NEWSLINKS
News Links, Articles & CommentaryLegislation/Policy News
National | Access
Department of the Interior – February 08, 2010
Salazar Unveils New “Youth in the Great Outdoors” Initiative
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. [+]
National
Gotham Gazette – November 30, 2009
Congress Considers Federal Funding for City Parks
By Anne Schwartz
Legislation has been introduced in Congress that would provide federal funding for urban parks and recreation for the first time in eight years. Among the benefits cited by those supporting the funding: improving and increasing the number of places where children can play outdoors, get involved in sports, and experience nature.
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State
WREX - Rockford Illinois – February 26, 2009
Quinn Reverses Blago Decision, Reopens Seven State Parks
By Samantha Ptashkin
On February 26, Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn gave the order to reopen seven state parks. Quinn said in a news conference, "We have perhaps among children and adults and everybody in our state a 'nature-deficit disorder' and we've got to cure that ailment and there's one way to do it. All of us have to get outside."
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State
New State DNR Chief Has Long-Standing Love of Outdoors
Mark Miller's father and grandfather taught him that if he took care of nature, nature would take care of him. Miller, appointed by Governor Quinn to head the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, has two main goals during his tenure: to increase outdoor opportunities of all kinds and to get more young people outside.
“We spent a lot of my early childhood (on the farm). It was a wonderful place to connect with the land.”
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SECTIONS | Regional Updates | State | CATEGORY 2
WisOpinion – November 23, 2011
Renewing our Heritage, Restoring Children’s Health
By Chris Taylor and Chris Larson
Wisconsin Children's Outdoor Bill of Rights seeks to reconnect children with nature.
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SECTIONS | Regional Updates | International | CATEGORY 1 | Access | CATEGORY 2
The Guardian – November 16, 2011
Access to Wildlife Should be a Right, not a Privilege
By Tony King
Scottish Government is consulting on a rights of children and young people bill.
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SECTIONS | Regional Updates | National | CATEGORY 1 | Health | CATEGORY 2
National Wildlife Federation – November 03, 2011
Why the Healthy Kids Outdoors Act is Important
By Rep. Ron Kind (D-WI)
U.S. Rep. Ron Kind (D-WI) and U.S. Senator Mark Udall (D-CO) introduce Healthy Kids Outdoors Act.
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CATEGORY 1 | Access | CATEGORY 2
My Web Times – October 30, 2011
Illinois Governor Pat Quinn Calls Starved Rock State Park Vital to State
By Steve Stout
At 100-year celebration, Gov. Quinn says, ""We will leave no child inside."
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State
State of Delaware – June 20, 2011
Delaware Taskforce Developing Statewide Plan to Increase Nature Opportunities for Children
By Collin O'Mara
School, home, public lands included in plan.
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National | Built Environment
Associated Press – June 13, 2011
Camping in NYC? U.S. Interior Secretary Says Yes
By Associated Press
Secretary Salazar announces plan to create nation's largest urban campground and improve access to nature in NYC.
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Natural Leader Tamara Poles and Virginia Museum of Natural History are Putting People Back in Touch with Nature
Nearly 13,000 people have taken part in 247 programs of the Community Nature Initiative. [+]
TRACK Trails Offer Nationwide Weapon Against Nature-Deficit Disorder
New interpretive trail system for kids comes to U.S. national parks. [+]
Applications Open for 2012 TogetherGreen Fellowships and Innovation Grants
Audubon & Toyota seek to fund promising conservation leaders and community-based projects. [+]
“No Child Left Ashore” Movement Makes Waves
SF Bay Area's Pegasus Project gets students out on the water, where transformations occur. [+]
Play England Calls for Support to Help Kids Play Outside
Research shows that 21% of children play outdoors daily, compared to 71% during their parents'… [+]
A Healing Place for Children
C&NN Founding Chair Richard Louv consulting on new children's treatment center in MN, which is… [+]
National Kids to Parks Day Set for May 19
Nationwide day of outdoor play organized by National Park Trust. Classroom contest ends March 1. [+]
Chevy Chase, MD, Preschool Encourages Learning Outside the Box
Preschoolers spend at least half a day outside in woods, in all seasons. [+]
Study: Preschoolers Need to Get a Move On
Most pre-school children spend hours doing sedentary activities instead of playing outside, research has shown. [+]
Help Connect Children & Nature.
C&NN Web BadgesC&NN Synthesis of Research and Studies
[+] Introduction
[+] Research & Studies Vol. 1
[+] Research & Studies Vol. 2
[+] Research & Studies Vol. 3
[+] Research & Studies Vol. 4
Nature Clubs for Families Tool Kit
Download the Tool Kit [>]
The Tool Kit includes a Quick Start Guide with simple instructions on how to start a local Nature Club for Families.
Newsletter Archive
JAN 31 – News and Updates
JAN 12 – News and Updates
DEC 22 – News and Updates
DEC 6 – Ecology of Hope
NOV 22 – Natural Families News
NOV 10 – News and Updates
NOV 1 – 2011 Report Outs
OCT 6 – Natural Teachers News
SEPT 8 – APOCALYPSE NO
[+] view full archive
C&NN Publications
As part of our ongoing efforts to build the movement, the Children & Nature Network has published these resources for leaders, organizers, and participants at the local, national, and international levels:
2010 C&NN Report
[>] Download PDF [2MB]
Children and Nature 2009: A Report on the Movement to Reconnect Children to the Natural World
[>] Download PDF [1.1MB]
C&NN Community Action Guide: Building the Children & Nature Movement from the Ground Up
[>] Download PDF [1.4MB]
