You probably wouldn’t be surprised to learn that studies indicate that children are spending half as much time outside as they did 20 years ago. Child advocacy expert Richard Louv directly links the lack of nature in the lives of today's wired generation—he calls it nature-deficit—to some of our most disturbing childhood trends, such as the rises in obesity, attention disorders, and depression. Louv, author of one of the classic books on fathering, Fatherlove: What We Need, What We Seek, What We Must Create (1993), has stimulated an international conversation about the future relationship between children and nature, and has helped spawn a movement that is now moving into the international sphere.

His book, Last Child in the Woods was the first book to bring together a new and growing body of research indicating that direct exposure to nature is essential for healthy childhood development and for the physical and emotional health of children and adults. The newest edition of the book includes: 100 actions you can take to create change in your community, school, and family and 35 discussion points to inspire people of all ages to talk about the importance of nature in their lives.

Ann Zander, CSU Family and Consumer Science Extension Agent in Boulder County, has highlighted some of Louv’s points in her August 2009 Family Matters newsletter article; Benefits of children playing in nature.

I’m proud to say we take the importance of the outdoors seriously here in Colorado! On June 15, Lt. Gov. Barbara O’Brien released the Colorado Kids’ Outdoor Bill of Rights; ten activities Colorado kids told her they believe everyone in the state should have an opportunity to experience before they grow up.

Before they grow up ALL Colorado kids should have the opportunity to:

1. Camp out under the stars. 
2. Follow a trail, ride it or walk it, and be respectful of everyone’s right to use the trail.
3. Play in a creek or river: fish, wade, paddle, or skip a stone.
4. Experience the wonders of Colorado’s four seasons: wildflowers, abundant sunshine, the changing aspen leaves, and fresh powder snow.
5. Visit a working farm or ranch.
6. Enjoy the view from the top of a mountain. 
7. Identify Colorado’s official state wildlife and plants in their natural habitat.
8. Explore one of the dozens of local, state, and national parks in Colorado.
9. Play in the dirt and learn about the world from the ground up.
10. Plant a seed for other Colorado kids to enjoy in the future.

I would love to hear what you would include (whether you live in Colorado or not). Include your ideas in the comments section of this blog.

The Lt. Governor will be traveling around the state throughout the summer to convene community forums in various regions of Colorado. Building on the success of past events and planning processes related to kids and the outdoors, these forums will focus on moving forward into action. Participants, representing all sectors vested in the issue, will help form recommendations to move the initiative forward to result in measurable, permanent change. Replicable programs, barriers, potential resources, current initiatives, and local, regional, and statewide collaborations will also be discussed. Follow this link to find the place and time of a forum near you.

Until then . . . round up your kids and take ‘em outside!