Cities Connecting Children to Nature initiative adds 15 new cities to program

Researchers have correlated access to nature with positive impacts like lower stress and anxiety, leading to higher academic achievement, increased emotional learning, stronger social connections, better self esteem, and a greater sense of environmental stewardship. But in today’s built environment, where concrete and brick dominate landscapes, nature is often a car drive or train ride away—and that’s out of reach for many children and young people.

An ongoing partnership between the Children & Nature Network and the National League of Cities, called Cities Connecting Children to Nature is breaking down that barrier by bringing nature to children, regardless of where they live.

“We know that the first five years of life are crucial for children’s healthy development. Connecting young children to nature during zero to five has many long-term benefits, such as improving physical and mental health, promoting connectedness with nature, and preparing children for school,” said Andrew Moore, director of youth and young adult connections at the cities league. On Friday, the initiative announced that 15 new cities that will “join a national peer network of 32 other cities working to increase access to nature for all children, regardless of race, income or ability,” according to a statement from the collaborative.

The first cohort of seven cities was launched in 2016, followed by a second group of cities in 2018 and a third last year. To engage children with the outdoors, the program encourages mayors to “harness mayoral leadership to set a policy platform and align city agencies around goals,” a previous report explaining the collaborative’s goals says.

When the initiative launched in Austin, Tx., one of the first participating pilot cities, this meant adding natural elements like logs, stumps and boulders to play spaces in public parks. It also meant including outdoor learning opportunities to early childcare centers and making nature-based programs accessible for preschoolers. The goals extend beyond simple interaction.

“We want to connect youth to nature in their own neighborhoods as well as give them the skills to reach the mountain tops.” said Mayor Aaron Brockett, of Boulder, Colo., one of the new participating cities. “We envision a successful early childhood nature connection initiative for Boulder that may also serve as a model for others.”

The other cities included in this latest cohort are Imperial Beach, Calif.; Batesville, Ark.; Boise, Id.; Detroit, Mich.; Doral, Fla.; Fort Worth, Tx.; Houston, Tx.; New Orleans, La.; New York, N.Y.; Prescott, Ariz.; St. Louis, Mo.; Tallahassee, Fla.; Tucson, Ariz.; and White Salmon, Wash.

Looking ahead, the Cities Connecting Children to Nature collaboration will provide technical assistance for cross-departmental teams and community-based organizations, helping them create programs, establish partnerships, draft policies and build infrastructure to “help young children, regardless of race, income or ability, learn, play and grow with nature as a key part of their daily lives,” the statement continues.

Participating cities regularly engage in peer learning opportunities and receive specialized assistance to help them meet their specific goals.

“The COVID pandemic showed how critical easily accessible, daily access to green space is for families and young children to thrive,” said Monica Lopez Magee, senior vice president of cities and community engagement at the Children & Nature Network. “These 15 cities join a growing network of cities across the country that understand the value of nature and green space for all children. It’s an opportunity to tap into progress achieved by other cities and learn how the lessons can apply to them, so they too can expand equitable access to nature for young children in their city.”

For more information about the Cities Connecting Children to Nature project, or to learn about selected cities’ goals, contact [email protected].