butterflyNEWS

Nature Conservancy Summer Job Opportunity
The Nature Conservancy’s Leaders in Environmental Action for the Future (LEAF) Program is currently recruiting summer Mentors to work with urban high school interns this summer.  The Mentor position is a GREAT residential paid summer job opportunity for a teacher or other youth development professional with a passion for the outdoors and positive youth development. The position runs from late June to early August and consists of living, working, and recreating on one or more nature preserves located in 25 states across the country.  To apply, click here.

Outdoor Nation Announces Summits
If you love the outdoors and are between the ages of 16-28, check out the Outdoor Nation Summits.  Each two-day Summit brings together young leaders to identify important outdoor issues, brainstorm strategies to overcome barriers of participation and commit to taking action together.  You’ll receive training from top experts, on topics like community organizing, media relations and fundraising.  Best of all, @Outdoor Nation will fund the top ideas—investing up to $100,000 in your on-the-ground projects.  You’ll get to meet new friends and camp under the stars…did we mention it’s free?
This locations of this year’s Signature Summits are:

The Merrell Pack Project
Outdoor Nation and Merrell are proud to announce the launch of the 2013 The Pack Project Grants Program – working to increase participation in active outdoor recreation while also creating meaningful connections to the natural world.  In 2013, Merrell will be awarding $25,000 to a minimum of 10 projects through their ambassador program called The Pack.  Grants will be awarded to the most innovative, impactful and sustainable projects focusing on increasing outdoor recreation in communities across the country while also creating significant relationships with the environment. Applications are being accepted from individuals between the ages of 18 and 28 and 501c3 non-profits. Proposals must be submitted to Outdoor Nation by June 1, 2013.

May is International Schoolgrounds Month
In May 2013 the International School Grounds Alliance is calling on schools around the globe to take their pupils outside and celebrate their grounds. It’s as simple as that. They  believe school grounds are important to children and if you agree,  take some time- an hour, a day, even a week or several different times during the month - to go outside into your grounds with your students.  To read more, click here.

AMC Launches Kids Outdoors Online Community
Need some ideas on great outdoor trips on which you can take your kids? Look no further than the Appalachian Mountain Club’s Kids Outdoors community, a free online resource full of destinations and expert tips for parents.  Once you join the community you can read about and discuss the best local places for you to take your kids on outdoor adventures. You can also search the website by zipcode for great local outing destinations, and read about fun upcoming events.

May 18 is National Kids to Parks Day
For the third consecutive year, the National Park Trust and partner organizations are coming together to celebrate the great outdoors and support the First Lady's Let's Move Outside! Join in the fun as over 300 cities, towns and parks host free, outdoor events for kids and families.  This year, six governors (from Arkansas, Colorado, Missouri, Mississippi, Texas and Vermont) have issued state proclamations to commemorate National Kids to Parks Day.  More than 108,000 people participated in local events in 2012, and nearly 95,000 have already registered for 2013. For a full list of events, click here.

America's Children and the Environment  
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released their third edition of a report about key environmental factors that can affect children's health January 2013.  The report shows the status and trends of environments and contaminants, biomonitoring, and health. You can down load the report or explore the report on line.

A Special Report on Youth
In this Special Report on Youth, The Outdoor Foundation examines youth participation in outdoor recreation — profiling the extent and quality of participation among ages 6 to 24. With the vital new information detailed within, it seeks to provide youth organizations, public agencies, businesses and non-profits with insights needed to get youth outside.

Based on the largest national survey of American participation in outdoor recreation, the report dives deep into youth participation in outdoor activities — from detailing the demographics of youth outdoor participation to examining the motivations of participants and non-participants.

Children and Nature Worldwide Research
Children and Nature Worldwide: An Exploration of Children’s Experiences of the Outdoors and Nature with Associated Risks and Benefits is a joint publication of the Children & Nature Network and the IUCN’s Commission on Education and Communication. The document includes a sample of studies conducted over several decades regarding the importance of children’s and youth’s connections with nature.

Healthy Kids Outdoors Act in Congress
Guest Post by Rep. Ron Kind (D-WI): Why the Healthy Kids Outdoors Act is Important: the article provides a good overview of the Act, why it is important and provides links to more information.

America’s Great Outdoors
As part of the response to the national meetings and responses that the U.S. Department of the Interior heard from their listening sessions, there is a commitment to assist youth in developing conservation careers and developing the next generation of stewards. Want to learn more about what youth had to say? Click here. Want to learn more or post ideas? Click here. Another resource that has been developed is a website to assist youth. Through projects that are aimed at getting youth outdoors to assistance with their careers, the information on the YouthGO.gov are aimed to help get youth back outside and help create pathways to careers in conservation.

Outdoor Effort Gets State Backing
Kentucky kids can now claim their right to be outside after a state resolution was passed that makes it a public policy goal to encourage kids to get outdoors.

The Youngest Master Planners
Armed with cameras, children in the City of Everett, Washington participate in a park master planning process. This story was featured in the July 2012 issue of the National Recreation & Park Association. Download the full article here.

Green Yards
The Trust for Public Land has developed a model to create green, healthy play spaces in urban areas. They engage youth in the planning process. Check out an example of how it played out in Philadelphia when National Park Service RTCA fellow Sophie Sarkar got involved. Learn more about the process and results on the Trust for Public Land blog.

Integrating Art and Stewardship to inspire youth
Artwork can be used to inspire people. The Navigating Change Program for the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument works with students to educate them about an amazing natural treasure northwest of the main Hawaiian Islands. Because it is a protected, remote area, few people have the opportunity to visit the islands.  Visual art and storytelling are ways for students to get a better understanding of the resources and cultural significance of the islands. It also inspires youth to protect and care for their lands and demonstrates the connection between the islands.  Ready to get inspired? Check out what a National Park Service RTCA fellow Marie Ayabe, Rena Ekmanis, artist in residence with the YMCA Camp Erdman, and staff at NOAA’s Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument created!