The disconnect between today’s youth and the outdoors negatively impacts children’s health, and educational achievements. Modern culture, technology, and the built environment play a strong role in separating children and people from nature. Projects to re-connect children and nature include outdoor physical activity, educational and recreational programs, and creating outdoor natural spaces in communities. Conservation Education programs connect kids to nature through meaningful educational experiences and helps to heal the broken bonds between children and nature. People protect what they love, and only love what they understand and value. If we cannot help our children build stronger connections with nature now, it is possible that we will raise a generation with no inclination to enjoy or care for our most precious natural resources.
The Forest Service has a role—and a responsibility—in helping children connect with nature and their public lands, and in developing the knowledge, skills and attitudes to become environmentally-literate citizens. As the next generation of conservation stewards, it will be they who “care for the land and serve people” in the future. The health and sustainability of our Nation’s ecosystems are intricately linked to the health of its citizens and communities.
The Forest Service has a long and proud tradition of working with children. Today conservation education, interpretive services and NatureWatch programs throughout the agency—at every level, and on every National Forest and Grassland, Research Station and Area—reach millions of children and their educators each year. Thousands of partner organizations leveraging our resources help make these efforts possible.
The Forest Service’s Conservation Education program focuses its efforts on children (pre-kindergarten through 12th grade) and their educators in both formal and non-formal settings. It also coordinates with other Forest Service educational programs directed toward adults to ensure continuity and consistency of education materials and programs from childhood to adulthood.
Dizzying in their diversity, these education programs can be viewed as a quilt of many colors and textures. Individually, each piece and square is designed to meet the needs of local audiences and landscapes. Collectively, they form a whole that is greater than the sum of its parts. They are woven together by threads that ensure that we reach a diversity of audiences, with a diversity of delivery methods and that our efforts adhere to standards of professionalism.
For more information, contact Safiya Samman, Director of Conservation Education, 202-205-1241
Visit the Conservation Education Web site »
PARTNERING WITH THE FOREST SERVICE
