About Children in Nature
"Through the Cities Connecting Children to Nature (CCCN) initiative, local officials across the country strive to create abundant access to nature for the benefit of the children and families in their cities. CCCN works with city leaders to confront pressing child development issues related to increasing indoor lifestyles. These include higher rates of emotional and physical health challenges."
- National League of Cities
This plan helps make sure all kids in Baltimore can enjoy nature, no matter where they live or their background. It started in 2019 with a special promise called the Children's Outdoor Bill of Rights to give every child fair access to parks and outdoor spaces.
Baltimore Children's Outdoor Bill of Rights
All children in Baltimore have the right to:
- Breathe fresh air
- Explore safe and inviting forest and wild spaces
- Splash in clean streams, ponds, rivers and the bay
- Grow a garden and eat fresh fruits and vegetables
- Play in vibrant neighborhoods, schoolyards and parks
- Understand and feel connected to their city's unique ecosystem
- Develop confidence in outdoor skills and recreation
- Work with neighborhood mentors in nature
- Have space for agency and action
To join this effort and move our Baltimore Implementation Plan strategies forward, please click here to contact Mary Hardcastle.
The Greater Baltimore Children and Nature Collaborative (GBCAN) helps kids and adults connect with nature. It works with others to make sure children get the care they need to stay healthy and enjoy nature.
GBCAN is guided by the following organizations:
Baltimore City Recreation and Parks, Baltimore City Office of Sustainability, Baltimore Green Maps, Blue Water Baltimore, Chesapeake Center for Youth Development, Friends of Gwynns Falls/Leakin Park, Friends of Herring Run Parks, Greater Baltimore Wilderness Coalition, MD Chapter American Academy of Pediatrics, Natural History Society of Maryland, Nature Art in the Park, Parks & People Foundation, Y of Central MD.
The Greater Baltimore Children and Nature Collaborative follows these guiding principles to promote nature connections:
- Nature as Teacher and Nurturer—All children need time to explore nature through unstructured and self-directed play in nearby natural spaces;
- Connection—Nature provides an opportunity to deepen our relationship with ourselves, each other, and our environment;
- Community and Society—Preserving and creating natural settings, especially on public lands, provides restorative places for families and neighbors to interact and grow the community;
- Role Models—A caring adult who shares a love of the natural world can inspire a sense of awe and wonder in a child;
- Respect—Learning to respect nature and others is fundamental for our well-being, the wellness of others, and the Earth as a whole;
- Access—To engage and connect to nature, children and adults need access to information, resources, and developmentally appropriate activities.
In 2013, Baltimore City Recreation and Parks adopted GBCAN as an initiative because we believe in the importance of nature connections. GBCAN activities support our “Get Active and Stay Healthy” campaign by encouraging children and their families to connect to nature in city parks.
Get Out There!
Spending time outside helps kids feel good about themselves and their community. Playing in nature helps children learn and makes them happy, healthy, and smart. It’s also a fun way for families to spend time together and doesn't cost a lot of money.