Research
Children and Nature Worldwide: An Exploration of Children’s Experiences of the Outdoors and Nature with Associated Risks and Benefits, co-developed by the Children & Nature Network and the IUCN Commission on Education and Communication presents the best collection of research we could find on this topic.
Recent Articles/Editorials
10 ways to connect kids with nature (Providence Journal, Dec. 13, 2012)
Nature Nurtures Creativity After Four Days of Hiking (Science Daily, Dec. 12, 2012)
ECOVIEWS: Develop some natural play areas (Aiken Standard, Dec. 1, 2012
Take Two Hours of Pine Forest and Call Me in the Morning (Outside Magazine, Nov. 28, 2012)
Uganda: New Initiative to Interest Kids in Nature, Environment (AllAfrica.com, Nov. 24, 2012)
How kids can reconnect with nature on the playground (The Globe and Mail, Nov. 23, 2012)
If children lose contact with nature they won’t fight for it (The Guardian, Nov. 19, 2012)
Nature, children and play (Times of Malta, Nov. 18, 2012
On Being a Biologist: From “Living Alone in the World of Wounds” to the Joy of Connecting Children to Nature, by Bob Peart (New Nature Movement Blog, April 24, 2012)
Organizations
Appalachian Mountain Club’s Great Kids Outdoors
Child & Nature Alliance of Canada
Children & Nature Network
David Suzuki Foundation
The Get to Know Society has been inspiring connections between children and nature in the outdoors for over a decade
Green Hearts Institute for Nature in Childhood
Let’s Go Outside Revolution
Nature Explore is a collaboration of the Arbor Day Foundation and the Dimensions Educational Research Foundation
Natural England
Books
The Children & Nature Network provides, on its web site a publications section with links to Guides & Tool Kits, Leadership Writing, and Special Reports.
Selected Books by Richard Louv
Childhood’s Future
Last Child in the Woods: Saving our Children from Nature Deficit Disorder
The Nature Principle
The Web of Life: Weaving Values That Sustain Us
Selected Books by Stephen Kellert
Birthright: People and Nature in the Modern World
Biophilic Design: The Theory, Science and Practice of Bringing Buildings to Life, (also by Judith H. Heerwagen, and Martin L. Mador)
Companions in Wonder: Children and Adults Exploring Nature Together, (edited by Julie Dunlap)
Other Books
I Love Dirt! 52 Activities to Help You and Your Kids Discover the Wonder of Nature, by Jennifer Ward
Making Healthy Places: Designing and Building for Health, Well-being, and Sustainability, by Andrew L. Dannenberg, Howard Frumkin and Richard J. Jackson
The Nature Connection: An Outdoor Workbook for Kids, Families, and Classrooms, by Clare Walker Leslie
Sharing Nature With Children, by Joseph Cornell
Wild Play: Parenting adventures in the great outdoors, by David Sobel