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Blog Entries - connection to nature

Two boys stand with fishing gear and smile big at the camera
Photo courtesy of The Humble Hustle

New Cohort of Outdoor Grantees Invites Youth Outside

Across all of our grant programs, NRF is ultimately working towards a world in which all kids can spend time outside in ways they enjoy and feel prepared to contribute meaningfully to a better future for themselves,

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Manny Almonte Awarded NRF’s 2023 Crawford Prize

"We all belong outdoors. We all want to be seen. We all want to be heard. We all want to be understood. When we create spaces for that to happen and we use nature to activate all of our senses and to remove the focus

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Youth and elders work together in a garden
Photo courtesy of Khmer Community of Seattle King County

Khmer Community of Seattle King County Promotes a Connection to Place Through Nature

There are all kinds of reasons to spend time outside. We can see beautiful things, participate in sports and hobbies that we love, learn about science, appreciate nature writing and art, and engage with people we care

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A young child stands on the beach staring at the camera.

Overcoming Bias in our Understanding of Nature and Mental Health

There’s a lot of research supporting the idea that time in nature has a positive effect on our mental health. Exposure to greenspace decreases stress, boosts mood, and helps our bodies’ systems reset and rejuvenate.

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teenage girl sits in grass surrounded by trees

Intertwined Outcomes: Connection to Nature, Mental Health, and Outdoor Activity

It’s no secret that the pandemic is having adverse effects on youth, especially adolescents. Youth benefit from stable routines, and the habits they develop as young people as part of those routines are likely to

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three young kids on a playground

Nature Can Boost Positive Youth Development

Positive youth development (PYD) is a key aspect of many youth recreation programs. While PYD sounds like industry jargon, it is simply an approach to engaging with young people that works towards positive life outcomes

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