In Austin, TX, children experience nature’s benefits through play in nearby parks, at libraries and in their neighborhood schools. In Flagstaff, AZ, the city addressed flooding and climate resiliency issues by implementing green schoolyards as a nature-based solution. In San Francisco, CA, a collaborative of more than 30 community organizations work together to achieve a shared vision of “nature for every child, every day,” especially in early childhood centers and nature play areas in parks.
These represent a handful of examples of the outcomes when partners come together to create and execute a shared vision of equitable access to nature in a community. More than 70 communities across the U.S. are working towards a common goal: to bring access to nature everywhere children live, learn and play. Through this national network of Nature Everywhere Communities, a partnership with Children & Nature Network and Kaboom!, these 70 communities share, discuss and learn how best to execute nature-based solutions for improving children’s healthy development.
And now, NLC invites your city to receive recognition for similar steps you take, through the Nature Everywhere Communities Action Challenge!
As Nature Everywhere Action Challenge Communities, cities will have access to tools, resources, and a national peer learning network of similar communities with which to share successful strategies for connecting children to the benefits of nature. The Action Challenge is a self-paced approach that allows community teams drawn from multiple sectors to take actions that connect all children to the outdoors. Taking more actions leads to increased opportunities for recognition.
Nature Everywhere Communities builds on what NLC and its partners at the Children & Nature Network and KABOOM! have learned from the Cities Connecting Children to Nature initiative, through which municipal leaders have been advancing equitable access to nature since 2014. Nature Everywhere Communities represents an expansion of this effort that continues to focus on driving systems-level change.
The first step prior to registering for the Action Challenge involves forming a cross-sector team of at least three members. The team should include a representative from different fields, such as a city department, a school district, a local nonprofit or a community-based organization. Prospective team members may watch a recording of the information session to gain an overview and understanding of what the Action Challenge entails. Then, register for the Action Challenge and start documenting the actions your team takes.
As soon as a team registers, all members gain access to:
- A national Peer Learning Network of communities working to advance equitable access to nature.
- Tools, resources, webinars and private groups in The Trailhead, an online networking community for nature connection leaders.
- Promotional and awareness-building materials for gaining local and national recognition as an Action Challenge Community, including an Action Challenge badge, a template press release and other tools.
By registering, teams pledge to complete actions that lead a community towards progress in achieving greater equity and access to nature for children. Tools available online support each action. The recommended actions focus on building local coalitions to support and sustain efforts, and to achieve early wins and build a strong foundation for continued impact.
Examples of actions we encourage include:
- Conduct a scan of relevant policies, stakeholders, programs and experiences
- Convene stakeholders to obtain input toward developing a vision for equitable nature connection.
- Add nature play features in a park, schoolyard, or early childhood center..
- Expand a summer or after-school nature connection program so as to ensure children of color or those experiencing poverty have access.
Experience building since 2014 shows what becomes possible when partners join forces to achieve a shared vision that ensures all children, regardless of race or zip code, have access to the benefits of nature. NLC and its partners welcome and encourage more cities to register for the Action Challenge and see what is possible when your team takes action in your community.
Take the Nature Everywhere Community Action Challenge
Join the national peer network of community leaders working towards equitable nature access by taking the Nature Everywhere Community Action Challenge.
Nature Everywhere Communities builds on what we’ve learned from the Cities Connecting Children to Nature initiative, through which municipal leaders have been advancing equitable access to nature since 2014. Nature Everywhere Communities is an expansion of this work, recognizing that we need leaders from city government, education, nonprofits, philanthropy, community organizations and the private sector to drive systems-level change.
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