Creating Environments forChildren’s Learning and Health inSoutheast Michigan: Creating Environments for Children’s Learning and Health in Southeast Michigan Forum Series, Session Four January 16, 2003 Facilitated by Jack Chin and Geri Unger Blueprint Research & Design, Inc.


is about…: is about… Children Families Environment Community


Focus on Children: Focus on Children Helping them be healthy, learn and succeed while having fun and enjoying the out-of-doors


Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board:Youth Environmental Programs: Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board: Youth Environmental Programs http://www.minneapolisparks.org/default.asp?PageID=622


Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board:Youth Environmental Programs: Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board: Youth Environmental Programs Sample programs: Earth Wind and Fire Glaciers, Bogs, & Polliwogs Nature Art Snowshoeing Urban Explorers Camp


District of Columbia Dept of Recreation and Parks:Wonderful Outdoor World: District of Columbia Dept of Recreation and Parks: Wonderful Outdoor World Partners: D.C. Environmental Health Administration Maryland Dept of Natural Resources U.S. Dept of Interior U.S. Dept of Agriculture Greater Washington Urban League Student Conservation Association The Walt Disney Company The Coleman Company http://dchealth.dc.gov/services/administration_offices/environmental/watershed/1


District of Columbia Dept of Recreation and Parks:Wonderful Outdoor World: District of Columbia Dept of Recreation and Parks: Wonderful Outdoor World Program goals: Develop campers’ outdoor recreation skills so they can enjoy, respect and understand the outdoors and their community Increase campers’ desire to explore their environment, both natural and human built Increase campers’ self-reliance by building their confidence in being outdoors Enhance community and life skills


Children’s Discovery Museum of San Jose:BioSITE ACE: Children’s Discovery Museum of San Jose: BioSITE ACE At BioSITE I have a lot of fun learning about things, but not in, like, a boring way, like sitting down listening to the teacher . . . It's better learning like that, by looking at it in front of you, seeing it, touching it, and hearing it. -4th grade BioSITE student http://www.cdm.org/biosite/about.htm


Children’s Discovery Museum of San Jose:BioSITE ACE: Children’s Discovery Museum of San Jose: BioSITE ACE Program components: Teacher professional development Teachers bring their classes to after-school riverside study sessions Small teaching groups facilitated by high school student science mentors Students become real field-study researchers Water quality testing Hands-on science activities


Focus on Families: Focus on Families Involving parents and other adults in nurturing good living and learning habits in children during the formative years of 6-12


Crissy Field Center:Family and Youth Programs: Crissy Field Center: Family and Youth Programs “It’s no easy or small task to take initiative and action. If we are educated and we work together, then we can make a difference”. -Yvea Eaton, I-YEL participant http://www.crissyfield.org/html/cfc-prog/index.html


Crissy Field Center:Family and Youth Programs: Crissy Field Center: Family and Youth Programs Sample programs: Marine Life Mobiles Tule Boats and Cattail Ropes Like Water for Chocolate Canoeing Trip to Arrowhead Marsh I-YEL (Inspiring Young Emerging Leaders)


Los Angeles Audubon:Debs Park Family Programs: Los Angeles Audubon: Debs Park Family Programs “You're in nature all the time, and nature is here — in the city, in your backyard.”


Los Angeles Audubon:Debs Park Family Programs: Los Angeles Audubon: Debs Park Family Programs Program approach: Interviews and focus groups found that people see nature as “somewhere else” Education programs emphasize local nature and target families Safe, stable, interesting and personally meaningful experiences Bugs Night Out Wildflower Family Fiesta


Nature Net:Nature Passport: Nature Net: Nature Passport http://www.naturenet.com/naturepassport.html


Nature Net:Nature Passport: Nature Net: Nature Passport Program features: Outdoor self-guided family program Families can explore up to 16 environmental education sites Nature Passport journal for kids Parents Guide


Focus on Environment: Focus on Environment Using parks, public spaces and greenways to enrich children's lives while teaching an appreciation for and rebuilding the natural environment


Green Schoolyards: Green Schoolyards Boston Chicago Denver Philadelphia San Francisco


Green Schoolyards: Green Schoolyards Benefits: Improved outdoor recreation Enhanced learning environment Environmental conservation and stewardship Community-building venues


NPCA & SCA:Junior Rangers: NPCA & SCA: Junior Rangers http://www.npca.org/cultural_diversity/junior_rangers/default.asp


NPCA & SCA:Junior Rangers: NPCA & SCA: Junior Rangers Program components: Environmental education Community events Service projects Policy advocacy Career exploration


Seattle Metro YMCA:Earth Service Corps: Seattle Metro YMCA: Earth Service Corps http://www.seattleymca.org/


Seattle Metro YMCA:Earth Service Corps: Seattle Metro YMCA: Earth Service Corps Evaluation findings: Strengthened leadership skills Increased commitment of future volunteerism Provided tools for healthy, competent and caring lives


Brooklyn Center for the Urban Environment: Neighborhood Environmental Programs: Brooklyn Center for the Urban Environment: Neighborhood Environmental Programs http://www.bcue.org/neighborhood.htm


Brooklyn Center for the Urban Environment: Neighborhood Environmental Programs: Brooklyn Center for the Urban Environment: Neighborhood Environmental Programs Program features: Science-based and community-oriented solutions to environmental problems Long-term community-specific outreach and service to young people non-school, field-study-based-programs action projects Development of young environmental leaders Improvement of physical environment in selected neighborhood


Focus on Community: Focus on Community Engaging institutions to create opportunities beyond school hours to benefit young people and strengthen their families and communities


The Bay Institute & The Center for Ecoliteracy:STRAW (Students and Teachers Restoring a Watershed): The Bay Institute & The Center for Ecoliteracy: STRAW (Students and Teachers Restoring a Watershed) STRAW did many things we did not know it would do. It touched many people we did not know it would touch…The learning continues to expand past all our imagined lesson plans. Laurette Rogers, STRAW director http://www.bay.org/educate/straw.html


The Bay Institute & The Center for Ecoliteracy:STRAW (Students and Teachers Restoring a Watershed): The Bay Institute & The Center for Ecoliteracy: STRAW (Students and Teachers Restoring a Watershed) In 2000-2001 school year, over 2,000 K-12 students (and 100 teachers): Planted 2,500 native plants at 29 sites Completed erosion control projects Removed tons of invasive non-native plants Restored riparian habitat on urban and ranch sites - songbirds and other native species have returned


Faith in Place:From the Ground Up: Faith in Place: From the Ground Up “The Lord upholds all who are falling, and raises up all who are bowed down. The eyes of all look to you, And you give them their food in due season. You open your hand, Satisfying the desire of every living thing.” — Psalm 145:14-16 http://www.faithinplace.org/humboldtpark


Faith in Place:From the Ground Up: Faith in Place: From the Ground Up Activities include: Worm composting Fish farming Organic vegetable gardens Field trips to farms


West Philadelphia Partnership:Urban Nutrition Initiative: West Philadelphia Partnership: Urban Nutrition Initiative http://dolphin.upenn.edu/%7Euni/green_029.htm


West Philadelphia Partnership:Urban Nutrition Initiative: West Philadelphia Partnership: Urban Nutrition Initiative Activities include: After school fruit and vegetable stands Farmers' market open on weekends; winter buying club in the off season School gardens Free Community Fitness program for parents and community members Urban agriculture and microbusiness development


Common Ground, Common Themes: Common Ground, Common Themes Make use of local out-of-doors sites Engage partner organizations Involve local community members in planning and design of programs Emphasize hands-on activities Promote cross-generational learning Sustain activity over time