Skip to main content
  • Home
  • About
  • Faculty Experts
  • For The Media
  • Videos
  • Topics
    • Alumni
    • Events
    • Faculty
    • Library
    • Research
    • Students
    • All Topics
  • Contact
  • Submit
  • All News
  • Arts & Culture
  • Business & Economy
  • Campus & Community
  • Health & Society
  • Media, Law & Policy
  • STEM
  • Veterans
  • |
  • Alumni
  • The Peel
  • Athletics
Sections
  • All News
  • Arts & Culture
  • Business & Economy
  • Campus & Community
  • Health & Society
  • Media, Law & Policy
  • STEM
  • Veterans
  • |
  • Alumni
  • The Peel
  • Athletics
  • Home
  • About
  • Faculty Experts
  • For The Media
  • Videos
  • Topics
    • Alumni
    • Events
    • Faculty
    • Library
    • Research
    • Students
    • All Topics
  • Contact
  • Submit

SUNY-ESF’s Northern Forest Institute takes leadership role in helping children get outside and play

Tuesday, April 28, 2009, By News Staff
Share

SUNY-ESF’s Northern Forest Institute takes leadership role in helping children get outside and playApril 28, 2009Claire Dunn

The SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry’s Northern Forest Institute for Conservation Education and Leadership Training (NFI) has taken a lead role in building a statewide effort to reconnect children with nature so they can reap the benefits of experiencing, and learning about, the natural world.

The NFI has helped organize a partnership called “Children in Nature, New York” that is sponsoring a slate of events in the Adirondacks and Capital Region to draw attention to increasing the connection between the state’s children and the natural environment.

Events will take place the first weekend of May in the Adirondacks and Saratoga Springs.

“Playing outdoors does more for children than just let them burn off excess energy,” says Paul Hai, program coordinator at SUNY-ESF’s Adirondack Ecological Center in Newcomb, where the NFI is headquartered. “Researchers are seeing that exposure to nature has a substantive, measurable effect on children’s physical, psychological and mental well-being. It has a real effect on their behavior and study skills and their ability to think creatively.”

Hai is also one of the 10 members of the national Children and Nature Network’s Grassroots Leadership Team.

The roll-out event planned for May 1 and 2 includes a Friday evening program in Saratoga Springs, a daytime festival at The Wild Center in Tupper Lake and a Saturday evening program in Lake Placid.

The following events are scheduled:

  • Friday, May 1: Reception and ice cream social, including attendance from elected public officials and a presentation by author Richard Louv, who wrote the best-selling “Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children from Nature-Deficit Disorder” (Algonquin Books, 2005). Attendance is by invitation only.
  • Saturday, May 2: More than 25 organizations from around the region will gather at The Wild Center in Tupper Lake to offer information and ideas to families looking to reconnect with nature. Family activities will be spread across the 31-acre facility, including, kite building, fly fishing, nature scavenger hunts and identifying trees. Louv will offer a presentation and book signing in the afternoon. The event is free, runs 10 a.m.-3 p.m. and is open to the public.
  • Saturday, May 2: A reception and presentation by Louv will precede a conversation exploring how to create the systemic lines of communication and partnerships between the healthcare, medical, educational and resource management communities that will maximize the effort and magnify the positive impacts of reconnecting children to nature across New York. The event will be 6:30-9 p.m. at the Whiteface Lodge in Lake Placid. Attendance is by invitation only.

“Children in Nature, New York” is a partnership between the NFI, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation; Great Play! Lake Placid Sport Summit; Come Out and Play! Children in Nature, Saratoga; and The Wild Center.

  • Author

News Staff

  • Recent
  • Eight New Recruits Begin Campus Peace Officer Academy
    Thursday, May 19, 2022, By Christine Weber
  • Media Tip Sheet: Consequences of China Lockdown
    Thursday, May 19, 2022, By Vanessa Marquette
  • Dean Rajiv ‘Raj’ Dewan to Step Down as Dean of the School of Information Studies
    Thursday, May 19, 2022, By News Staff
  • 2022 Graduates Reflect on Service as Academic Coaches
    Thursday, May 19, 2022, By Ellen de Graffenreid
  • Funding Expands for Newhouse Professors’ Work on Technology to Combat Fake News
    Wednesday, May 18, 2022, By Wendy S. Loughlin

More In Uncategorized

Syracuse Views Spring 2022

We want to know how you experience Syracuse University. Take a photo and share it with us. We select photos from a variety of sources. Submit photos of your University experience using #SyracuseU on social media, fill out a submission…

“Can Supermarket Design Really Impact What You Buy?”

Shelley Kohan, adjunct faculty member in the Whitman School, was interviewed for the VeryWell Mind story “Can Supermarket Design Really Impact What You Buy?” Kohan, a retail executive with 25 years of experience, explained that many grocery stores are following…

“COVID Truthers Have Found a New ‘Pandemic’ to Freak Out About”

Michael Barkun, professor emeritus of political science in the Maxwell School, was quoted in the Daily Beast story “COVID Truthers Have Found a New ‘Pandemic’ to Freak Out About.” Barkun, who is an expert on extremism and conspiracy theories, explained…

“With Elon Musk’s Twitter bid, there’s more at stake than freedom of speech: ‘It gives him a lot more influence over government'”

JM Grygiel, associate professor of communications in the Newhouse School, was quoted in the MarketWatch article “With Elon Musk’s Twitter bid, there’s more at stake than freedom of speech: ‘It gives him a lot more influence over government.’” Grygiel, who…

Koppl writes “Biden Establishes a Ministry of Truth”

Roger Koppl, professor of finance in the Whitman School, co-authored The Wall Street Journal opinion piece “Biden Establishes a Ministry of Truth.” The Department of Homeland Security recently announced the formation of the Disinformation Governance Board. The goal of the…

Subscribe to SU Today

If you need help with your subscription, contact sunews@syr.edu.

Connect With Us

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Youtube
  • LinkedIn
Social Media Directory

For the Media

Find an Expert Follow @SyracuseUNews
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Youtube
  • LinkedIn
  • @SyracuseU
  • @SyracuseUNews
  • @SUCampus
  • Social Media Directory
  • Accessibility
  • Privacy
  • Campus Status
  • Syracuse.edu
© 2022 Syracuse University News. All Rights Reserved.