Connecting Children with Nature Action Forum
“Children are born with a sense of wonder and an affinity for nature. Properly cultivated, these values can mature into ecological literacy, and eventually into sustainable patterns of living.”
- Zenobia Barlow
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A Project of the World Forum Foundation's Nature Action Collaborative for Children
October 17 - 20, 2010
Arbor Day Farm’s Lied Lodge
Nebraska City, Nebraska, United States
Planet Earth is vulnerable to environmental threats of monumental proportions. Our current generation of leaders is only beginning to address these challenges. Globally we require dramatic progress in developing renewable energy sources, curbing encroachments on the natural environment, and fostering sustainable development.  Finding solutions to environmental challenges will require the best minds and best efforts of this and future generations. It is vital that we help today’s young children develop positive emotional connections with nature so that they will want to take action on behalf of the environment as adults.
The purpose of the Connecting Children with Nature Action Forum is to nurture future generations of environmental stewards by equipping and training 70 nature action teams from around the world to lead campaigns to connect children with nature in their communities, regions, and nations.
What is a Nature Action Team? 
Based on two previous Working Forums organized by the Nature Action Collaborative for Children, we now know that multi-disciplinary efforts to connect children with nature yield dramatic results. Therefore, we are inviting the participation of multi-disciplinary teams that include at least two of the following professions within their team – early childhood educators, environmental educators and advocates, designers, planners, landscape architects, community health experts.
Attendance will be limited. Teams can apply for participation at www.WorldForumFoundation.org/actionteams. Teams will be selected based in part on the order in which they are received, and in part on how they contribute to the geographic and professional diversity of the initiative. Teams are encouraged to submit their applications by March 15th, 2010.
How will Nature Action Teams Benefit?
At the Connecting Children with Nature Action Forum, teams will be provided with a wide range of tools and strategies to enable them to launch successful campaigns to connect children with nature:
- Each team will be provided unlimited access to in print and online Nature Education Action Kits in diverse languages which they can use to plan, promote and implement their campaigns. The kits will include research-based arguments on the value of connecting children with nature; PowerPoint presentations; collections of developmentally appropriate activities for parents and early childhood educators; dramatic graphics for posters; flyers and web pages; practical advice on conducting community forums, conferences, and public relations campaigns; and links to valuable resources.
 - The first day of the Forum will provide new ideas and inspiration as people currently engaged in innovative and effective nature-education projects from around the world share their stories.
- The second day of the Forum will provide training on the various strategies nature action teams can utilize in their campaigns -- organizing a national or regional conference; pulling together a local or regional coalition; holding community forums; launching family nature clubs; designing model nature spaces for children; creating multi-disciplinary college courses; encouraging parents and early childhood programs to connect children to nature; and advocating for public policies that promote connecting children to nature.
- During the final day, NACC consultants will provide technical assistance to teams to advance their projects.
- Throughout the Forum there will be time for personal nature connections on the property, musical interludes, delicious food from Arbor Day Farm’s fields, and many chances to share ideas with committed and knowledgeable nature-education advocates from 50 countries.
Who is Organizing this Forum?
This project is being led by the Nature Action Collaborative for Children of the World Forum Foundation. The Forum is being hosted by the Arbor Day Foundation, and the Nature Action Kits have been developed by Dimensions Educational Research Foundation. To learn more about these organizers, go to www.dimensionsfoundation.org and www.arborday.org. Funding for this Forum is provided by a growing number of sponsors including IBM Work/Life Fund.
How Can I Learn More about this Forum?
The website of the World Forum Foundation has a “Frequently Asked Questions” page which provides up-to-date information.
 “When we are dreaming alone it is only a dream. When we are dreaming with others, it is the beginning of reality” – Dom Helder Camara
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