Campaign/Initiative News
State | Education
EastBayRI.com – November 25, 2009
Rhode Island Audubon Receives Federal Grant for Education
By Michael Yoder
U.S. Senator Jack Reed recently visited the Audubon Society of Rhode Island’s Environmental Education Center in Bristol to award a $143,000 federal grant to the society to provide instructional opportunities for students with limited economic resources. The money will be used in the Audubon’s Environmental Education for Urban Schools Initiative to bring 4,500 students yearly from schools throughout the state.
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National | Education
National Parks Traveler – October 24, 2009
Rocky Mountain Video Asks, Who Will Care for Parks Tomorrow?
By Kurt Repanshek
A new video produced by the Rocky Mountain Nature Association is part of a $10 million campaign to create a next-generation endowment that will fund in perpetuity education programs in the park. Narrated by Bill Kurtis, the video introduces viewers to the park and raises an important question: Who will care for Rocky Mountain National Park, and the other parks, after the Baby Boomers fade away?
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State
Seacoast Online – October 04, 2009
New Hampshire Get Out and Play Weekend a Model for Others
By Beth LaMontagne Hall
Communities looking for ways to reconnect children with nature would be well-advised to follow New Hampshire's lead. The state's Get Out and Play weekend, sponsored by the New Hampshire Children in Nature Coalition, featured a variety of events in many locations intended to introduce children to the joys of playing outdoors.
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National | Access
The White House – September 25, 2009
Obama Declares September 26 National Public Lands Day
President Obama has signed a proclamation declaring September 26, 2009, National Public Lands Day. In the words of the proclamation, this is "an opportunity for all Americans, young and old, to celebrate the majesty of our open spaces and devote our collective efforts to conserving our Nation's unique landscapes." And, "Today, we affirm our resolve to conserve these cherished spaces for our enjoyment and for that of future generations." [+]
National
North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences – September 10, 2009
Take a Child Outside Week Starts September 24
Take a Child Outside Week, a program designed to help break down obstacles that keep children from discovering the natural world, takes place this year starting September 24. The program is an initiative of the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences and is held in cooperation with partner organizations across the U.S. and Canada. [+]
Allies | Media & Culture
MarketWatch – September 22, 2009
The North Face Launches Website to Connect People with the Outdoors
Outdoor retailer The North Face has announced the Bay Area launch of PlanetExplore, a new online community that aims to connect people to the outdoors by serving as a hub for outdoor activities such as hiking, biking, climbing, and running in their area. As part of PlanetExplore, The North Face has partnered with the Children & Nature Network, Outward Bound, the Sierra Club, and other organizations that promote outdoor participation. Later in 2009, PlanetExplore will launch in Denver and New York City.
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National | Education
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service – August 27, 2009
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Launches Video Game for Kids
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has launched a new online video game that aims to encourage kids to go outside and learn about the environment. Designed for children ages 8 to 11, Neighborhood Explorers features information on planting gardens, backyard birding, urban wildlife, endangered species, and conservation. It also rewards kids for documenting environmental projects and local wildlife in their area. [+]
Local
Capital Times (Madison) – July 01, 2009
Getting Kids Back to Nature in Madison
By Mary Ellen Gabriel
Like an increasing number of cities across the country, Madison, Wisconsin, is home to a variety of local initiatives aiming to reconnect children and nature. One of the biggest challenges, according to Sam Dennis of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, is not so much finding open spaces but identifying areas where kids can climb trees, build forts, and so on. Another challenge? Convincing parents that this kind of play is important.
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International | Media & Culture
Persil – July 18, 2008
Persil Promotes Free Play in UK Campaign
Persil, a well-known maker of laundry detergents in the UK, is touting the benefits of unstructured outdoor play in a new national campaign aimed at parents. The company surveyed mothers, a majority of whom agreed that society had lost sight of the importance of play in a child’s learning process. The “every child has the right” campaign includes a television commercial in which a robot becomes a boy when it ventures outdoors and a website with tips to help families make free play a priority once again.
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Allies | Legislation/Policy
JUST ADDED: Public Listening Sessions on America’s Great Outdoors Initiative in UT, MN, NY
Senior government officials are hosting listening sessions in a range of locations around the U.S. On April 16, 2010, President Obama established the America’s Great Outdoors Initiative to develop a conservation and recreation agenda for the 21st century. The President understands that efforts for protecting and restoring lands and waters, and reconnecting people to the outdoors, must be community driven. [+]
Allies | Legislation/Policy
– July 20, 2010
AGO Listening Session in Philadelphia July 27 to Focus on Historic Preservation
Opportunities continue to join the conversation about America's Great Outdoors, Also in San Francisco July 23. [+] [PDF]
Allies | Legislation/Policy
– July 17, 2010
NEW: YOUTH Public Listening Session on America’s Great Outdoors in San Francisco July 23
People ages 16-25 are invited to join the conversation about America's Great Outdoors. Next: Phila. 7/27. [+]
Allies | State
Florida Wildlife Federation – July 01, 2010
Biologist, Get Outdoors Florida Chair Named “Conservation Educator of Year”
Fisheries biologist and Get Outdoors Florida leader Bob Wattendorf received the FL Wildlife Federation's "Conservation Educator of the Year". [+]
Allies | Legislation/Policy
– July 09, 2010
PUBLIC LISTENING SESSIONS ON THE PRESIDENT’S AMERICA’S GREAT OUTDOORS INITIATIVE
Senior government officials are hosting listening sessions in a range of locations around the U.S. On April 16, 2010, President Obama established the America’s Great Outdoors Initiative to develop a conservation and recreation agenda for the 21st century. The President understands that efforts for protecting and restoring lands and waters, and reconnecting people to the outdoors, must be community driven. [+]
Commentary | Feature
Ecology Global Network – July 03, 2010
A Young Person’s Connection to Nature
By Karen de Leon
14-year-old Natural Leader Karen de Leon discovers the joys in nature and encourages other young people to do the same.
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As part of our ongoing efforts to build the movement, the Children & Nature Network has published two new resources for leaders, organizers, and participants at the local, national, and international levels:
