Reversing Nature Deficit
Encyclopedia
Reversing Nature Deficit is an environmental program operated by the National Wildlife Federation
.
Societal movement to reconnect children with nature and introduce the importance of the outdoors as a health benefit for children and adults, inspired by the book by journalist Richard Louv
, Last Child in the Woods
. Louv coined the phrase "nature deficit disorder" to describe the wide range of behavioral problems in children that may be caused by the sharp reduction of unstructured time spent in the outdoors.
As part of the movement, the National Wildlife Federation developed a policy plan that aims to reconnect children with nature and the outdoors through advocating for environmental education
, educating the public health community about nature deficit disorder
, increasing opportunities for outdoor recreation experiences for children through better design and access, and embarking on a national public outreach campaign to encourage parents to build in regular time for unstructured outdoor play.
book Last Child in the Woods
, in 2006 the National Wildlife Federation launched the Reversing Nature Deficit campaign. Through NWF programs and in partnership with education, health care, natural resources and other environmental organizations, the campaign aims to confront the problem of nature deficit in America's children. In 2008, NWF published Connecting Kids with Nature, a policy action plan prepared by Heather White, Esq., Director of Education Advocacy for the National Wildlife Federation. Also in 2008, NWF gathered thousands of signatures for a petition to the U.S. Surgeon General , urging him to recommend increased time in the outdoors for children.
National Wildlife Federation
The National Wildlife Federation is the United States' largest private, nonprofit conservation education and advocacy organization, with over four million members and supporters, and 48 state and territorial affiliated organizations...
.
Societal movement to reconnect children with nature and introduce the importance of the outdoors as a health benefit for children and adults, inspired by the book by journalist Richard Louv
Richard Louv
Richard Louv is an American nonfiction author and journalist. He is best known for his seventh book, Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children From Nature-Deficit Disorder , which investigates the relationship of children and the natural world in current and historical contexts...
, Last Child in the Woods
Last Child in the Woods
Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children From Nature-Deficit Disorder is a 2005 book by author Richard Louv that documents decreased exposure of children to nature in American society and how this "nature-deficit disorder" harms children and society...
. Louv coined the phrase "nature deficit disorder" to describe the wide range of behavioral problems in children that may be caused by the sharp reduction of unstructured time spent in the outdoors.
As part of the movement, the National Wildlife Federation developed a policy plan that aims to reconnect children with nature and the outdoors through advocating for environmental education
Environmental education
Environmental education refers to organized efforts to teach about how natural environments function and, particularly, how human beings can manage their behavior and ecosystems in order to live sustainably. The term is often used to imply education within the school system, from primary to...
, educating the public health community about nature deficit disorder
Nature deficit disorder
Nature Deficit Disorder, a term coined by Richard Louv in his 2005 book Last Child in the Woods, refers to the alleged trend that children are spending less time outdoors, resulting in a wide range of behavioral problems...
, increasing opportunities for outdoor recreation experiences for children through better design and access, and embarking on a national public outreach campaign to encourage parents to build in regular time for unstructured outdoor play.
History
Inspired by the Richard LouvRichard Louv
Richard Louv is an American nonfiction author and journalist. He is best known for his seventh book, Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children From Nature-Deficit Disorder , which investigates the relationship of children and the natural world in current and historical contexts...
book Last Child in the Woods
Last Child in the Woods
Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children From Nature-Deficit Disorder is a 2005 book by author Richard Louv that documents decreased exposure of children to nature in American society and how this "nature-deficit disorder" harms children and society...
, in 2006 the National Wildlife Federation launched the Reversing Nature Deficit campaign. Through NWF programs and in partnership with education, health care, natural resources and other environmental organizations, the campaign aims to confront the problem of nature deficit in America's children. In 2008, NWF published Connecting Kids with Nature, a policy action plan prepared by Heather White, Esq., Director of Education Advocacy for the National Wildlife Federation. Also in 2008, NWF gathered thousands of signatures for a petition to the U.S. Surgeon General , urging him to recommend increased time in the outdoors for children.
Programs Working to Reverse Nature Deficit
- Green HourGreen HourGreen Hour is an educational program of the National Wildlife Federation, created in response to a growing disconnect between nature and children, a condition dubbed Nature deficit disorder by Richard Louv in his book Last Child in the Woods...
campaign - Great American Backyard Campout
- Wildlife Watch
- Make Tracks! Family Trail Weekend
- NatureQuest
Articles About Reversing Nature Deficit
- Association for Experiential Education
- Kidsville News
- Grist.org
- Treehugger.com
- 10 Reasons Kids Need Fresh Air
Partners
- American Recreation Coalition
- National Recreation and Parks Association
- Sierra ClubSierra ClubThe Sierra Club is the oldest, largest, and most influential grassroots environmental organization in the United States. It was founded on May 28, 1892, in San Francisco, California, by the conservationist and preservationist John Muir, who became its first president...
- Chesapeake Bay FoundationChesapeake Bay FoundationThe Chesapeake Bay Foundation is a non-profit organization devoted to the restoration and protection of the Chesapeake Bay in the United States. It was founded in 1967 and has headquarters offices in Annapolis, Maryland...
- Association of Children Museums