A FREE Professional Development Workshop for North Carolina’s PreK-5th  Grade Teachers
This workshop will provide educators with strategies to easily incorporate outdoor experiences, gardening, storytelling and art into their curriculum in an effort to improve student health and learning.

First Environments Early Learning Center provides the ideal site for educators to learn from a model facility that successfully incorporates outdoor learning into the curriculum. Hands-on, real world experiences will be emphasized! Content and activities are aligned with the NC Foundations for Early Learning and the NC Standard Course of Study for K-5 Science, Social Studies, Language Arts, Mathematics and Healthy Living. Participants are expected commit to the entire institute and incorporate learned skills and experiences into their teaching in the classroom. In return, they will receive experiences with a variety of outstanding environmental educators and researchers, a wealth of new ideas and instructional resources to enhance classroom teaching, CEU and Environmental Education Certification Credits.

Eligibility
Open to North Carolina early childhood educators and administrators and public, private or charter school teachers or administrators of grades PreK-5. Multiple teachers from the same school or center are encouraged to apply. Note: While the workshop is open to educators state-wide, preference will be given to applications from the 36-county Albemarle-Pamlico National Estuary Program region.

Cost: FREE
Note: Because a limited number of seats are available for this workshop, we require a $50 deposit to officially reserve your space when you receive notice that you have been accepted. Your check will not be deposited unless you cancel without a suitable replacement. It would then be considered a tax-deductible gift to the Environmental Education Fund. The check will be returned to you upon arrival at the workshop.

The workshop is made available by the Environmental Education Fund, with funding provided by the Albemarle-Pamlico National Estuary Program. Host site and facilitation provided by the First Environments Early Learning Center. The workshop is administered by the NC Office of Environmental Education and Public Affairs.

Partners include the the NC Zoo, the Center for Education, Imagination and the Natural World, the UNC-CH School of Information and Library Sciences, the Natural Learning Initiative at NC State University, NC Cooperative Extension Forestry , the NC Department of Environment and Natural Resources and others.

*For more information or to apply, click here.
Applications must be submitted by September 1, 2010. Applicants will be notified of their acceptance status no later than September 8, 2010.

Possibility Parenting, run and created by Dr. DeBored has made available Online Sessions for parents who are looking for new ways to connect with their kids.

This free resource that is provided by Possibility Parenting, provides a 30-minute introductory webinar on “What to do for Fun outdoors with Kids” on July 14th at 4PM (EST).

If you are interested in this quick, easy way to gather new ideas for you, your kids and the great outdoors, go and sign up here!

NCCAN! is proud to highlight one of their affiliates, OAK,  through the Children and Nature Network.

Outdoors Alliance for Kids Established to Connect Children and Families with the Great Outdoors

First Lady’s Let’s Move campaign introduces outdoors component as organizations unite.

Washington, DC—As First Lady Michelle Obama unveiled the Let’s Move OUTSIDE initiative today in Las Vegas, expanding her campaign to solve childhood obesity, a broad coalition representing the business and non-profit communities announced a national strategic partnership called the Outdoors Alliance for Kids (OAK). OAK brings together the YMCA of the USA, REI, Sierra Club, National Wildlife Federation, Izaak Walton League of America, The Outdoor Foundation, National Recreation and Park Association and the Children & Nature Network, collectively representing over 30 million members, to address the growing divide between children and families and the natural world.

Today’s children are spending less time outdoors in nature than any generation in history. At the same time, one in three American kids is overweight or obese; more than half of all children in the United States are deficient in Vitamin D; prescriptions for ADHD medications are on the rise; and stress, anxiety and depression rates among youth are increasing. Studies suggest that spending time outdoors in green spaces can improve the mental and physical health of children. OAK member organizations are united by the belief that the well-being of current and future generations, and the health of our planet and communities depend on humans having a personal, direct and life-long relationship with nature and the outdoors.

OAK issued the following statement:

The conditions are right for making lasting changes in the ways children, youth and families relate to nature. Already this spring, the Obama Administration and Congress have taken critical steps to reverse the trend towards indoor sedentary lifestyles with the announcement of the America’s Great Outdoors initiative and the inclusion of the Moving Outdoors in Nature component of the Healthy CHOICES Act introduced by Congressman Ron Kind.

Today’s launch of the Let’s Move Outside initiative highlights the important role our public lands, and all green spaces large and small, play in the development of healthy kids, healthy families and healthy communities. It is time to band together to ensure these and additional initiatives achieve their purpose and get kids off the couch and into nature.

OAK (www.outdoorsallianceforkids.org) is calling for local, state and national legislative and administrative policies and initiatives to reconnect children, youth and families with the natural world outdoors. Specifically, OAK is working to:

• Strengthen the connections between health and wellbeing and time spent outdoors by encouraging a robust Let’s Move Outside initiative (www.letsmove.gov) and the passage of the Moving Outdoors in Nature Act recently introduced by Congressman Ron Kind of Wisconsin as part of the Healthy CHOICES Act
• Strengthen the connections between land conservation and time spent outdoors by participating in the national dialogue around America’s Great Outdoors
• Empower youth leaders to advance the movement to connect children and families with the outdoors by supporting events and initiatives that prepare diverse youth for leadership roles, like Outdoor Nation and the Natural Leaders Network
• Promote resources and events that help children, youth and families reconnect with the great outdoors. Resources can be found on the OAK website. Upcoming events include:
  • National Trails Day® – 6/5 – (www.americanhiking.org)
  • National Parks Fee-Free Weekends – 6/5, 6/6, 8/14, 8/15, 9/25 – (http://www.nps.gov/findapark/feefreeparks.htm)
  • National Get Outdoors Day – 6/12 – (www.nationalgetoutdoorsday.org)
  • Outdoor Nation – 6/19, 6/20 – (www.outdoornation.org)
  • Great American Backyard Campout – 6/26 – (www.beoutthere.org)
  • Park and Recreation Month – July – (www.nrpa.org)
  • World’s Largest Campfire – 7/14 – (www.ymca.net)

About Children & Nature Network

The Children & Nature Network (C&NN) was created to encourage and support the people and organizations working nationally and internationally to reconnect children with nature. The network provides a critical link between researchers and individuals, educators and organizations dedicated to children’s health and well-being. For more information, visit www.childrenandnature.org.

About the Izaak Walton League of America

One of the earliest conservation organizations in the United States, the Izaak Walton League was formed in 1922 to save outdoor America for future generations. With a grassroots network of nearly 270 local chapters nationwide, the League takes a common-sense approach toward protecting our country’s natural heritage and improving outdoor recreation opportunities for all Americans. For more information, visit www.iwla.org.

About National Recreation and Park Association

The National Recreation and Park Association is a national not-for-profit organization dedicated to advancing park, recreation and conservation efforts that enhance quality of life for all people. Through its network of roughly 21,000 recreation and park professionals and citizens, NRPA encourages the promotion of healthy lifestyles, recreation initiatives, and conservation of natural and cultural resources.  For more information, visit www.nrpa.org.

About National Wildlife Federation

The National Wildlife Federation is America’s largest conservation organization. We work with more than 4 million members, partners and supporters in communities across the country to protect and restore wildlife habitat, confront global warming and connect people with nature. For more information, visit www.nwf.org.

About The Outdoor Foundation

Outdoor Foundation’s vision is to be a driving force behind a massive increase in active outdoor recreation in America. We are an inclusive organization made up of, and supported by, broad-based coalitions and partnerships that share the common interest of promoting healthy outdoor lifestyles. We provide an inspirational bridge to the outdoors for a diverse range of individuals and organizations. We are a transparent, fiscally responsible organization that is adequately funded to achieve our Core Purpose. We serve as a credible source of information for our stakeholders, partners and policy-makers. For more information, visit www.outdoorfoundation.org.

About REI

REI is a national outdoor retailer dedicated to inspiring, educating and outfitting its members and the community for a lifetime of outdoor adventure and stewardship. Founded in 1938 by a group of Pacific Northwest mountaineers seeking quality equipment, REI is committed to promoting environmental stewardship and increasing access to outdoor recreation through volunteerism, gear donations and financial contributions. The company offers a wide range of in-store classes, presentations and events across the nation to serve as a resource to outdoor enthusiasts of all abilities and interests. REI’s Family Adventure Program, a free program highlighting fun activities and local hikes and bike rides, helps families explore the outdoors together. For more information, visit www.rei.com

About the Sierra Club

The Sierra Club is America’s oldest, largest, and most influential grassroots environmental organization. Inspired by nature, we are 1.3 million of your friends and neighbors, working together to protect our communities and the planet. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.

About YMCA of the USA

The nation’s 2,687 YMCAs serve 21 million people each year, including more than 9 million children under the age of 18. YMCAs respond to critical social needs by drawing on their collective strength as one of America’s largest not-for-profit community service organizations. Through a variety of programs and services focused on the holistic development of children and youth, family strengthening, and health and well-being for all, YMCAs unite men, women and children of all ages, faiths, backgrounds, abilities and income levels. From urban areas to small towns, YMCAs have proudly served America’s communities for nearly 160 years by building healthy spirit, mind and body for all. Visit www.ymca.net to find your local YMCA.

Dear NCCAN! Conference participants and supporters of getting children outside in NC!

I wanted to give you all the opportunity to get your information as a supporter listed on the NC Children’s Outdoor Bill of Rights website before we “go live.” We’re still fixing details and getting it all ready for release this week, but we’d love to list you as an individual or organizational supporter.

You can reply to me with your name as you would like listed for individual supporter or your organization name and website. Please do not distribute widely at this point, we’ll put out a press release soon!

Show your support for the new NC Children’s Outdoor Bill of Rights by joining on the website at www.nckidsoutdoors.org and sign on as an individual, for your organization, and encourage folks to take part in the poster contest.

Together we can make things happen!

If you have a donation for prizes for the poster contest or a small monetary donation for poster printing, we appreciate it. No donation is necessary to be listed as a supporter. EENC will handle any donations for the contest and posters, and donations are tax deductible.

Thanks for all you do! Everyone keep up the great work!

-Shelby

If you have any questions please contact me at shelby.gull.laird@gmail.com

Proclamation: Children and Nature Awareness Month

Stakeholders representing education, business, healthcare, media, foundations, nonprofits, and government have formed a statewide coalition committed to reconnecting children and nature.  The state has manyorganizations and businesses throughout the state offering resources for families, educators, health care professionals and community planners to assist them in promoting children’s outdoor activities and building connections to nature. The NC CAN! Coalition will serve as the N.C. affiliate of the National Children and Nature Network.  

Children who play regularly in natural environments show more advanced motor fitness, including balance and agility, are sick less often, and have fewer incidences of obesity.  Exposure to natural environments improves children’s cognitive development by improving their awareness, reasoning and observational skills; and children who have contact with nature score higher on tests of concentration and self-discipline.

Play in a diverse natural environment reduces or eliminates anti-social behavior such as violence, bullying, vandalism and littering, as well reduces absenteeism, stimulates social interaction between children, and promotes positive feelings about each other. When children play in natural environments, their play is more diverse with imaginative and creative play, and promotes the development of powers of observation and problem solving which foster language and collaborative skills.

Play in nature buffers the impact of life stress on children and helps them deal with adversity as well as instills a sense of peace and being at one with the world; and are important to children’s development of independence and autonomy.

Children who build connections with the natural world through outdoor play are providing with the tools they need to succeed in school and in life; and equips young people with both practical skills and broader intellectual abilities.  The natural beauty of N.C. offers many places where families and friends can learn, exercise, create meaningful memories, and give our children the opportunity to be reintroduced to nature and the fun adventures it holds.

I, Beverly Perdue, Governor of the State of North Carolina, do hereby proclaim April 2010, as “Children and Nature Awareness Month” and call upon the people of North Carolina to recognize and participate in this special observance to so all they can to help our state’s children experience and enjoy the wonders of Nature

NCCAN! is now listed on the National Children and Nature Ning network, a social media venue made up of folks interested in sharing ideas, discussions, and information regarding efforts to promote children and nature. NCCAN! can be found at: childrenandnature.ning.com/group/ncchildrenandnaturecoalition

ASHEBORO, N.C.—The North Carolina Children and Nature Coalition(NCCAN!), a project of the N.C. Zoological Society, now has an ADDY® award-winning logo, designed and donated by Cary Murphy of Artizen, Inc.in Charlotte.

The ADDY® is awarded by the American Advertising Federation (AAF) –Charlotte. Artizen received the award for its design on behalf of NCCAN! and the NC Zoological Society. The logo features the organization’s name with a child rising above and playing in leaves.

NCCAN!, a statewide coalition under the umbrella of the N.C. Zoological Society, works with the N.C. Zoo and other stakeholders to create a cultural shift across the state that promotes children getting outdoors, engaging in play and connecting to nature.
“NCCAN!’s vision is that children will have the opportunity to value, discover and experience the natural world around them,” said Kathy Bull, external affairs director for the N.C. Zoo Society and chair of the NCCAN! Coalition. “NCCAN!’s mission is to establish a relationship between children and the natural world by bringing together people and organizations to strengthen, broaden and support efforts that build these connections.”  

Artizen Studios in Charlotte is a cross media art and design studio including website, multimedia, collateral, print, brochure, interactive and animation.

The ADDY® Awards are the advertising industry’s largest and most representative competition, attracting more than 50,000 entries every year in local ADDY® competitions. The mission of the ADDY® competition is to recognize and reward creative excellence in the art of advertising.

For information on NCCAN!, visit the website www.ncchildrenandnature.org or call 336-879-7286. For information about Artizen Studios, visit their website www.artizenstudio.com or call (980) 322-0278.

The North Carolina Zoological Society is a private, non-profit organization that supports the North Carolina Zoo and conservation. The zoo is an agency of the N.C. Department of Environment & Natural Resources, Dee Freeman, Secretary; Beverly Perdue, Governor.