By Jim Labbe, Urban Conservationist

Last Child in the Woods: Saving Children from Nature Deficit Disorder by Richard Louv challenges us to take seriously children’s loss of daily connections to the natural world. Louv’s book draws attention to a growing body of contemporary research indicating
what many of us know intuitively: a child’s experience with nature matters immensely to his or her health, development, sense of place, and overall well-being.

Numerous studies have found that exposure to natural environments enhances children’s cognitive development
by improving their awareness, attention, reasoning, and observational skills. The influence of natural settings on stress reduction is particularly acute in children, especially those growing up in socially or environmentally stressful settings. One study found a strong relationship between
near-home nature and self-discipline in inner city children, particularly among girls. In the coming decades, we may well find that the adequate access to nature is among the basic necessities for people to effectively learn, grow, and thrive in an equal opportunity society.

In addition, we at Audubon Society of Portland know that environmental stewardship of future generations will depend immensely on the depth of connections that children make with nature today. As author Robert Michael
Pyle has eloquently queried,

“What is the extinction of the condor to a child who has never known a wren?”

Sustaining our unique sense of place and stewardship in our region can only result from widely shared, daily experiences with nature in the places where we all live, work, and play.

Recent research by the Coalition for a Livable Future found that only about half (50.2%) of the people in the Portland Metro region live within 1⁄4 mile of a natural area. About the same amount (51.8%) live within 1⁄4 mile walking distance to a park. Kids need to be able to easily access the natural world in order to explore and discover its wonders.

You can increase access to nature in our community by supporting Portland Audubon’s children’s education programs. These include half-day trips that introduce local schoolchildren to urban wetlands, forests, and natural areas. Donations to need-based scholarships will increase the ability of low-income or minority children to
participate in these programs.

To enroll your child in one of our programs, call Sarah at 971-222-6120.

You can increase access to nature in our community by supporting Portland Audubon's conservation and children's education programs. In advocating for smart and equitable parks and greenspaces planning, Audubon's Conservation program is actively working to increase the number of people in the Portland-Metro region that can live within 1/4 mile of a park or natural area. Our children's education programs include half-day trips that introduce local school children to urban wetlands, forests, and natural areas. Donations to need-based scholarships will increase the ability of low-income or minority children to participate in these programs.