Hello all Children in Nature subscribers. This is a long one!
This service is provided by the Alberta Recreation and Parks Association (ARPA). This is our June update. I have continued with the format showing the full 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.
Pearls of wisdom from Richard Louv about the ability of Nature to heal an injured soul. Go to
http://www.childrenandnature.org/blog/2011/03/21/the-nature-of-reality/
From the National Recreation and Parks Association (NRPA) a link to an article in Recreation management Magazine on Camp Colley, run by the City of Phoenix to introduce children to the outdoors. http://www.recmanagement.com/facility-profiles.php?fid=201103fp01&ch=3
From the Lifestyle Information Network (LIN) a link to an article in the Journal of Internal Medicine that outlines the level of exercise children are getting from organized sport. A good illustration of the need for more "free play" in nature. http://www.internalmedicinenews.com/news/adolescent-medicine/single-article/youth-sports-don-t-offer-quite-enough-exercise/073f7ee098.html
LIN provides us with a link to the Canadian Index of Wellbeing (CIW) housed at the U. of Waterloo. This website provides an interesting perspective on factors seen to affect our wellbeing as a population. It is peripheral to the Children in Nature core issues, but thought provoking, none-the-less. http://www.ciw.ca/en/Home.aspx
From LIN a link to the Robert Bateman Get to Know Program that encourages children to "get to know" their animal neighbours. Some great information and contacts on this Canadian site. http://www.gettoknow.ca/ca/
NRPA provides a link to an article outlining projects that the US Forest Service is undertaking to get kids outdoors. Many interesting ideas for governments, in this article. http://summitcountyvoice.com/2011/04/06/u-s-forest-service-grants-boost-kids-outdoor-programs/
LIN sends us to the Active Healthy Kids Canada website for into on the fitness report card for Canadian children. Go to http://www.activehealthykids.ca/ and rummage around. Some great information on this site.
From NRPA we get a link to a UPI article indicating green spaces hae a profound affect on peoples' generosity and overall good health. Further proof of the benefits of nature to humans. See article at http://www.upi.com/Health_News/2011/04/20/Parks-green-space-essential-for-health/UPI-52381303357528/ The same topic is covered in a different (similar) article in "The 7th Space". http://7thspace.com/headlines/380265/research_shows_that_a_walk_in_the_park_is_more_than_just_a_nice_way_to_spend_an_afternoon.html
LIN offers a PDF of a presentation from Dr. Liz Halpenny at the Alberta Parks Forum on technology in parks. I feel this approach is an excellent way to reach out to tech savvy kids. I attended this excellent presentation. This is NOT about virtual park tours, it IS about new tech and its application to park visitor services. Go to http://lin.ca/resource-details/19067 to download the file.
The Alberta Council for Environmental Education provides a link to a Convention on Biodiversity site with information on forest biodiversity. Potentially useful info for educators. http://www.cbd.int/idb/2011/booklet/?tab=0
From Ted Ritzer, Alberta Parks, an Algonquin Books YouTube video on Richard Louv's new book, "The Nature Principle". To see the video go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_tPLOsklo4I
NRPA provides a link to its' site listing 2010 research articles. One of particular interest is titled
"Parks and Other Green Environments: Essential Components of Healthy Human Environments". Take a look at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_tPLOsklo4I
LIN points us to an article in the RV Daily Report that outlines the release of the Alberta Conservation Associations' new app that outlines places in Alberta to see wildlife, fish and camp. Check out the article and get the app...I have it and it is great! http://rvdailyreport.com/news/id/12894/alberta-conservation-association-launches-alberta-outdoor-adventure-guide-iphone-app
I could not find a link to this article, recommended by Bill Reynolds, Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development. If you can find this issue, Bill recommends you give this article a read...THE VIEW FROM SCHOOL WINDOWS. By: AUGUSTIN, SALLY; CACKOWSKI-CAMPBELL, JEAN MARIE. Landscape Architecture, Mar2011, Vol. 101 Issue 3, p126-126.
LIN guides us to another presentation from the ARPA Parks Forum -The Edmonton Master Naturalist Program. This program can be used as a method of training community activists to offer outdoor experiences for young urban families. http://lin.ca/resource-details/19076
The Edmonton and Area Land Trust is an organization with a land base and information to offer for groups looking for spaces in nature. Visit their website to see what they are doing that could offer opportunities for Children in Nature. http://www.ealt.ca/
The Kesho Trust is an organization that help found the Child Nature Alliance of Canada. The Trust is planning a gathering in September. Visit their website for more info on this event. http://healthybynature.ca/
LIN directs us to an interesting article on the B.C. Provincial Parks system plan to have a 100th Anniversay passport system with rewards for young park visitors. A vehicle for getting youth into their parks. http://www.bclocalnews.com/bc_thompson_nicola/clearwatertimes/news/122773043.html
NRPA refers us to an article in Athletic Business Magazine on community gardens. This article reinforces some of the data collected in the ARPA/CPRA Pan Canadian Survey on Children in Nature....community gardens are rapidly becoming a very effective method of getting children outdoors. http://athleticbusiness.com/articles/article.aspx?articleid=3748&zoneid=10
NRPA refers us to the Kansas State Parks geocaching challenge. They are hiding two caches in each State Park to encourage the public to visit the parks as part of a visitor use promotion. Geocaching is seen an introductory technology to get "techie kids" outdoors. Go to http://kdwp.state.ks.us/KDWP-Info/News/Weekly-News/5-26-11/STATE-PARK-TREASURE-HUNTERS-ON-THE-LOOSE
Brian Keeting is the well known spokesperson for the Calgary Zoo. Brian has a website with information on animals and travel. There are some links that would assist with children's outdoor programming. You have to watch the "Beavers of the Bow" link! http://www.goingwild.org/
LIN has finally found us an example of a Canadian doctor writing "Nature Prescriptions". So many examples of this have come from the US, this is welcome information. http://www.insidehalton.com/community/health/article/1020672
From my wife! A great link to a robin's nest video, suitable for viewing with children to get them interested in getting outside to look for nests. http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=9479342&server=vimeo.com&show_title=0&show_byline=0&show_portrait=0&color=00ADEF&fullscreen=1
From Gareth Thomson, Executive Director of the Alberta Council for Environmental Education a link to a Sesame Street video song to encourage young children to get outside. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZrqF7yD10Bo To visit the ACEE site, click here:
Bill Reynolds came through with another link to an interesting site in Montreal. The GAHN Project...you will have to click on this link to find out what it is.http://www.urbanecology.net/current-projects
The Children in Nature Network has so much information on this topic it is impossible to know where to start. Please visit their site at http://www.childrenandnature.org/
Cliff Lacey, ARPA
Children and Nature Specialist
