Resources for YOU

Tools and Ideas for Adults Who Share Nature with Kids

WEBSITES:

Science Alliance for Valuing the Environment (SAVE) - www.savenwoh.org/index.htm

SAVE in Northwest Ohio is housed at Lourdes College. SAVE's membership consists of concerned citizens of this Bio-Region, the Country, and this Continent, who pledge to act to preserve our precious Planet. In addition to other activities, SAVE supports and provides environmental educational programs for people of all ages to help promote the preservation of the Earth. SAVE has many environmental activities. On their website, you can find a list of their FREE public lectures about the environment and get information about initiatives such as raffles and nature contests for children.

Back to School: Back Outside! - Create High Performing Students - by Kevin J. Coyle, National Wildlife Federation

The National Wildlife Federation just released an informative report linking envrionmental education with psychological, cognitive, and educational outcomes. It's an easy read and has some materials and statistics that you may want to share.

Nature Circles - www.naturecircles.org

Hooked On Nature created Nature Circles to help inspire and empower people to develop joyful, loving, lifelong relationships – with each other and the nature world. Nature Circles are a great way to bring friends and family closer to each other and the amazing world of nature! Nature Circles are, in essence, outdoor book clubs where people get together to read the ‘book’ of nature and talk about their experience of the natural world.

Nature Rocks -www.NatureRocks.org

Nature Rocks is a national program to get American families outside and enjoying nature together. The website has links that help you Find Nature and Find Activities near you.

The Ohio Leave No Child Inside Collaboratives

List of many resources, including:
        * Classroom Materials and Guidance
        * Recommended Reading
        * Ideas and Inspiration
        * Parents' Guide to Outdoor Play
        * Music
        * Info and Data to Share at Parent Teacher Meetings

Planet Explore: Your Portal to the Outdoors

Pathways to Nature For Kids - from Wild Birds Unlimited

Rather than "going green," children are "going screen." This is a trend Wild Birds Unlimited is committed to reversing with its Pathways to Nature for Kids initiative. Developed in partnership with National Audubon Society, Pathways to Nature for Kids gives children from across North American the opportunity to connect with their natural world.
The website has activities, places to go, cool links and more.

OUTDOOR ACTIVITY GUIDES and LESSON PLANS:

Nature Rocks Day Activity Guide - Nature Rocks Day, September 25, 2010, is a day to get American families outside and enjoying nature together. Use this Activity Guide to inspire and educate kids.
A Parents' Guide to Nature Play - from Green Hearts Institute for Nature in Childhood
Roger Tory Peterson Institute of Natural History - They have a lot of resources for teaching nature to kids. Check them out.
Winter Scavenger Hunt - Print out this sheet and look for these items in the wintry outdoors!
"John Muir In the New World" Viewing and Discussion Guides - "John Muir In the New World" is a documentary film by Catherine Tatge. It aired on PBS in April 2011 in honor of Earth Day. The documentary can now be watched online at pbs.org, and the DVD can be purchased at Amazon and other video retailers. Viewing and Discussion Guides were created by Children & Nature Network and American Masters. Click on the links to download the Family Guide or the Educators Guide. These FREE guides offer inspiration and tips to help you get children outside.

HANDOUTS, POSTERS, etc.:

Ohio Leave No Child Inside Collaboratives - They provide some handouts and posters to print out that are intended for use at LNCI rallies/events but might be useful elsewhere, too.
Progression in the Out-of-Doors - by Corinne Laine, Girl Scouts USA - This chart from a 1953 Girl Scout manual shows the steps to get kids ready for outdoor experiences that progress from short times in the backyard to full backpacking trips. Good advice for anyone and still relevant today.

NATURE CAMPS FOR KIDS:
All Ohio Jr. Conservation Camp - June - in Fayette in Fulton County - Sponsored by the Soil & Water Conservation Districts & the Ohio State University Extension Office

WORKSHOPS:

Conservation Education Workshops in Defiance County - Defiance Soil & Water Conservation District
Grant Writing Workshops from Ohio Environmental Education Fund - http://www.epa.ohio.gov/oeef/grantwks.aspx

ENTERTAINERS:

Wilson Lake and the Rock Bass - A band that plays "Adventure Rock for All Ages!" We've been playing it in the Toledo area since 2004. So glad to see this initiative. All our music is about outdoor adventures. Contact us at our website, facebook or Twitter if you'd like to talk to us about playing your event.

REPORTS:

Back to School: Back Outside! - Create High Performing Students - by Kevin J. Coyle, National Wildlife Federation

Every Child Outdoors (1.1Mb) - by The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) in Great Britain

This report summarizes RSPB's research on kids and nature. Here's what how RSPB describes this report:
"We believe that every child should be entitled to regular contact with the natural environment. Our Every Child Outdoors research - summarised in this document - draws together the findings from the wide range of research that has been carried out into the positive impacts that contact with nature has on children, as well as on the environment."

Whole Child: Developing Mind, Body and Spirit through Outdoor Play - by National Wildlife Federation

The National Wildlife Federation issued this new health report. The report reveals how America's addiction to time indoors affects our physical and mental health. Reviewed by an independent panel of medical experts, Whole Child explores how regular, unstructure outdoor play can boost the health of a child's mind, body and spirit.

If YOU have resources that can help parents, teachers, group leaders, etc, get kids outside and learning about nature, TELL OUR WEBMASTER. We'll post it here!