This service is provided by the Alberta Recreation and Parks Association (ARPA). This is our December update.
I have continued with the changed the format of the links due to complaints that computer security systems are stripping away the web links from the word "here" and leaving readers with no way to find the referenced articles. This way they can copy and paste to link, if they need to.
From the Lifestyle Information Network (LIN) an article of interest to Parks Managers on Apprentice Gardeners. One problem identified in the field is finding staff who are interested and well trained in maintaining parks. This article highlights a training program. http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2010/10/23/BAKR1G05O7.DTL
Bill Reynolds offered me a link to an Australian Website that emphasizesand active lifestyle through the identification and development of Healthy Spaces & Places. Useful for planners and those health practitioners seeking to establish areas where children (and adults) can play outdoors. http://www.healthyplaces.org.au/site/
The National Recreation and Parks (NRPA) Weekly News identifies a major program to fight childhood obesity funded by health care insurers Blue Cross and Blue Shield. The program itself is not as significant as the identification of a major potential funding source to aid in the children in nature movement. http://www.newsobserver.com/2010/10/26/760599/charity-targets-obesity-in-kids.html
Also from NRPA an article about an outdoor classroom in a US school, designed to enhance science and art curriculum for elementary grades. A small success for children in nature.
The Alberta Council for Environmental Education (ACEE) ran Inspiring Action on Education workshops in Calgary and Edmonton to summarize ideas on environmental education. Thanks to Cal Kullman for sending me a link to the results of these two workshops, found at http://www.abcee.org/eerc/pd/workshop-series/oct-workshop-resources/
Cal also sent me a copy of an essay by Steve van Matre, a very well know spokesman for the need for environmental education. For security reasons I do not send pdf attachments with this newsletter so I have found a link to the website Mr. van Matre uses to outline his ideas for Earth Education, which carries his message in slightly different words.
Via the NRPA news we have information on the Macatawa Greenway outdoor discovery centre. Their home page is filled with information to link families with nature. http://www.outdoordiscoverycenter.org/odcofwu/site/default.asp
Adam Bienenstock provided some insight into the development of Natural Playspaces in his presentation to ARPA in October. Visit the LIN site to download his presentation.
From LIN a link to Stats Canada Health Data. Anyone interested in investigating the current health conditions of the Canadian population will be interested in this website. http://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/82-623-x/82-623-x2010002-eng.htm
From Don Polinski of Strathcona County, reference to an 11 page article in the Globe and Mail on a school in Britain that has embraced outdoor learning and converted their school grounds to a natural landscape.
From Ted Ritzer at Alberta Parks, information on the Robert Bateman "Get to Know" Program. Thank you Ted for this great information....
2011 has been declared by the United Nations as International Year of the Forest—a timely celebration of the importance of forests, worldwide.
The Get to Know Contest encourages youth to get outdoors, get creative, and “get to know” their wild neighbours through art, writing, photography, and video. Since 2000, the Contest has connected hundreds of thousands of young people with nature.... We are working to empower the next generation of passionate environmental stewards.
The theme of the 2011 Contest will be “Wild Neighbours of the Forest”. The Get to Know Program is also pleased to announce the launch of an all-new video category for the 2011 Contest, in celebration of IYOF and in partnership with the United Nations, the U.S. Forest Service, and Parks Canada. The video category will invite youth to submit videos about how they plan to celebrate their local forest. The Contest will launch at zoos, aquariums, museums, and nature centers across Canada on April 22, 2011 (Earth Day).
Have an urban naturalization project in mind for up to $10,000? Such spaces are great areas to get children into the outdoors. ACEE wants to make us aware of a Walmart - Evergreen Grant to undertake this work. http://www.evergreen.ca/en/funding/grants/walmart.sn
Juan Martinez, Children in Nature Natural Leaders Coordinator sent this note regarding an American initiative to make people aware of the value of spending time outdoors:
In the month of April 2011, the Children & Nature Network will launch a nationwide campaign to highlight you and your community’s efforts to connect all people with nature and make our mark as a movement on the rise. We have the opportunity to celebrate our joy for nature like no other generation before. This is not a call to action, it is a call for fun! Think of it as a party invitation, and the party location is all the green space around us. Community gardening, local hikes, river clean-ups, bird watching, fishing, biking, beach days—however you get outside, we want to hear about it!
From LIN we have an idea from Phoenix that will get kids out in open spaces that many Canadian municipalities could copy...
From LIN, a referral to an article in the Vancouver Sun making a case for natural play.
From C&NN we have an article that appeared in the Windsor Star espousing the benefits of outdoor play in a Canadian context.
That is all for now. May you all have a wonderful holiday season!
Cliff Lacey
Alberta Recreation and Parks Association
Children in Nature Specialist
