Children & Nature Network

How are you connecting with nature in the new year? With the new year comes new beginnings and opportunities to connect with the natural world. Looking for inspiration for your nature new year’s resolution? Check out this story by Fiona Gillogy in which she shares her nature journaling journey. At the age of 17, Fiona shares that she has always been intrigued with nature, from the sparkling raindrops on a spider web to the smell of the air after rain. When she discovered nature journaling, she fell in love with the combination of art and nature. Now, Gillogy has over 2,000 journal pages filled with sketches, diagrams, paintings, and observations. She shares how journaling has deepened her connection with nature. Read her inspiring story here, and maybe start your own nature journal this year! https://bit.ly/3pIQMKc #NewYear #NatureJournaling #ChildrenAndNature

Happy New Year! A new year brings new beginnings, opportunities and a change to see the world with a refreshed perspective. “Look around. Explore the places you think you know.” – Richard Louv, Vitamin N This year, put on a nature lens and discover the outdoors… Explore places you think you know as if you are exploring them for the first time, or find somewhere entirely new to explore. childrenandnature.org #NewYear #Nature #ChildrenAndNature

Last chance! Help us create change TODAY! We believe in a world in which children everywhere have access to the benefits of nature — and YOU can help bring that world to life. Nature doesn’t just make kids healthier, happier and smarter — it also creates more vibrant communities and a brighter future for all. When you become a member of the Children & Nature Network, you’re helping break down the barriers that prevent kids from connecting with nature. Your support drives programs and initiatives that create healthier, more equitable communities where children can thrive 🌱 The planet and its young inhabitants can’t wait — *today* is the last day to make a gift for our limited-time matching grant. Thanks to a generous Children & Nature Network board member, we have an opportunity to secure the largest matching grant we’ve ever received. Any donations that we receive before the end of the year will be matched dollar-for-dollar. 👯♂️ ⏰ Make your donation by *midnight* today, December 31, to join the match, double your contribution and help us connect more kids with nature! Join us today! 🌿 https://bit.ly/4gNZRKV #Support #MemberDrive #Support #ChildrenAndNature

“It’s a beautiful way for kids to connect with nature, both in the planting of trees and in engaging their imagination through poetry to explore what nature and the environment mean to them,” said Wollongong Botanical Garden curator Felicity Skoberne. In Australia, a nationwide poetry contest invites students to voice their thoughts about nature and climate change. And in the city of Wollongong, those words become tangible through a program that plants a tree for every entry received. The project planted more than 6,400 trees last year, and this year, participants also get the opportunity to take home a seedling — doubling their impact. Read more here! https://bit.ly/4gwWDMf #Poetry #Nature #Impact #PoemForest #ChildrenAndNature

Marrakech, Morocco. Austin, Texas. Paris, France. Lima, Peru. Atlanta, Georgia. Bangalore, India. Prescott, Arizona. Buea, Cameroon. In communities around the world, the Children & Nature Network is bringing the incredible magic of green space and nature connection to children and their families — to the benefit of future generations and the planet alike. If you’re like us, you believe that the well-being of children and the wild places we love are inextricably linked. We invite you to join the movement. In schools and neighborhoods around the world, your membership supports projects that bring nature into the daily lives of children and families. Together, we can create lasting change — join us. Everyone deserves a nature-rich future! A donation of any amount makes you a member. 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 before will be matched dollar-for-dollar 🎁🎁 But there is only ONE DAY left to join the match and double your impact. ⏰ Make your donation by midnight on December 31 to join the match, double your contribution — and bring green spaces and nature connection to communities everywhere. Join today 🌱 https://bit.ly/4gNZRKV #MemberDrive #Support #Grant #MatchingGift #ChildrenAndNature

“Time spent in nature is the most cost-effective and powerful way to counteract burnout and depression.” – Richard Louv Feeling drained this holiday season? You’re not alone. This year has been intense, leaving many of us exhausted and in need of a rest. “Not just a relaxed evening by the fire, but a serious stretch of long naps, walks in the woods, deep nourishing slumber and joyful, easy, simple connections with friends and family that feed us emotionally and spiritually,” explains Renee Peterson Trudeau. This article offers several ways you can rest, relax, unplug and recharge this holiday season — from scheduling your downtime and spending time in nature to simply saying no. Take a moment for yourself, reconnect with nature and prepare for the year ahead. Read all five ways to rest and recharge in this article. https://bit.ly/4got4wa #Holidays #Stressors #RichardLouv #ChildrenAndNature

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