Governor O’Malley Endorses Recommendations of
the Maryland Partnership for Children in Nature
State work plan to be released this fall
Governor O’Malley Announces Maryland Children's Outdoor Bill Of Rights
Museums, Zoos, Other Informal Settings Can Boost
Science Learning
National Academy of Sciences Report Offers
Guidance for Improving These Experiences
Braddock Middle School Students
Volunteer at Green Ridge State Forest
Benefits of Nature for
Children
Children, Youth and Environments Center for Research
and Design, University of Colorado at Denver and Health Sciences
Center - Fact Sheet
Wetlands & Wonder: Reconnecting Children with Nearby Nature
US Environmental Protection Agency video explores the need to preserve America's urban wetlands.
"Where Do the Children Play?" is a one-hour documentary for public television that examines how restrictive patterns of sprawl, congestion, and endless suburban development across America are impacting children's mental and physical health and development.
Statement from Governor O'Malley
House Approval of No Child Left Inside Act
August 29, 2008
Expanding Environmental Education
A Message from Governor O'Malley
As one part of the State of Maryland’s commitment to re-connecting children and nature, Governor O’Malley has signed the Partnership for Children in Nature Executive Order. This Executive Order forms a public-private partnership that aims to provide structured and unstructured play activities for children in the outdoors.
What Maryland DNR is Doing
Our aim is to provide kids with unstructured play opportunities. We are doing this by helping families get connected with nature on our public lands, by working with local governments to provide natural play zones in new housing developments, and by increasing the number of schoolyard habitats for public and private schools.
Learn more about ....
The Issue
Today’s youth are increasingly disconnected with nature and spend less time outdoors than any other time in recent history. As a result, childhood obesity rates are increasing at alarming levels, children are not developing a sense of personal stewardship for the Earth, and we are losing a valuable cultural heritage of being connected to the place we live.
Studies have shown that children are smarter, more cooperative, happier and healthier when they spend frequent, unstructured play time outdoors. But, we don’t need studies to tell us this! Remember when you were a kid and you spent the whole summer outdoors? Times have changed, and the way children play has changed, but the need for kids to connect with nature has not.
How are the Maryland Partnership for Children in Nature and the NCLI Coalition different?
Click here to find out.
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