They quote Lenore Skenazy of New York City - she has a blog called FreeRangeKids. I've spoken with her on the phone before. Lots of common connections between our issues and this one.

(Edited to add...)
http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1940395,00.html" target="_blank">http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1940395,00.html

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL MY FRIENDS WHO WERE BORN IN THE 1930's 1940's, 50's, 60's, 70's and early 80's !

First, we survived being born to mothers who smoked and/or drank while they carried us and lived in houses made of asbestos. They took aspirin, ate blue cheese, raw egg products, loads of bacon and processed meat, tuna from a can, and didn't get tested for diabetes or cervical cancer.

Then after that trauma, our baby cots were covered with bright coloured lead-based paints.

We had no childp… Continue

As we ramp up our Canadian efforts to build the children and nature movement, we've entered a contest and we need your help to get us there! Here are the details!

1. Go here: http://tinyurl.com/yh6dbcg
2. Log in,
3. then go to "Environment & Conservation"
4. and scroll down to "Inside OUT - a natural revolution for children and families" and cast your 3 votes by clicking on the little 'vote' button under the tallied vote number!



THANKS!

Becs Hosk… Continue

I love Rich’s idea of button parks! and people’s personal connection to creating them.

Pogo Park, in Richmond, California, is another inspiring example of neighbors engaging
neighbors to put their hearts into the restoration of a small inner city park and creating safe
access to the park with a Yellow Brick Road. This community venture is restoring the neighborhood as well as the park.

Read about the community planning process and the amazing transformation taking shape.… Continue

Remember the special place in nature that you had as a child — that wooded lot at the end of the cul de sac, that ravine behind your housing tract? What if adults had cared just as much about that special place as you did, when you were a child?

In the spirit of the Do it Yourself, Do it Now philosophy of the Children & Nature Network, here’s an idea whose time may be coming: the creation of “nearby-nature trusts.” Land trust organizations could develop and distribute tool kits, and perhaps… Continue

Did you know.....?

Professional singer and songwriter Jenny Morgan has produced a CD of songs for the Children & Nature movement. These are available for purchase online. Because she is extremely dedicated to the movement (and is founder of the Leave No Child INSIDE Central Ohio Collaborative) she can work out affordable licensing agreements for you to use the music in promotional DVDs, TV ads, Web sites, etc.

Please visit www.NatureNeedsKids.com… Continue

Yesterday morning, twelve cars travelled up the Blue Ridge Parkway towards Peaks of Otter. Looking back at the long line of cars was only a foreshadowing of the fun that was about to happen. Big kids, little kids, and some brave parents took on the challenge of getting to the top.

Here’s a reference:
http://www.kidsadventuring.org/gallery/displayimage.php?album=26&pos=2
That’s the top fr… Continue

The deadline for Governors to sign onto Governor O'Malley's letter urging Education Secretary Arne Duncan to support the No Child Left Inside ammendment is November 20th. So far, O'Malley is joined by Governors from CT, KS, OH, VI, NM, WI, ME, OR, KY, IL, WI, CO and VA. Governor Schwarzenegger’s office has expressed support for NCLI, but has not yet signed on to the letter.

If you have any questions, please contact me. The letter is inserted below:

July 10, 2009

The Honorable Arne Duncan
Secr… Continue

Maryland has released its annual Partnership for Children in Nature Work Plan. This plan outlines short-terms goals that can be achieved with existing funds. Although times are tough for states, the urgency to get our kids connected to nature remains. The annual work plan aims to accomplish some of the recommendations put forth by the Maryland Partnership for Children in Nature. For more information, please visit http://www.dnr.state.md.us/cin/

I'm watching Sesame Street for the first time in 20+ years -- Today the theme is habitat, and Big Bird is trying to decide if he's going to migrate. A Black-bellied whistling duck is doing a parody on The Maltese Falcon. There are activities for parents and teachers http://www.pbs.org/parents/sesame/activities.html Michelle Obama is planting a vegetable garden. Kids are learning how to leap like a frog.

Cheryl says that the CEO of… Continue