Children & Nature Network

How can the health of a honeybee hive tell us what we need to know about environmental policies? Urban beekeeping has become popular, and the urban environment even offers benefits that many rural beekeepers don’t have, like less exposure to pesticides, warmer ground temperatures and diverse vegetation. But despite having these advantages, urban bees are struggling. According to recent studies in various areas of Canada, urban bees are experiencing a mortality rate of between 17-26%, raising a question about how we shape urban landscapes. Researchers have identified four key urban landscape design factors that can have a big impact on the survival of honeybee hives — and these factors could have a great impact on us as well. These findings highlight the importance of urban planners to consider neighborhood-scale environmental factors to help survival of the honeybee hives and ultimately, the community surrounding it. Read more here. https://bit.ly/3YzVDyR #HoneyBees #UrbanBeekeeping #NatureStudies #ChildrenAndNature

We believe that every child deserves the chance to grow up with nature. Unfortunately, in many places, that isn’t the case. Our mission is to change that. If you share our belief that children should have the opportunity to experience nature, consider becoming a member of the Children & Nature Network. Together, we can encourage early and meaningful engagement with nature to build lifelong connections and foster environmental stewardship. https://lnkd.in/gzN22Eaj #MemberDrive #Support #Connections #Nature #NatureConnections #Inspire #EnvironmentalStewardship #ChildrenAndNature

For this week’s edition of #FindingNatureNews, we offer a guest column by Mai Nguyen, an heirloom wheat farmer and parent who shares how Vietnamese traditions connect their family to nature’s rhythms ?? Here is an excerpt from Mai’s story: “In Vietnamese culture, we have a special occasion for moon-gazing with children each year. Known as T?t Trung Thu in Vietnam … the Mid-Autumn Festival is a time to gather with family and friends to celebrate the abundance of the harvest under a full moon. We eat sweet mooncakes and light lanterns to hold in processions, making our own rhythms of light. ?? “The Mid-Autumn Festival and the coinciding harvest moon are important markers of time for my family. The spring months of seeding and watering … are followed by autumn months of harvesting, preserving and feasting — feasting, not only on food, but also on the nourishment of nature’s lessons. ?? “Harvesting jujubes, chrysanthemum flowers and herbs to dry teaches us how to discern what is worth saving and what can be returned to the earth; ?? digging up ginger and curing onions and gourds for winter storage teaches us that hard work and care yield food that sustains us for a long time; ?? figs and mulberries — best eaten while barefoot, bracing on branches to reach the uppermost and sweetest sun-ripened fruits — remind us that joy, delight and satisfaction are already around us, if we just stretch.” Mai’s piece also delves into the Vietnamese postpartum practice of “nesting” with the newborn for one lunar cycle, and the ways that our earliest days of life on earth serve to acquaint each of us with nature’s rhythms — of body, the sky, the seasons ?? Read the full piece at https://bit.ly/40MtFCI ?? ?? Sashwa Burrous, https://bit.ly/3Z4KmZ4, https://bit.ly/3AJjCE8, https://bit.ly/4fshfV4 #HarvestMoon #Gather #Gratitude #Harvest #TetTrungThu #MidAutumnFestival #Nesting #Postpartum #ChildrenAndNature

Want to improve your family’s mental and physical health, and increase their creativity and learning abilities? Research suggests that a more natural environment can help. So… start at home! Whether you’re building a new house or retrofitting an existing home and garden, here are “20 ways to create a naturally restorative home and garden” as described in this article by Richard Louv, author and Children & Nature Network co-founder. https://bit.ly/4fybaWO #RichardLouv #Health #Nature #Benefits #ChildrenAndNature

“If you, like me, understand the benefits of nature and want others — especially kids — to have the same experience… ... Then supporting the Children & Nature Network with a membership is a way to ensure that we continue to spread the word.” Tehlyr Kellogg is the Executive Manager at the Children & Nature Network — and they’re also a nature lover, houseplant aficionado, and advocate for the children and nature movement. In a recent conversation, they explained how, after they joined the network, they learned the extent to which nature can be beneficial for their well-being. They started going on more walks throughout the day, and even took their family on a kayaking trip during a vacation. “It felt so amazing to be out on the water,” they said. “It was so peaceful.” “I’ve seen the power of our work,” they explained. Make a donation of any amount and join the movement to connect children with nature -> https://lnkd.in/gp3rW7iK #MemberDrive #Support #BenefitsofNature #WellBeing #JointheMovement #ChildrenAndNature

Here’s a little peek behind the scenes of our 21 Roots Farm story. 21 Roots uses farming to connect youth and adults with cognitive disabilities to community, to skills and independence — and to the many, many benefits of time in nature. We spent two days on the farm, listening to youth farmers and leaders as they went about their days, everything from feeding the chickens to harvesting veggies and putting together CSA boxes. What we heard and saw during our time on the farm provided beautiful content, of course, but it also informed the questions we brought to the interviews and the framing of the piece. Which is to say that the story was very much driven by the youth farmers and their voices — our goal from the get-go. To read the full story, click the link below. https://bit.ly/3B1DQbK #BTS #21RootsFarm #Publication #BehindTheScenes #FindingNatureNews #CareFarm #CareFarming #WorkLearnGrow #ThisIsCareFarming #ChildrenAndNature

Studies show that regular physical fitness enhances students’ well-being and attentiveness in the classroom. This infographic illustrates how green schoolyards can increase physical activity in children by offering a variety of play options that engage children of varying fitness levels, ages and genders. Check out the full infographic on this topic, and many others, in our Research Library! https://bit.ly/48yGLW8 #BenefitsofNature #PhysicalFitness #OutdoorPlay #Schools #Infographic #ChildrenAndNature

Think back to your childhood… Is there a time you can recall that brought you closer to nature? This story is about just that. As a young schoolgirl, Tonyaa Weathersbee’s daily mile-long walk from school left a great impression on her connection to nature, boosting her imagination with every step. From strolling through a field of dandelions, to trekking over a river bridge and embracing the shade underneath the magnolia trees, this simple routine brought her closer to nature in ways that have stayed with her throughout her life. Read the full story about how these moments changed Tonyaa’s life here. And if you’ve had a childhood experience that sparked your love for nature, share it with us in the comments below. https://bit.ly/3rnHxkQ #Childhood #Memories #Inspire #LifeExperiences #FindingNatureNews #ChildrenAndNature

In Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Milwaukee Public Schools are transforming traditional schoolyards into green, biodiverse spaces through Reflo’s Green and Healthy Schools program, in partnership with the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District. This year, six schools unveiled five new green schoolyards designed to manage stormwater, create play and learning areas, and prevent sewage overflow into Lake Michigan. Highlights include microforests and natural landscapes in place of pavement — check out the inspiring before-and-after photos! https://bit.ly/48z4Qfv #GreeningSchools #Biodiversity #Schools #ChildrenAndNature

Did you know? Early bird registration for our Nature Everywhere Conference is now open ??? The Nature Everywhere Conference is the perfect opportunity to connect with others in the movement, share ideas and strategy, and leave with the inspiration and tools you need to be a true changemaker in your community. It’s the world’s largest gathering of advocates for children and nature. Even better — as a member of the Children & Nature Network, you get a significant discount on conference registration! As a member, you save even more on early bird registration — $150 total in savings ?? In addition to supporting the movement to connect children to nature, becoming a member of the network has its perks. Join us to experience all of the benefits that come with being a member of the Children & Nature Network. https://bit.ly/464ptgY #ProfessionalDevelopment #Conference #NatureEverywhere #MemberBenefits #MemberDrive #ChildrenAndNature