The National Forum on Children and Nature

Kids have a basic right to a healthy, whole childhood. Despite advances in public health and medicine, however, children are developing chronic health conditions, such as obesity and depression, earlier and more frequently than ever before. Researchers suggest that the decline in children’s health is linked, in part, to their growing disconnect from nature and outdoor activity. Fewer kids today walk to school, spend significant time simply playing outside or regularly enjoy the great outdoors.

That’s why in 2007 The Conservation Fund launched the National Forum on Children and Nature -- a diverse group of public and private leaders, including four governors, three mayors, corporate CEOs, parks officials and others. The 54-member Forum is dedicated to reconnecting kids with nature. By doing so, the Forum seeks to improve children’s health and overall well-being, while encouraging them to rediscover America’s landscape.

The Forum believes that children’s disconnect from nature, if left unchecked, shortchanges their health and happiness now—and creates a future generation of adults that is less healthy, productive and able to value and protect our country’s natural resources.

The Forum’s mission is to:

• Elevate the issue of reconnecting children with nature to the highest levels of our national consciousness
• Connect the fast-growing grass-roots side of this movement to some of the most powerful engines of American society – public, private and nonprofit
• Make real for every American—through nationally significant demonstration projects—ways that each of us can help reconnect children with nature

In November 2008, the Forum endorsed 30 demonstration projects nationwide that creatively reconnect kids with nature. These projects share relevance, impact and an ability to replicated, among other features. The Forum commits to help raise visibility and support for these endorsed projects.

"We celebrate these projects for demonstrating how to get kids back outdoors,” says Larry Selzer, president and CEO of The Conservation Fund. “This is critical for children’s health--and for the future of our environment. Saving a generation is not a spectator sport. These ideas invite corporate leaders, educators, community planners, government officials and others into the game.”

View the announcement of the 30 demonstration projects.