The Children & Nature Network (C&NN)
The Children & Nature Network (C&NN) is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization* dedicated to giving every child in every community a wide range of opportunities to experience nature directly, reconnecting our children with nature's joys and lessons, its profound physical, emotional, mental and spiritual bounty.
* IRS advanced rule is pending.
OUR CHILDREN:
In his book, Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children From Nature-Deficit Disorder, Richard Louv reported a growing concern of parents, educators and physicians: Childrenaren't playing outside much anymore — not even in the backyard or the neighborhood park. FromInner-city LA to rural farming communities in Kansas, children everywhere are affected. Thischange in our relationship with nature has profound implications for the health of our children, ourcommunities, future generations - and for the health of the earth itself.
THE MOVEMENT:
Not everyone accepts nature deficit as inevitable. Since the book's publication, Louv and others from health care professionals to industry leaders have come to believe in the great potential for an international Children & Nature movement focused on education, public health, urban design, architecture, conservation, and many other disciplines. Spontaneous and largely self-organizing, people and organizations from all sectors of our communities are launching regional campaigns to Leave No Child Inside.
THE GAP:
Currently there is no single place to explore the challenges and solutions for
reconnecting our children with nature; no interdisciplinary, cross-cultural, cross-professional, non-partisan venue for gathering and sharing peer-to-peer strategies and resources for fundamental change; no collection and redistribution point for the growing body of research and best practices to foster community and corporate commitment; no place to tell the personal and professional stories and anecdotes; no place to find the tools and resources for implementing and sustaining a regional, national, or international campaign.
THE SOLUTION:
One-stop access to information, innovation, tools, and peers is essential if we are to harness and accelerate the momentum of the emerging Children & Nature movement. C&NN will use the C&NN peer-to-peer network, the C&NN internet portal, C&NN news service, and C&NN speaker's bureau to bridge the gap; providing access, resources, and opportunities to individuals, organizations, policy makers, and others dedicated to the health and well being of our children, our communities and the environment.
CONTACT:
If you are interested in learning more about C&NN and the Children & Nature movement please visit us online at www.cnaturenet.org or contact us:
Amy Pertschuk - Managing Director, amy@cnaturenet.org, 415-686-5990
Cheryl Charles - President, charlessfg@aol.com
Richard Louv - Chairman, rlouv@cts.com