Urban Nature Week

The Children's Nature Institue is gearing up for the third annual Urban Nature Week to be held October 16-23, 2011. 

Urban Nature Week began as a local campaign to engage inner-city communities (usually but not exclusively lower income) to connect with natural spaces - nature as close as their own backyard, schoolyard and neighborhood, while providing increased access to beaches and wilderness areas. We take a "magnifying glass" approach and open up a world of wonder to children and families, particularly those living in poor neighborhoods, inspiring them to connect with nature and ultimately, helping them develop a love and care for the earth. 

This year, Urban Nature Week will galvanize local and national environmental organizations, schools, and community groups to join us in an exciting online campaign to raise awareness about:

1. Discovering the wonders of nature in an urban environment, and
2. Getting urban communities into wilderness settings.

Here's an overview of Urban Nature Week:

October 16-- What are you doing for Urban Nature Week? Visit CNI online and share your ideas in our Seedbank!

October 17-- Forum on Cultural Relevancy in Outdoor Education co-presented by the Foundation for Youth Investment

October 18-- Press event: Ribbon Cutting of new 'Touch Tank' donated by the Natural History Museum

October 19-- Urban Nature Walk at Ballona Wetlands

October 20-- Creature Features book event (books donated by the Ella Fitzgerald Foundation) and community garden re-planting at Magnolia Family Place Center

October 21-- Local Urban Nature Walk followed by 6:30pm screening of "Play Again"http://playagainfilm.com/film-synopsis/

October 22 & 23-- Explore urban nature in yourneighborhood! Then visit CNI online and share what you discovered!