Cities Connecting Children to Nature initiative adds 15 new cities to program

Researchers have correlated entry to nature with optimistic impacts like decrease stress and nervousness, main to larger educational achievement, elevated emotional studying, stronger social connections, higher self-worth, and a larger sense of environmental stewardship. But in at the moment’s constructed setting, the place concrete and brick dominate landscapes, nature is commonly a automobile drive or prepare experience away—and that’s out of attain for a lot of kids and younger individuals.

An ongoing partnership between the Children & Nature Network and the National League of Cities, referred to as Cities Connecting Children to Nature is breaking down that barrier by bringing nature to kids, no matter the place they stay.

“We know that the first five years of life are crucial for children’s healthy development. Connecting young children to nature during zero to five has many long-term benefits, such as improving physical and mental health, promoting connectedness with nature, and preparing children for school,” mentioned Andrew Moore, director of youth and younger grownup connections on the cities league. On Friday, the initiative introduced that 15 new cities that may “join a national peer network of 32 other cities working to increase access to nature for all children, regardless of race, income or ability,” in accordance to a press release from the collaborative.

The first cohort of seven cities was launched in 2016, adopted by a second group of cities in 2018 and a 3rd final yr. To interact kids with the outside, the program encourages mayors to “harness mayoral leadership to set a policy platform and align city agencies around goals,” a earlier report explaining the collaborative’s targets says.

When the initiative launched in Austin, Tx., one of many first collaborating pilot cities, this meant including pure parts like logs, stumps and boulders to play areas in public parks. It additionally meant together with outside studying alternatives to early childcare facilities and making nature-based applications accessible for preschoolers. The targets lengthen past easy interplay.

“We want to connect youth to nature in their own neighborhoods as well as give them the skills to reach the mountain tops.” mentioned Mayor Aaron Brockett, of Boulder, Colo., one of many new collaborating cities. “We envision a successful early childhood nature connection initiative for Boulder that may also serve as a model for others.”

The different cities included on this newest cohort are Imperial Beach, Calif.; Batesville, Ark.; Boise, Id.; Detroit, Mich.; Doral, Fla.; Fort Worth, Tx.; Houston, Tx.; New Orleans, La.; New York, N.Y.; Prescott, Ariz.; St. Louis, Mo.; (*15*), Fla.; Tucson, Ariz.; and White Salmon, Wash.

Looking forward, the Cities Connecting Children to Nature collaboration will present technical help for cross-departmental groups and community-based organizations, serving to them create applications, set up partnerships, draft insurance policies and construct infrastructure to “help young children, regardless of race, income or ability, learn, play and grow with nature as a key part of their daily lives,” the assertion continues.

Participating cities often interact in peer studying alternatives and obtain specialised help to assist them meet their particular targets.

“The COVID pandemic showed how critical easily accessible, daily access to green space is for families and young children to thrive,” mentioned Monica Lopez Magee, senior vice chairman of cities and neighborhood engagement on the Children & Nature Network. “These 15 cities join a growing network of cities across the country that understand the value of nature and green space for all children. It’s an opportunity to tap into progress achieved by other cities and learn how the lessons can apply to them, so they too can expand equitable access to nature for young children in their city.”

For extra details about the Cities Connecting Children to Nature undertaking, or to find out about chosen cities’ targets, contact [email protected].