The U.S. Forest Service recently launched More Kids in the Woods, a pilot program aimed at connecting kids with nature through experiential learning and recreation programs, held mainly on national forests. The Forest Service has awarded more than $500,000 in challenge cost share funds to 24 programs and these funds have been matched or exceeded by many generous partners, resulting in a total of $1.5 million flowing into the More Kids in the Woods effort.
Funding recipients were announced on May 22nd in a ceremony in Washington DC. Sifting through more than 250 proposals, the Forest Service focused its attention on those that served underserved and urban youth, developed recreation and conservation education, included solid, broad-based partnerships, and innovative techniques.
More Kids in the Woods is a prime partnership opportunity, creating new connections between schools and universities, a broad array of nonprofit organizations, state and local governments, and the Forest Service. The long list of partners includes the Gates Foundation, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, New York Botanical Garden, the National Hispanic Environmental Council, and Stephen F. Austin University. Forest Service Partnership Coordinator Jacqueline Emanuel noted, “Partners provide matching funds, but of course, they always do so much more than that. If we can find a way to make this a sustainable program, it will no doubt improve collaboration.”
Recent studies document that children are gravitating away from outdoor experiences and towards a virtual indoor reality. This disconnect from nature has serious long-term implications for the cognitive, physical, social and emotional well-being of children. It has serious implications for public land stewardship as well; as this disconnect from nature may lead to a lack of conservation and public resource professionals in the future.
“This opportunity is important to us for a lot of reasons,” said Gail Kimbell, Chief of the Forest Service. “We can help address troubling declines we see in the mental and physical health of our children. At the same time, we can inspire future conservation leaders, who can perpetuate the critical role forests play in the quality of life for Americans.”
Funded projects include overnight wilderness experiences, outdoor science programs, watershed protection and trail maintenance, and school field trips. Most projects target urban and underserved youth. For more information and a complete list of projects, go to http://www.fs.fed.us/.
SCA alumni and current SCA interns meet with Richard Louv at the announcement of More Kids in the Woods program awards.
PARTNERING WITH THE FOREST SERVICE
