4 Aug 2008
The consequences of nature deficit are felt most directly at the local level. How can we help to get the word out about nature deficit and move our communities towards finding solutions? The National Wildlife Federation's recently released report Connecting Today's Kids with Nature: A Policy Action Plan outlines simple steps to make our communities more conducive to unstructured outdoor play and environmental education.
Take Action in Your Community
- Taking our kids outside for a Green Hour is a wonderful thing. We can multiply this effect by spreading the word about the need for a Green Hour through local government, neighborhood associations and community organizations.
- Consider asking your doctor to "prescribe" time outdoors to improve children's physical and mental health.
- Talk to day care instructors and after school providers about incorporating outdoor time and environmental education into lesson plans.
- Ask law enforcement officers to help keep green spaces healthy and safe places for kids and families.
- Support hands-on environmental education in your local schools by contacting school board members to encourage funding for existing and new programs that will help connect children to nature.
- Encourage local planning commissions and homeowners associations to create green spaces in your community that will encourage kids to play outdoors. Ask for better playground design that incorporates natural landscapes.
- Advocate for the creation of bike trails and paths that families can use to enjoy the outdoors together.
Check out the NWF's policy plan to learn more about our grassroots movement to get kids outside. We can all work together to create communities that will encourage our children to explore the outdoors -- and we will all reap the benefits!
You Can Help Now
We need your help to continue building momentum! Please take a couple of minutes to send a letter to your representatives in the U.S. Congress, urging them to support the No Child Left Inside Act -- and ask your friends and family to do the same. For more information about this important legislation, visit the No Child Left Behind Coalition
Patrick Fitzgerald is the National Wildlife Federation's Senior Legislative Representative for Environmental Education Campaigns. Abigail Quinn is NWF's Education Advocacy Intern.
|
