Legislation/Policy News
Commentary | Health
Wall Street Journal – August 13, 2008
WSJ: Why Safe Kids Are Becoming Fat Kids
By Philip K. Howard
The desire to insulate children from all forms of risk is having unintended consequences, writes attorney Philip Howard in the Wall Street Journal’s Commentary section. “The harmful effects of our national safety obsession ripple outward into society. One in six children in America is obese, and many of them will face a lifetime of chronic illness.”
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National | Education
The San Francisco Examiner – July 17, 2007
U.S. Rep. John Sarbanes proposes bill to integrate environmental education into NCLB
By Carolyn Peirce
Building Bridges to the Outdoors will be holding its second year of weeklong Environmental Leadership trainings this week in conjunction with the Sierra Student Coalition (SSC). The leadership training program introduces, inspires and educates youth, especially under-represented minorities, about the significant and contemporary environmental issues facing their local communities.
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National | Education
Sierra Club – September 18, 2008
House Approves No Child Left Inside Act
The US House of Representatives passed the No Child Left Inside Act of 2008 on September 18. If signed into law, the act would support local and statewide efforts to expand and improve environmental education for public schools. The Sierra Club, among others, hailed the vote, saying that the act “provides a solution for reversing the trends of childhood obesity and ‘nature-deficit disorder’ that are afflicting a generation.” [+]
State
Las Cruces Sun-News – January 31, 2008
Proposed New Mexico Game Tax Prompts Opposition
By Susan Montoya Bryan
The tax on the sale of televisions and video games proposed recently in New Mexico is generating headlines across the country. While educators and outdoor groups support the initiation, gamers and some merchants find it objectionable and are poised to fight its passage.
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State
Democracy for New Mexico – January 13, 2008
Top Priority for New Mexico: Revenue for Outdoor Education
The Environmental Alliance of New Mexico, an informal coalition of more than a dozen organizations, held a news conference recently to announce four priority measures for the 2008 state legislative session. Topping the list: passage of the Leave No Child Inside Act, which will generate revenue for an outdoor educational programming fund through a 1 percent excise tax on the purchase of new televisions and video games.
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State
Sacramento Bee – September 17, 2007
Plan touts ‘no child left inside’
By M.S. Enkoji
California Children's Outdoor Bill of Rights urges kids to discover nature. Governors in at least 10 states, including California, have undertaken initiatives to promote what is billed in some states as "No Child Left Inside." The efforts vary from free entry to state parks for foster families in Connecticut to the nation's first collaboration between schools and state parks in New Mexico.
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National
Charleston Gazette – May 26, 2007
Agencies and organizations testify before Congress at “No Child Left Inside” hearing
By Dawn Miller
Speaking to two subcommittees of the House Committee on Natural Resources, panelists urged Congress to take action. Charleston Gazette staff writer Dawn Miller covers the story In Defense of Play.
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State
The Morning News – August 01, 2007
Beebe: Arkansas should be leader in environmental education
By John Lyon
Arkansas youngsters are within easy reach of nature wherever they are -- streams and lakes and rivers and hiking trails and outdoor opportunities. "Arkansas can and should be a leader -- it's our motto, the Natural State -- to encourage our young people to be able to get out and enjoy the outdoors," said Gov. Mike Beebe, speaking at a teachers' workshop on environmental education.
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C&NN has designated April "Children & Nature Awareness Month." As part of this effort, we invited network members (like you) to list their April programs and share their strategies for building public awareness. Find out what's happening in your community on the C&NN Movement Map.
As part of our ongoing efforts to build the movement, the Children & Nature Network has published two new resources for leaders, organizers, and participants at the local, national, and international levels:
An annotated bibliography of 20 premier studies focusing on the children and nature connection.
