Wednesday, May 4, 2011

Hear Richard Louv Speak on The Nature Principle at the Arboretum May 16th and 17th

Richard Louv will be appearing across the U.S. and Canada this spring in a series of book release events and presentations. These local appearances are open to the public and provide an excellent opportunity to introduce community members and potential partners to the goals and vision of the children and nature movement.

In his bestselling book Last Child in the Woods, Richard Louv helped launch a vital dialog that spawned an international movement to reconnect children and nature. In his new book, The Nature Principle: Human Restoration and the End of Nature-Deficit Disorder, Louv delivers another powerful call to action-this time for adults. He will be speaking about the book in various cities.

What do adults have to do with the children and nature movement? Plenty. While time in nature helps people of all ages vastly improve our physical, psychological and spiritual health, children cannot make the nature connection without the help of the adults in their lives. In addition, Louv suggests, it will take people of all ages, working together, to shift the cultural norms that apply to all of us, to address and restore the fundamental human need for nature that he describes in his book, calling on much current research to underscore his case.

The more high-tech our lives become, Louv writes, the more nature we need. The Nature Principle lays out a scenario that integrates nature into every aspect of our lives, from homes and family life to offices, urban planning and recreational spaces.

You can hear Richard Louv speak about The Nature Principle in the following cities: San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Diego, Portland, Seattle, Minneapolis, Milwaukee, Chicago, Denver, Austin, Vancouver, Toronto and Saskatoon. You'll also be able to join him for live chats on Twitter, dates to be announced.

RICHARD LOUV and THE NATURE PRINCIPLE

May 16 & 17, 2011
Oswald Visitor Center

Richard Louv contends that the future belongs to the individuals, families, businesses and communities that not only conserve nature, but create nature everywhere. On May 16 & 17, Mr. Louv will discuss the "nature principle," sign copies of his new book, The Nature Principle: Human Restoration and the End of Nature-Deficit Disorder (May 2011), and give the keynote address at a public policy conference on how interaction with nature improves the health of humans and the earth.

During this event you will learn that each of us has the power to restore our connection to nature. The impact of this renewed relationship can extend far beyond our own personal sphere of family and home to the workplace, schools, health-care and other community settings. Simply put, nature offers the antidote for many of the maladies of modern life, and by bringing more nature into our lives, the better off we will be.

MONDAY, MAY 16 - 6-9 p.m.
$35 members, $40 non-members

TUESDAY, MAY 17 - 7:30-12 noon
Richard Louv and The Nature Principle: Health, Nature, and the Quality of Life
$50 members, $65 non-members
.35 CEUs available

For more information and to register visit http://www.arboretum.umn.edu/richardlouvandnatureprinciple2011.aspx

EE Festivals abound!

Four elementary schools are busily planning and preparing for upcoming Environmental Festivals. Our district is unique in that we showcase our outdoor classroom spaces on special experiential days where all students and staff are conducting and participating in lessons outdoors. 

Jeffers Pond Elementary is having their festival on May 5
Glendale Elementary is having their festival on May 17  (Check out their wiki at http://eefest2011.wikispaces.com/)
Redtail Ridge Elementary is having their festival on May 19
Grainwood Elementary is having their festival on May 26