All Around the World Now

My poster announces the first global forum on reconnecting children and nature. It will assemble a diversity of experts ranging in fields from politics to healthcare to the environment. The image of the child and the toad is iconic to anyone familiar with Richard Louv as it is a stylized version of his book's front cover.

Common roots

I went with this one as my logo 'cause I suppose it felt more graphic than "Reach." The other one was too close to the Illustrator-provided symbol, so I chose this one. I really like spring green and browns. Also, I guess, the hand doesn't overpower the shoots, but rather visa versa, has more of a feeling of hope rather than depth.

Reach

I like the earthy feel the hand took on in this one; it has a sense of immensity and power. For whatever reason, the two-tone browns are more visually gripping than the first two I posted; this whole idea of a hand as roots evolved into the next design variation.

Shared Seed

I suppose this one superimposes the outlines of hands to be the veins of the leaf; in an abstract sense they have the same form. The "seed" I suppose was added to provide a bit of a focal point.

Similar Vein

All the logos have a common theme; similar attributes found throughout nature, including that of ourselves. Similar vein (s) looks to me like a leaf-shaped x-ray of someone palm, seeing the nerves or veins within the hand also as a part of the leaf.

Circuitbrain

The concept started with the idea of a circuitboard somehow assuming the role of a human brain in dictating action. Somehow this morphed into the idea that our increasing interdependency with technology creates increasing isolation, from each other, from ourselves, from the planet itself.

Your Backyard and Beyond

I suppose I followed what I perceived to be the next step in a natural progression: the graduation of something that builds and builds locally, then regionally, then nationally, and finally, as featured here, internationally. As with all issues impacting our environment, the movement to connect children in industrialized or rapidly industrializing countries back to nature is one that is not experienced here in an American vacuum. Indeed, children globally experience similar ramifications of an increasing pressure to stay ahead in a technologically-oriented world. My event will feature speakers and panelists from different countries from each continent in an effort to share ideas, experiences, recommendations and strategies on how to turn this tide of technological isolation in our youth.

Which Way?

I think we are at a critically important junction right now in the history of our evolution - it seems a tipping point is within sight of the rapidly accumulating effects of industrialization and the ever-increasing presence of technology in our lives. Certainly the effects of technology on children - from increased linkages to depression, obesity and ADHD to the obvious disconnection from nature - is not a new phenomenom. However, like Rachel Carson and "Silent Spring," Richard Louv's book has managed to achieve one fundamental accomplishment - putting into voice what has been present but invisible to people. I guess this image represents that junction and the important role the next generation will have in determining the state of the environmental movement.

(Images: digitalrepository.fws.gov/cgi-bin/showfile.ex...Hillebrand, Steve...6/2006
www.orianit.edu-negev.gov.il/carmella/sites/h...418 x 480 - 35k worth1000.com)

Is this thing on?

I was recently speaking with a visitor about her family's trip to Alaska. A young mother of two, she had a strong connection to nature and a desire to pass it along to her children. She was describing their visiting a magnificent waterfall that could only be described as breathtaking - the intricate rock layers, the power of the water, the sensation of all the spray, all of it. Absolutely certain her children must be feeling this sense of awe, she asked the six year old, "Honey, what do you think?"

"It's pretty cool," he said, "But where are all the toys?"

Not Fade Away?

As a human being, as an animal for that matter, I find it rather shocking that there is even a discussion or concern that we as a species are feared to be slowly disconnecting from the natural processes that not only bring us joy and inspiration, but enable our very existence! This image, with its soft tones and gentle feel, could seem a mild suggestion of disconnection, but I will opt for the optimist interpretation and say it is one of re-connection. We have, if nothing else, the ability to learn from our mistakes and correct them. (http://www.h2ologics.com/My%20Webs/library.htm)

Same theme, different approach

A senate bill introduced by Senator Alex Padilla in Californis, Outdoor Education and Recreation Program, aims to increase the ability of underserved and at-risk populations to participate in outdoor education program. This initiative, to be administered by the the Director of Parks and Recreation and sponsored by the Sierra Club and the American Diabetes Association demonstrates another effort that enlists players from not only different sectors but also different areas of focus. This transect of environmental and health organizations marks a new alliance created by the No Child Left Inside Movement.

The Governator Steps IN

Arnold steps to the front line to prove he is more than muscle and an embarrassing accent:) Ok, ok... here is an example of a initiative on a state level. On July 6th, Arnold signed into effect the California Children's Outdoor Bill of Rights which includes ten easy, fun things that every child between the ages of 4 and fourteen should have the opportunity to do.

This was conceived by an ad hoc group of public and private organizations from federal, state and local levels, as part of this growing effort.

Children & Nature Network

The Children & Nature Network was created to offer an online resource to individuals, parents, educators, politicians, researchers, etc. who are working on behalf of reconnecting kids and nature. It provides a vast pool of research articles, local, regional & national initiatives and movement updates as well as a forum for presenting reports and case studies on children's health and nature. and program development

National Forum on Kids and Nature

The Conservation Fund, a national environmental non-profit, in partnership with Richard Louv, author of "Last Child in the Woods" is assembling top reps from public and private sectors in order to strategize on how to reconnect children to nature on a local, regional and national level.

“Healing the broken bond between our young and nature is in our self-interest--not only because aesthetics or justice demands it, but also because our mental, physical, and spiritual health depend upon it,” said Louv. “And so does the health of the earth. For decades, environmental educators, conservationists, and others have worked, often heroically, to bring more children to nature. Now a grass-roots movement to leave no child inside is emerging, bringing people from across political, cultural and religious divides. By bringing executive-level business and government figures to that table, the National Forum on Children and Nature will create a new level of commitment and action. This could be the tipping point.”

Last Child in the Woods

In 2006, Richard Louv, a researcher on children's health writes a book that can be compared to Rachel Carson's "Silent Spring," written in the early sixties. Her book alerted the public to the dangers of pesticides, mainly DDT, eventually leading to its ban in 1972. "Last Child in the Woods" has alerted public to an environmental, social dilemma that is relevant to our times: the increasing schism between our youth and meaningful contact with the outdoors. This book sure has hit a nerve... the response has been unbelievable

Nature Deficit Disorder

Definition: Directly links the lack of nature in the lives of today’s wired generation to some of the most disturbing childhood trends, such as the rises in obesity, attention disorders, and depression.

My topic of interest

"No Child Left Inside" is part of a growing international movement that directly guides my organization's mission. I am interested in comparing how the US stacks up to other countries in both our lack of nature time for our kids and our efforts to do something about it.

It wasn't until I started working in the field of environmental education that I was exposed to lots of information citing all the negative effects of not enough time outdoors for kids and how this is on a rapid increase with the increased emphasis on technology. However, since everything is focused on "green" living nowadays, re-connecting kids with nature is coming to the forefront of policymakers, parents, teachers, etc.