workshops this spring to familiarize families with the outdoors and teach them how to tent camp, cook outdoors, and get the most out of their outdoor experience. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department program is designed to combat nature-deficit disorder, and it has taught hundreds of families throughout the state since its start in 2008. [+]
British Study Attributes Nature Disconnect to Parents’ Fears
By Julie Henry
The Telegraph
February 20, 2010
British researchers have found that parents tend to limit family excursions to the countryside because of their own fears. The countryside, it seems, is out of the comfort zone of many affluent, suburban parents today. [+]
Growing in Place Symposium Coming March 5
Natural Learning Initiative
February 16, 2010
How can we plan and design a public realm where children find the physical and social stimulation necessary for healthy human development in consonance with the culture and ecology of the places where they live? That's the question participants will address in the Growing in Place Symposium to be held March 5 in Raleigh, North Carolina. [+]
Environmental Charter School to Open in Rhode Island
By Eileen M. Daley
Jamestown (RI) Press
February 18, 2010
Inspired by Richard Louv's Last Child in the Woods, educators in Rhode Island are creating a new charter high school open to students from across the state. The curriculum at the Greene School will focus on environmental research in a real-world setting while still meeting or exceeding all of the state education requirements, as well as standard college admission requirements. [+]
Florida Wants Network of Youth Conservation Centers
Washington Country (FL) News
February 18, 2010
Members of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission would like to establish a statewide network of conservation centers that will provide opportunities for young people to participate in outdoor activities and strengthen their connections with and support for fish and wildlife conservation. As one commissioner put it, "We hope to create the next generation of outdoor recreation enthusiasts and conservationists who will continue the work of protecting our wildlife and natural habitats." [+]
Blank Foundation Hosts Live Webcast with Richard Louv
PRNewswire
February 08, 2010
The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation Speaker Series will host a live webcast with author Richard Louv on February 16. The foundation has also announced that it will be committing up to $200,000 in 2010 for new grant investments to help children engage with the outdoors. [+]
Colorado Outdoors Bill Clears Another Hurdle
State Bill Colorado
February 08, 2010
The Colorado Kids Outdoors Program legislation has passed out of the state's House education committee by a vote of 9-3. The legislation aims to create programs that will educate all Colorado kids on environmental and outdoor issues by taking them outside to experience these first-hand. [+]
Urban Design a Key to Fighting Childhood Obesity
By Megan McConville
The City Fix
February 11, 2010
First Lady Michelle Obama's Let's Move campaign is a smart, multipronged approach to battling childhood obesity. Planners and public health advocates, however, might notice one missing piece: targeted active community design strategies can be highly effective in integrating activity into the everyday lives of children. [+]
Green Teacher Devotes Latest Issue to Nature-Deficit Disorder
Green Teacher
February 07, 2010
Green Teacher, a magazine that helps youth educators enhance environmental education inside and outside of schools, devotes its latest issue to nature-deficit disorder and the ways teachers can help connect their students to nature. Included is a critical appraisal of the impact that Last Child in the Woods has had on teaching. [+]
Salazar Unveils New “Youth in the Great Outdoors” Initiative
Department of the Interior
February 08, 2010
Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar emphasized the importance of connecting young people with nature when he proposed significant expansion of the Youth in the Great Outdoors initiative. “The future of America’s treasured landscapes depends upon the next generation’s understanding of and connection to the great outdoors," said Salazar. As part of his FY 2011 budget proposal, Salazar is requesting large increases in education and recreation programs that engage youth of all ages. [+]
Groups Ask First Lady to Include “Outdoor in Nature” Component
Children & Nature Network
February 04, 2010
In the wake of First Lady Michelle Obama's announcement that she will be leading a special nationwide initiative to combat childhood obesity, a number of organizations have written her an open letter urging this initiative to include an “outdoors in nature” component. The National Wildlife Federation, the Sierra Club, and the Children & Nature Network are among the groups that signed the letter. [+]
Progress Made on NDD, But Not Enough
By Bill Schneider
NewWest
February 04, 2010
Conservationists are applauding President Obama's inclusion of funding for environmental literacy in his recent budget request. This represents progress, says outdoor journalist Bill Schneider, but it will take much more to win the fight against nature-deficit disorder. [+]
EcoHearth: How to Enjoy Nature with Your Kids
By Kim Ridley
EcoHearth
January 17, 2010
Journalist Kim Ridley has compiled a list of tips to help families connect with nature. Her article also includes pointers to online resources such as the National Audubon Society's guide to creating a healthy yard for attracting wildlife. [+]
Des Moines Park to Feature Natural Play Area
By Lisa Lavia Ryan
Des Moines Register
February 05, 2010
A northeast Des Moines park soon will be the first in the city that uses the local environment to create a natural playscape. The redesigned park will include a labyrinth made from bushes, a small tunnel, and a log course. According to a supervisor at the parks department, the overall goal of the redo is to encourage unstructured play. [+]
U.S. Surgeon General Advocates Outdoor Play
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
January 28, 2010
In her first release to the nation, Surgeon General Regina Benjamin is encouraging communities to build and enhance infrastructures to support more walking and bicycling, and to improve the safety of neighborhoods to facilitate outdoor physical activity. The Surgeon General’s Vision for a Healthy and Fit Nation highlights the alarming trend of obesity in this country, especially among young people, and asks all Americans to join her in a grassroots effort to commit to changes that promote the health and wellness of our families and communities. [+]
Colorado Lt. Gov. Releases Kids Outdoors Report
Colorado.gov
January 21, 2010
Colorado Lieutenant Governor Barbara O’Brien has issued a report that outlines some of the barriers that prevent Colorado kids from spending time in the outdoors and recommends next steps for removing those barriers. At the same time, two Colorado state legislators have introduced a bill that will help reconnect kids with nature through science-based education and direct experience of the outdoors. [+]
NEEF Fact Sheet Represents a Useful Resource
National Environmental Education Foundation
January 24, 2010
The National Environmental Education Foundation has published a Children's Health and Nature Fact Sheet that summarizes research on the current state of children's health, the benefits of nature time, and recommendations for reconnecting children and nature. The fact sheet is part of the NEEF's larger Children and Nature Initiative to improve the mental and physical well-being of young people through outdoor activity. [+]
$1.6 Million Schoolyard Garden Coming to Brooklyn
By Kim Severson
New York Times
January 19, 2010
The New York Times reported recently on plans to create the first New York affiliate of the Edible Schoolyard program at P.S. 216 in Brooklyn. Administrators hope the garden, which will feature a kitchen classroom, a chicken coop, a composting system, and even a movable greenhouse, will help the school become a center for the study of the environment and agriculture. [+]
Generation M2: Media in the Lives of 8- to 18-Year-Olds
A national survey by the Kaiser Family Foundation found that the amount of time young people spend with entertainment media has risen dramatically, especially among minority youth. [+]
Albuquerque Passes No Child Left Inside Resolution
Democracy for New Mexico
January 21, 2010
The Albuquerque City Council has offered its unanimous support for the Leave No Child Inside Coalition of New Mexico. The coalition brings together nearly 150 organizations and individuals in the state that are trying to combat nature-deficit disorder. [+]
New Study Finds Kids Plugged-In 7.5 Hours a Day
By Tamar Lewin
New York Times
January 20, 2010
The average young American now spends practically every waking minute—except for the time in school—using a smart phone, computer, television, or other electronic device, according to a new study from the Kaiser Family Foundation. The study also found a link between heavy media use and several negatives, including behavior problems and lower grades. [+]
Michelle Obama to Launch Childhood Obesity Effort
By Robin Givhan
Washington Post
January 21, 2010
First Lady Michelle Obama will soon launch a major initiative to combat childhood obesity. As she told a recent meeting of the U.S. Conference of Mayors, the initiative will combine the resources of the federal government with the local efforts of mayors, the knowledge gathered by foundations, and the tireless foot soldiers from nonprofit organizations. [+]
Bateman Named Honourary Chair of Canadian Alliance
Children and Nature Alliance
January 12, 2010
Artist and conservationist Robert Bateman has joined Richard Louv as an Honourary Chair of the Child and Nature Alliance. One of Canada’s best know artists and a spokesman for many environmental and preservation issues, Bateman brings a wealth of knowledge in philanthropy, education, and creativity to the role. [+]
NPR: Does Spending Time Outdoors Prevent Myopia?
By Joseph Shapiro
NPR
January 11, 2010
As the percentage of nearsighted Americans grows, researchers continue their search for a possible cause. One recently published article suggests that the amount of time children spend outdoors could be a factor. [+]
Arizona Republic Calls for Support of Get Outdoors Initiative
Arizona Republic
January 04, 2010
The editorial board of the Arizona Republic has offered an enthusiastic endorsement of the Be Outdoors Arizona initiative: "Be Outdoors Arizona can be a powerful way to reconnect children with our natural wonderland. It deserves support and participation." [+]
New York Playground Designed to Combat Nature-Deficit Disorder
By Tobin Hack
Big Think
December 30, 2009
The principal landscape architect of a new $3.8 million playground in New York City is being congratulated for consulting experts in cognitive development before deciding where to plant trees in the new state-of-the-art park. The experts noted that kids respond more creatively to natural environments than to excessively groomed ones, so the architect responded with a more complex layout to foster imaginative play. [+]
“Nature Starvation” Worries British Royal Society
By Paul Casciato
Reuters Life
January 07, 2010
The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, Europe's largest wildlife conservation charity, says it has uncovered a worrying trend of "nature starvation" among young Britons. The society surveyed 1,000 people, and found that only a third of those under 35 feel connected to the natural world, compared with more than half of those over 35. [+]
New American Doll Aims to Get Girls Outdoors
By Honey Berk
Parent Dish
December 30, 2009
American Doll has created a new doll to help encourage girls to spend more time outdoors and connect with nature. The company partnered with the National Wildlife Federation to develop free classroom curriculum materials to support the effort. [+]
USA Today: Books on Raising Nature-Loving Kids
By Wendy Koch
USA Today
January 08, 2010
USA Today reporter Wendy Koch recently introduced readers to a number of books written to help parents raise children who love the outdoors. The Green Hour: A Daily Dose of Nature for Happier, Healthier, Smarter Kids and Grow Your Own Tree Hugger were among the books reviewed. [+]
Women to Fight Nature-Deficit Disorder with Garden
By Brian Babcock
Saratoga News
January 05, 2010
Two women in the Northern California city of Saratoga are trying to battle nature-deficit disorder in their community by developing a children's garden. The project is tentatively called the Saratoga Creek Heritage Farm and Garden, and has the preliminary approval of the local city council. [+]
Sesame Street Kicks Off Nature-Filled Season
By Ker Than
National Geographic News
November 09, 2009
Sesame Street is celebrating its 40th anniversary with a two-year environmental "curriculum" that aims to educate children about the wonders of the natural world and teach them about concepts such as habitats, hibernation, and migration. As one of the people responsible for the program put it, "We want kids to know there's nature in their neighborhoods" no matter where they live. [+]
Nature-Deficit Disorder Tops List of Important Stories
By Bill Schneider
NewWest
December 31, 2009
Journalist Bill Schneider has compiled his list of the important outdoor stories of 2009. In terms of long-term significance, he says, "my pick for the top story of not only 2009 but also of the 21st century is the pandemic of nature-deficit disorder, a term so aptly coined by Richard Louv in his best-selling outdoor book, Last Child in the Woods." [+]
Children and Nature Focus of Developmental Journal
Journal of the Developmental Processes
January 02, 2010
The Journal of the Developmental Processes devotes its latest issue to the subject of children and nature. The collection of articles brings together multiple disciplines, methodologies, and cultural perspectives to examine the when, how, where, and why of children's engagement with nature. [+]
Park Aims to Keep Kids in Nature During Winter
By Jennie Vasarhelyi
West Side Leader
December 24, 2009
Recognizing that outdoor play should be part of childhood no matter the season, Cuyahoga Valley National Park in Ohio offers residential programs for school groups throughout the year. The park also offers special winter Junior Ranger programs such as snowshoe hikes and sledding by moonlight. [+]
Drop in Children’s Fitness Levels in UK Sparks Debate
By Kate Devlin
(London) Telegraph
December 22, 2009
A recent study has found that children’s fitness in the UK has declined by eight per cent in the last decade, compared to an average of only four per cent for the rest of the world. Some attribute the decline to the government's decision to sell off school playing fields; an estimated 15 fields are said to be lost every month nationwide. [+]
Wisconsin NCLI Coalition to Prepare Plan for State
By Nicole Strittmater
Wausau Daily Herald
November 23, 2009
Students in Wisconsin will have more opportunities to learn in the outdoors when the state's first environmental literacy plan is complete. The Wisconsin No Child Left Inside Coalition has been asked to develop the plan to make sure every child graduates with environmental skills and knowledge needed to help the environment in the future. The plan, which the coalition hopes to complete by the summer, will address environmental education needs, including the importance of learning outdoors. [+]
Quinn: Nature-Based Tourism Part of Economic Recovery
By Deborah Gertz Husar
Quincy Herald-Whig
November 21, 2009
Nature-based activities like hunting and fishing can provide an important economic boost in Illinois, according to the state's governor. "A lot of economic activity occurs around deer hunting, around fishing, around everything to do with natural resources," Governor Pat Quinn said recently. "It's very important we let the people of Illinois know that conservation and nature-based tourism is part of our economic recovery." [+]
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