Richard Louv coined the term “nature deficit disorder” to describe modern society’s lack of connection to nature.

Florence Williams describes the “Nature Fix” in her book of the same title:

Can nature really make us feel better, do better, and be better?

I think so!

And so do many researchers.

Children of all ages need to get outside and explore, play, and test boundaries by climbing trees, creating structures, and going deep into nature. But in the US, this just isn’t happening as much any more. The video below compares and contrasts childhood experiences with nature in the US with this elf children in Europe:

This video uses material from this article “Kids Gone Wild.” The article is totally worth reading and it’s also worth watching the 20 minute video that goes with the article.

A shorter but similar video (which has been taken down) and this article look at a playground in England that is very different than the ones we have here in the US.

In The Atlantic, on March 19, 2014, Hanna Rosin writes about “The Overprotected Kid”arguing that “[a] preoccupation with safety has stripped childhood of independence, risk taking, and discovery—without making it safer. A new kind of playground points to a better solution.” Her arguments are in line and yet with more sophistication develop Richard Louv’s arguments about nature deficit-disorder that he makes in his two books, Last Child in the Woods and The Nature Principle.

Test out the theory by getting out in nature!

Saturday Sept. 15 get involved with a coastal cleanup going on near you! 

Over 60k people are expected to participate in California’s 34th annual Coastal Cleanup Day, on September 15!  Volunteer to remove debris from beaches, creeks, rivers, and lakes all around California to protect wildlife from harm while taking care of our environment.

5 Easy Steps to Volunteer

1. Find a Coastal Cleanup Day site near you –2018 Cleanup Site Map.
(no pre-registration required!)

2. Invite a friend to join you.

3. Print a waiver in advance –Volunteer Waiver.

 4. Bring your own reusable bucket, gloves, and water bottle. Check in with the Site Captain and follow their instructions.

5. Have a great time! Post pictures with #vccoastcleanup2018 to enter the photo contest for cool prizes.

The mission of Ventura Countywide Coalition for Coastal & Inland Waterways is, “Promoting clean & healthy beaches, rivers and creeks throughout Ventura County”.

One of the biggest ocean pollutants is PLASTIC!

How can you cut back on your plastic consumption to keep from contributing to plastic pollution in the oceans?

Here are some innovative ideas to reduce plastic wrap — and I’m sure you already know that using disposable water bottles is a huge waste of money and resources as Annie Leanard shows on the Story of Water.

By the way, this is post number one thousand nine hundred and one: 1901. WOW!

https://vcccd.instructure.com/courses/165/files?preview=1343135