Children & Nature Network

Studies show that there are endless benefits to connecting with nature. Regular time outdoors helps children thrive — it’s essential for their healthy development. But over the past few generations, childhood has moved indoors. On average, today’s kids spend up to 44 hours per week in front of a screen, and less than 10 minutes a day playing outdoors. And for too many kids, regular and safe access to nature is determined by race and ethnicity, family income, identity and ability. We work to turn today’s indoor childhood back OUT to the benefits of nature. By joining our work as a member, you can play your part in making outdoor spaces accessible and welcoming for ALL children — everywhere. Are you ready to join us to change lives around the world? Join today — a donation of any amount makes you a member, and can make all the difference for children everywhere. https://bit.ly/464ptgY #MemberDrive #Support #NatureAccess #NatureEverywhere #ChildrenAndNature

Did you know? We’ve compiled thousands of peer-reviewed academic articles that make the case for connecting children with nature. If you’ve ever wanted to learn more about the evidence behind WHY nature connection is so important for children, our online Research Library is the answer. All of the articles in the Research Library database are searchable and completely free to access, making it the perfect solution if you’ve ever been stopped by a paywall when digging into scientific research. But we couldn’t do this without our members who help support this important work. As a member of the Children & Nature Network, YOU can help us curate and expand the most comprehensive collection of research on nature’s benefits for children. We work to ensure that policymakers, educators and community leaders have the tools they need to make informed decisions and make the case for the importance of nature connection. You can be part of the world’s largest nature research library! Join the movement and support this wonderful work today. https://bit.ly/464ptgY #MemberDrive #Support #Research #NatureEverywhere #ChildrenAndNature

Every November, Native American Heritage Month celebrates the rich histories and diverse cultures of Indigenous Peoples and communities. We honor the realities and histories of Indigenous Peoples — as well as their global environmental stewardship and climate advocacy — during this time, and year-round. Each year, we refresh and share a collection of resources for individuals, organizations, educators and families to learn more about Indigenous Peoples and their histories, cultures, lands, Knowledge and activism. Click the link to learn more – and if you have any resources that you’d like to see added to this list, drop them in the comment section below! https://lnkd.in/g82cVj76 #NativeAmericanHeritageMonth

Dr. Daniele Lyman-Torres, President and CEO of The The Child Advocacy Center of Greater Rochester, is a long-time supporter of the Children & Nature Network and currently serves on the board of directors. Daniele fights every day for childrens’ health and well-being because she believes in the power of nature to support children in healing from trauma. That’s why she is a proud member of the Children & Nature Network — and she invites you to join her in the movement. As Daniele told us, “There are children everywhere, and nature is everywhere … We need to connect the two.” If you believe in the importance of nature connection for children’s healthy development… If you want to help children heal from trauma through the power of nature… If you agree that children need nature, and nature needs children… Join us. Your support helps children heal from trauma. Your support connects children with nature. Your support can make all the difference. https://bit.ly/464ptgY #MemberDrive #Support #Dedication #NatureEverywhere #ChildrenAndNature

Drawing on five years of personal experience in the field, a study found that community gardens provide five benefits: 🍎 increasing food security, 📚 creating informal learning spaces, 🎶 building cross-cultural networks, 🌱 inspiring environmental activities and 🌻 breaking down artificial boundaries in gardening. Learn more about the benefits of gardening and agriculture in our latest Stat Sheet. https://bit.ly/3xYhiVZ #FindingNatureNews #Gardening #StatSheet #Community #BenefitsofNature #ChildrenAndNature

“I want to help care for nature. I want to help leave them — their children, their grandchildren — a world with more trees, a world with more flowers, more plants,” Galeno-Sánchez said. After Claudia Galeno-Sánchez and her daughter raised a caterpillar in their home and watched it transform into a Black Swallowtail butterfly, Galeno-Sánchez was inspired to create a butterfly habitat in her backyard as a way to teach her children about nature during the pandemic — but her vision quickly expanded 🦋 Now, she and a group of motivated neighbors calling themselves “Mujeres Por Espacios Verdes" (or “Women for Green Spaces”) are working to expand green spaces in Chicago neighborhoods. Read more about it here! 🌿 https://bit.ly/3Zmz3vv #RoundUp #Butterflies #ChicagoIL #Nature #ChildrenAndNature

Green schoolyards are “a multifaceted solution,” says Priya Cook of the Children & Nature Network. “Markets tend to underinvest in strategies that produce broad benefits to society... We have to think differently to pick multi-solving interventions.” We’re excited to see The Christian Science Monitor focusing on the benefits of turning concrete playgrounds into green, nature-based play spaces. From improving children’s health and well-being to addressing environmental challenges like heat and stormwater management, green schoolyards offer comprehensive benefits to the community — and the latest findings point to economic benefits for the community at large, too, with a $3 community-wide return for every $1 invested in green schoolyards. This article highlights ways that creative design, like using lavender to repel mosquitoes, combines art and science to create outdoor spaces that benefit all. https://bit.ly/40Ztvbe National League of Cities KABOOM! Priya Cook #RoundUp #GreenSchoolyards #CreativeDesign #Art #Science #ChildrenAndNature

Change is coming! Curious about the youth outdoor policy trends of 2024 and what’s coming in 2025? 🌱 Change is Coming: 2024 Youth Outdoor Policy Trends & 2025 Advocacy Strategies 🕰️ December 3, 2024 at 1:00 p.m. CT / 2:00 p.m. ET 📍 Online, Free In this event, we’ll explore the latest state-level policy updates from 2024, winning coalition-building strategies, and exciting advocacy strategies for 2025 with a panel of youth outdoor policy leaders. The Youth Outdoor Policy Partnership is a collaboration of leading national organizations working across sectors to ensure that all children have access to high-quality outdoor experiences and environmental education. During the webinar, we will dive into the Annual Trend Report reviewing innovative policies to encourage legislators, advocates, communities and youth to replicate, rethink and collaborate to build equitable youth outdoor opportunities. Register here! https://bit.ly/3On6QOB David Beard Megan Fink Grant Gliniecki Kendall Scott Janice Marchman North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE) Nuestra Tierra Conservation Project #YouthOutdoors #Policy #Webinar #ChildrenAndNature

Dr. Daniele Lyman-Torres, President and CEO of The Child Advocacy Center of Greater Rochester, has seen the power of the Children & Nature Network's work in her community in Rochester, New York. When she was Commissioner of Recreation and Human Services for the City of Rochester, her team worked with the Children & Nature Network to build support for a new nature center. That nature center now serves as a nature connection hub for children across the city. And it’s not just Rochester — we’re creating this type of systemic change in cities around the world. Supporting the Children & Nature Network is one of the most impactful things you can do to ensure that children across the country have access to the benefits of nature for generations to come. Join us today 🌱 -> https://lnkd.in/gzN22Eaj #MemberDrive #NatureEverywhere #Connection #Support #JoinTheMovement #ChildrenAndNature

Early bird conference registration is live — and now’s the time to save! 🐣 The Nature Everywhere Conference brings together cross-sector leaders to advance programs, practices and policies for increasing equitable access to nature everywhere children live, learn and play. The 2025 Nature Everywhere Conference will highlight best practices from around the world – and from Minnesota’s Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, longtime partners in our work to connect children, families and communities to the proven benefits of nature. If you’re planning on attending, register today. https://bit.ly/41pqf7m #NatureEverywhere #Conference #TwinCities #Minneapolis #MN #ChildrenAndNature