Fishing Moms?

We know about soccer moms, but what about fishing moms? A group of mothers in Ventura County California, decided it was time to take their sons and daugthers fishing in nearby Lake Casitas. In an activity traditionally assigned to men, more and more mothers are getting involved. Nearly one fourth of today's kids are being raised by single moms and, hopefully, more of them will be paying attention to the growing problem of nature deficit in their children. Read More!

New Legislative Proposal to Fight Nature Deficit in California

California SB 1649 is a new legislative proposal by Senator Richard Alarcon to permanently establish and fund a statewide outdoor education program to be funded through the license plate fund. It was sparked by efforts of the Sierra Club and others in the State to show how important it is for students, particularly those from under-resourced backgrounds, to engage in outdoor learning. Read More!

The Coming Recess Revolution

School systems everywhere have been cutting back on free time for children in order to focus on preparing them for mandatory statewide tests. One of the casualties of this trend has been outdoor recess. Now, the federal government is also responding to the growing obesity epidemic with new reuirements for comprehensive wellness programs. These new programs will focus on improved nutrition in school meals, physical education and reduction of soda sales and other fattening snacks. It is vital, though, that kids have an opportunity to get outside and exercise while at school. Outdoor activity needs to be part of a rounded wellness prgoram including the return of recess. Read More!

Rapidly Advancing Nature Deficit in the Very Young

The non-profit organization, Playing for Keeps, has completed a survey that finds that unstructured outdoor play is down 50% in children ages 2-5 over a generation ago. Importantly, the very young are most affected. More than 80% of children under 2 and 60% of children under 5 no longer have access to outside play.
The average American home with a toddler has the TV on for six hours and the average 2 year old watches TV or plays on a computer 4 hours per day. Read more!