The Conservation Fund Launches The National Forum On Children And Nature

June 12, 2007

Contact: Kathryn Brown, 703.797.2507

Arlington, Virginia — This month, millions of kids swap school for the pool, ready for summer break. But is nature part of their plans? For too many, the answer is no. With that in mind, an eclectic group of the nation’s leaders—including governors, mayors, CEOs, educators, and clergy—is launching an ambitious effort to reconnect kids with nature. This new effort, the National Forum on Children and Nature, will find and help support roughly 20 projects across the country that demonstrate how kids can rediscover nature, through education, health, the media and the built environment.

In recent decades, nature has lost some luster among the nation’s youth, who increasingly spend free time indoors or in structured activity. This trend contributes, researchers say, to skyrocketing rates of childhood obesity and more subtle effects on children’s psychological and spiritual well-being. In his best-selling 2005 book, “Last Child in the Woods,” author Richard Louv lamented what he called “nature-deficit disorder”—and inspired a grass-roots movement (dubbed “Leave No Child Inside”) to bring a natural balance back to children’s lives.

Now, The Conservation Fund, in partnership with Louv, is kicking this effort to a new level. In launching the National Forum on Children and Nature, the Fund assembles some of the nation’s most influential public and private leaders, including top executives from The North Face, Sesame Workshop, The Walt Disney Company and Travelocity, the presidents of the Turner Foundation and National Audubon Society, Governors M. Jodi Rell (CT), Edward Rendell (PA), Mark Sanford (SC) and Brian Schweitzer (MT), and the mayors of Los Angeles, Houston, and Chicago. Altogether, the Forum represents more than 50 members, who will select the demonstration projects.

“Healing the broken bond between our young and nature is in our self-interest--not only because aesthetics or justice demands it, but also because our mental, physical, and spiritual health depend upon it,” said Louv. “And so does the health of the earth. For decades, environmental educators, conservationists, and others have worked, often heroically, to bring more children to nature. Now a grass-roots movement to leave no child inside is emerging, bringing people from across political, cultural and religious divides. By bringing executive-level business and government figures to that table, the National Forum on Children and Nature will create a new level of commitment and action. This could be the tipping point.”

The Conservation Fund’s president, Larry Selzer, agreed, noting that children represent America’s future. “We’ve spent the past 20 years protecting America’s great land legacy--more than 6 million acres of our nation’s most important landscapes,” said Selzer. “The staggering divide between children and nature places this magnificent legacy at risk. As this generation grows into adulthood, they may never feel a strong affinity for their natural heritage: the lands and waters that surround us. Reconnecting children with nature is a critical health issue--but it also looms as one of the great environmental challenges we will face in the years ahead.”

The National Forum on Children and Nature emerged from a September, 2006 symposium convened by The Conservation Fund, Louv, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service about ways to reconnect children and nature. That event drew roughly 400 participants and sharpened the Fund’s focus on this issue. Across the country, communities confront a growing and worrisome alienation from nature. “We simply cannot afford to lose our connection with the outdoors,” said Gov. Rendell of Pennsylvania. “This connection is part of our nation’s rich heritage and provides the balance vital for a prosperous future.” Gov. Sanford, of South Carolina, added: “Making sure kids are spending time outdoors is incredibly important on a couple of different levels. One, it is an important step toward reversing what is a truly alarming trend when it comes to childhood obesity. Two, it is a chance to teach children--as I've tried to teach my own four boys--about the idea of stewardship of the environment.”

As the National Forum on Children and Nature convenes on June 20-22 for a kickoff meeting, participants will begin establishing project goals and criteria. Forum members will raise the visibility of selected projects, rallying support for innovative, on-the-ground projects that inspire parents, teachers and kids to bond with the natural world. The Conservation Fund and Forum members will work with project champions to attract funds from a variety of public, private and charitable organizations.

The North Face President Steve Rendle, among others, is ready to roll up his sleeves. “At The North Face, our day-to-day mantra is ‘never stop exploring,’” said Rendle. “We need to help kids discover the thrill of the outdoors.”

For more information about how you can help support the effort, visit the Children and Nature Network at www.cnaturenet.org.

Note: This release has been updated since its original publication.

About The Conservation Fund

The Conservation Fund is the nation's foremost environmental nonprofit dedicated to protecting America's land and water legacy for current and future generations. Seeking innovative conservation solutions for the 21st century, the Fund works to integrate economic and environmental goals. Since its founding in 1985, the Fund has helped its partners safeguard wildlife habitat, working landscapes, community “greenspace” and historic sites totaling more than 6 million acres. With 1% fundraising costs and 97% program allocation, The Conservation Fund is recognized as the nation's top-rated environmental nonprofit by both the American Institute of Philanthropy and Charity Navigator.

http://www.conservationfund.org