Outdoor and Environmental Education

No Child Left Inside

The No Child Left Inside Coalition is a broad-based organization made up of more than 1000 member groups from across the United States. The membership includes environmental, educational, business, public health, outdoor recreation and conservation groups. With tens of millions of members represented, the NCLI Coalition speaks for a diverse group of Americans who believe young people should receive a strong education about their natural world.  

The Coalition’s focus is passage of the federal No Child Left Inside Act.  This legislation would authorize major new funding for states to provide high-quality, environmental instruction. Funds would support outdoor learning activities both at school and in non-formal environmental education centers, teacher training, and the creation of state environmental literacy plans.

Nassau BOCES is a member of this Coalition as well as a founding organization of the Long Island-based group: LINCK (Long Island Nature Collaborative for Kids). LINCK has been active in reaching out to schools, libraries, nature centers, and child care agencies along with landscapers and architects to develop Nature Explore Classrooms across Long Island.

LINCK sponsored the first NCLI Conference on March 12, 2009 at the Islandia Marriot where Richard Louv was the keynote speaker. His book is a  MUST read!

t Nassau BOCES Outdoor Education presented 2 workshops at the LINCK Conference - see our Power Points for ways to connect kids to the outdoors:

• Ways to Connect Kids and Nature
• Self-Contained and Integrated Special Needs Programs

Resources
There are numerous benefits when we re-connect children with nature. This webpage will be a collection of resources, research and stories about kids in the outdoors

• Organizations:
  • Arbor Day Foundation: http://www.arborday.org/index.cfm
  • Dimensions -Educational Research Foundation: http://www.dimensionsfoundation.org/
  • LINCK: http://linck.org/
  • Nature Explore Classroom: http://www.arborday.org/explore/
  • National Wildlife Foundation
    • Be Out There: check this great site for ideas and activities!
    • Time Out: this PDF references all of the current research
  • No Child Left Inside:
    http://www.cbf.org/site/PageServer?pagename=act_
    sub_actioncenter_federal_NCLB
• Articles, Websites and Discussions
  • "Babies Know a Little Dirt is good for You"
    • http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/27/
      health/27brod.html
    • Common Soil Bacteria Can Have Antidepressant Effects
  • Best Practices in Play: In municipalities across America, engaged citizens and civic leaders are actively seeking innovative ways to improve the accessibility, quality, and quantity of play and play spaces for children. To help cities build awareness & political capital and develop a policy on play, KaBOOM! identified 12 relevant and innovative best practices in play. Check out the full report here
  • Connecting Kids to Nature through the Arts
    • Resources for incorporating the arts in the study of nature, courtesy of Dr. Heather Forest from Story Arts: Observation, Wonder, Curiosity and Imagination
    • NSTA publication: May/June 09 issue of Science and Children; The Artistic Oceanographer
  • LI Business news article: Educators Decide Nature Makes the Perfect Classroom
  • LI Parent magazine article: Nature: The Ultimate Equalizer This article by Mary Watros, site director of Nassau BOCES Environmental Center in Brookville is about how kids, and especially those with special needs, have the chance to "shine" when involved with activities based in the outdoors. You can read the May/June 2009 article (page 22) online at: http://www.liparentonline.com/liparentmagonline.html
  • Richard Louv"s website (author of Last Child in the Woods:) http://www.childrenandnature.org/blog/
  • Where Do Children Play? Michigan PBS produced a great documentary on the importance of play
    http://www.wfum.org/childrenplay/play.html
  • Suggested resources and links:
    http://www.wfum.org/childrenplay/resources.html
  • YouTube video on NCLI:
    - Get 'em Outside
    - NCLI - Rethinking No Child Left Behind
    - A Conversation with Richard Louv

Contact:

Outdoor & Environmental Education Program
enviroed@mail.nasboces.org
Phone: (516) 396-2264
Fax: (516) 333-6432