Children & Nature Network
The mission of the Children & Nature Network is to give every child in every community a wide range of opportunities to experience nature directly, reconnecting children with nature's joys and lessons, its profound physical and mental bounty. Board members include published authors, educators, entrepreneurs, researchers, academics, youth leaders, and business and organizational leaders. The co-founders of the Children & Nature Network bring a substantial set of accomplishments as recipients of awards and recognition for their research, leadership, journalism, educational program development and entrepreneurship. The term "nature-deficit disorder" was coined by author Richard Louv in his book "Last Child in the Woods" to describe what happens to children who become disconnected from their natural world. Louv associates this separation from nature to some of the most disturbing childhood trends, such as the rises in obesity, attention disorders, and depression. Research indicates that getting children outdoors helps reduce attention disorders.
Mission
The Children & Nature Network was created to encourage and support the people and organizations working to reconnect children with nature.