Children & Nature Network

Did you know? Youth leaders all over the world are working to connect children to nature! We believe that fresh perspectives bring passion, energy and new ideas to the children and nature movement, and we listen to what young leaders have to say. Throughout the year, our Youth Advisory Council reviews applications for Youth Outdoor Equity Leadership mini-grants – and guides planning and youth scholarship awards for our annual Nature Everywhere Conference. We also love to feature the social and environmental justice work of young leaders in Finding Nature News. With a gift as little as $5, you can become a member of the Children & Nature Network and invest in young leaders. And this year, we have a special limited-time opportunity to double your donation thanks to a matching grant provided by a Children & Nature Network board member. Now through the end of the year, any donations that we receive will be matched dollar-for-dollar 🎁🎁 Help us get young people the tools and resources they need to continue their leadership for the planet’s future 🌏 ⏰ Make your donation by midnight on December 31 to join the match, double your contribution and help us support the youth leaders advocating for the environment. https://bit.ly/4gNZRKV #NaturalLeaders #LegacyCamp #ChildrenAndNature

Progress, impact, change — can we get a great big round of applause for Nature Everywhere Communities?! 👏🏽 Nature Everywhere Communities is a national partnership between the Children & Nature Network, the National League of Cities and KABOOM! to increase local nature access for youth — in 78 participating communities. As 2024 comes to an end, we’re celebrating the initiative’s transformative first full year — and all the community teams, technical leads and local and national organizations that made it a resounding success. Read the latest #FindingNatureNews feature to learn how #NatureEverywhere Communities have taken a systems change approach — from creating statewide policies to leveraging local press to giving youth a voice in creating greenspaces — to connect children to the many proven benefits of nature and outdoor play. 👉🏽Read more here! https://bit.ly/4fyVVg8 National League of Cities KABOOM! #FindingNatureNews #NatureNews #NatureEverywhere #ChildrenAndNature

‘Tis the giving season… Have you considered sharing the gift of nature for the holidays? “Each of us — adult or child — can earn nature’s gift by knowing nature directly.” — Richard Louv Take time this holiday season to explore and connect with the natural world. 🎁🎁 This giving season, give the gift of nature connection by supporting the Children & Nature Network during a limited-time opportunity to double your impact. A Children & Nature Network board member has provided a $100,000 matching grant — the largest we’ve ever received! Any donations that we receive before the end of the year will be matched dollar-for-dollar. 👯♂️ Your donation helps us ensure that children everywhere can connect with nature where they live, learn and play. And, a gift of any size makes you a member of the Children & Nature Network, with exclusive perks. ⏰ Make your donation by midnight on December 31 to join the match, double your contribution and help us connect more kids with nature! https://bit.ly/464ptgY #Holidays #Nature #GiftGiving #ExploreOutdoors #RichardLouv #NatureforAll #ChildrenAndNature

Meet Jessica Fong! She’s the one pointing up at the tree, and the bird hidden in its branches. She’s the education director for Openlands’ Birds in My Neighborhood program®, which creates opportunities for urban Chicago elementary school students to get out into their neighborhoods and see birds. The premise of the program is that if you step outside — even in the most urban of neighborhoods — you will see a bird. “The goal is to use birds as little ambassadors,” she says, “to open children’s eyes to all of nature.” And what do you do if you see a bird? You point! “There’s this ripple of excitement when one kid points up. Everyone comes in closer, and then all the kids are pointing up,” laughs Fong. “That’s not only the connection to animals, but the connection to each other as humans, right? The sharing of joy, the sharing of a passion — it’s infectious!” 🐦🌳 In our latest Finding Nature News feature, Fong talks about how she hopes the Birds in My Neighborhood program gives children not only the tools to access nature — and all its many benefits — but also the desire to care for and conserve it. Read it at the link below! https://bit.ly/3ZBW9Ng Openlands Healthy Schools Campaign Chicago Public Schools #FindingNatureNews #Birdwatching #Bird #Birding #Birds #BirdBrain #ChildrenAndNature

When you become a member of the Children & Nature Network, you are joining a community of people who are making real change — YOU are helping to create a world in which children and nature can thrive, together. Sarah Milligan-Toffler, President & CEO of the Children & Nature Network, is grateful for our members. Members are the heart and soul of our organization. “We can’t do this work without you!” 💝 Support our work today so that — 🚨We interrupt our regularly-scheduled post with a breaking announcement — a Children & Nature Network board member has just provided a $100,000 matching grant — the largest we’ve ever received! But — we only have EIGHT DAYS to meet our goal. Join us TODAY and your gift will be matched dollar-for-dollar. ⏰ Make your donation by midnight on December 31 to join the match, double your contribution and help us reach our year-end fundraising goal! Support our work today so that together we can continue to build this growing movement. https://bit.ly/464ptgY #BecomeAMember #Support #ChildrenAndNature

As the year winds down, it’s time to start thinking about your New Year’s resolutions! What’s your nature-inspired goal for 2025? 🍃 A few minutes outside every day? 🍃 Discovering a new trail each month? 🍃 Exploring a national park at some point this year? No matter how big or small, time in nature can bring numerous benefits. Have you started planning your 2025 nature resolutions? Let us know your ideas below! #2025 #NewYear #Nature #ChildrenAndNature

🚨Breaking news! A Children & Nature Network board member has just provided a $100,000 matching grant to help us meet our year-end fundraising goal. This is the largest matching grant in our history! But – we only have TEN DAYS to meet our goal. Now through the end of 2024, your gift will be matched dollar-for-dollar, doubling your impact and boosting our ability to ensure that more children benefit from outdoor experiences and learning. And, a gift of any size makes you a member of the Children & Nature Network. If you value the resources and research we make freely available to the children and nature movement, this is the perfect time to make a gift. You'll receive member benefits like $100 off registration for our annual conference and access to a global network of experts and advocates. If you've already joined or made a gift this year, even a very small additional gift will make a big difference in helping us increase access to nature everywhere children live, learn and play! Join today! All gifts made by midnight, December 31, 2024 are eligible — so don’t delay! https://bit.ly/464ptgY #BreakingNews #Match #Gift #ChildrenAndNature

🚨Exciting news! A Children & Nature Network board member has just provided a $100,000 matching grant to help us meet our year-end fundraising goal. This is the largest matching grant in our history! Join us today and your gift will be matched dollar-for-dollar. ⏰Make your donation by midnight, December 31, 2024 to join the match and double your contribution. If you've already made a gift this year, even a very small additional gift will make a big difference in helping us increase access to nature everywhere children live, learn and play! And we do mean everywhere. Did you know that members of the Children & Nature Network span across the globe, with members residing in more than 20 countries? Well… 22 to be exact 🌏 Why become a member of the Children & Nature Network? When you become a member, you are joining a global community of advocates and leaders who are making real change — YOU are helping to create a world in which children and nature can thrive, together. It’s the world’s largest movement for kids and nature… Join us today! A donation of any amount makes you a member, and you can DOUBLE your contribution by donating today 👯 https://bit.ly/464ptgY #Support #Member #Global #ChildrenAndNature

In Hungary, the real winter has finally arrived: the temperatures are dropping, snow is falling and the birds are… chirping? That’s right! Boglárka Miskolczi reminds us that bird-watching is a year-round activity — especially for kids. “Engaging with birds at home provides us with almost countless opportunities, even in the winter months,” writes Miskolczi, “and creates a perfect balance between people and the environment… our children learn that we are not masters, but participants in the cycle of nature.” Read Miskolczi’s five recommendations on how to engage the children you love in bird-watching, bird feeding and bird care during the winter in this week’s Finding Nature News. https://bit.ly/4gmAqQF #FindingNatureNews #Birdwatching #Bird #Birding #Birds #BirdBrain #ChildrenAndNature

Great news! The #EXPLOREAct just passed Congress. This bill ensures millions of kids, families and veterans who will benefit from more accessible outdoor spaces and recreation opportunities. Now, the EXPLORE Act heads to President Biden's desk for final passage. The EXPLORE Act will reduce those barriers by increasing the number of parks in disadvantaged communities, improving disability access on trails, continuing a program to get 4th graders and their families into national parks, or streamlining permitting processes for outdoor groups. Thank you Congress for prioritizing outdoor access and equity for communities everywhere! And thank you to all of our OAK members who have worked tirelessly to pass this important legislation!!!