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May 2019 Coffee & Discussion

May 2019 Coffee & Discussion Minutes

Topic: Challenges and Solutions to Engaging Older Youth with Nature
Location: Bolingbrook Park District: Hidden Oaks Nature Center, Bolingbrook, IL
SUMMARY:

Moderator: Fatima Al-Nurridin
NCH2 Coffee and Discussion Coordinator: Barb Kreski (barb@barbkreski.com). Please contact Barb if you are interested in hosting a Coffee in the future.  
 
Challenges: 
  • For some, fear re: aspects of nature is very real and must be respected and acknowledged before moving on
  • Cell phone “addiction’
  • Sense of activity being mandatory or a requirement
  • Teachers must buy in before they can lead their students
    • Teachers are challenged by time constraints
    • School-based activities must be tied to educational standards
  • Vandalism, use of nature areas during unauthorized times (night)
 
Ideas/Solutions
  • Choose words carefully to invite youth to participate
  • Provide as few rules as possible in order to assure safety, then emphasize freedom in environment
  • “Sneak” science concepts into play
  • If a potential “troublemaker’ is identified, proactively enlist that person as a leader or assistant
  • Break down large groups into sub-groups of about 5 with a participant/leader of each
  • Emphasize real work vs make work; show respect and care
  • Relate caring for environment to caring for one’s own room or home
  • Teachers can offer extra credit for Forest Therapy walk
  • Create professional development offerings that earn CEUs for teachers, therapists and others
  • For teachers: phenomenon-based learning and story-lining are concepts that lend themselves to incorporating nature in curriculum

  • Dealing with minor vandalism, unauthorized use:
    • Channel interest: set up graffiti board
    • Institute night programs
    • Provide opportunities for acceptable, autonomous use of location (tasks; areas; times when use is OK)
    • Provide a safe outlet as alternative to trauma at home
    • Involve and reflect the community
    • Encourage repeat participation over time so that individuals can see transformation

  • Harness technology
    • Use phone to take photos AND provide a further use/display of those photos
      • Participants create slide show of photos, either individually or as a group project; can send photos to leader/teacher to create the slide show; include ID crediting photographer
      • Blast selfies identifying participant in relationship to nature or element of natural environment
      • Have a photo contest or competition
    • Use App:  https://www.inaturalist.org/

  • Encourage youth participation into adulthood
    • Provide mentorship role
    • Create intergenerational connections
    • Pair “Junior” steward with “Senior” steward
    • Provide system to count volunteer hours for required community service hours for HS students

  • Items linking past and future discussions
    • Alison Mitch, physical therapist, has provided a presentation re: benefits of nature to Illinois PT Association.  This type of presentation was discussed in February as a way of increasing understanding and buy-in among medical professionals.
    • Report re: ParkRxAmerica
      • There currently is not enough information on the ParkRxAmerica.org website for Illinois locations to make it attractive to prescribers.
        • Note added after 5/15/2019: Forest Preserves of Cook County is working with ParkRxAmerica to upgrade the quality of the information about FPCC sites on ParkRxAmerica.org.
      • Jan Roehll has facilitated project fleshing out info for DuPage County
    • Consider for next NCH2 symposium: presentations from nature-based schools such as Prairie Crossing and Waters School (CPS)

  • To continue discussion and develop action items
    • Please share ideas and questions with Sue Gasper (sue.gasper@gmail.com) and Kathleen Skoller (kathleen@forestimmersion.com). Sue and Kathleen are co-chairs of the Education Working Group. 

  • Next NCH2 Coffee and Discussion:
    • When:  July 30, 2019, 8:30 – 10:30 AM
    • Where:  The Farm on Ogden, 3555 Ogden Ave, Chicago, IL 60623
 
Resources:
Mighty Acorns: https://www.mightyacorns.org/
Heritage Corridor: http://www.heritagecorridorcvb.com/Home
I naturalist: https://www.inaturalist.org/
Plant ID group on Facebook: There are multiple groups, here is the name of one and its FB ID.  Plant identification and discussion, https://www.facebook.com/groups/623997204362467/
Mushroom ID on Facebook: There are multiple groups, here is the name of one and its FB ID. The Mushroom Identification Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/MushroomIdentification/permalink/1030980140287969
Wellness in the Woods http://fpdcc.com/wellness-in-the-woods/
The Resiliency Institute: http://www.theresiliencyinstitute.net/
Birds in My Neighborhood: https://www.openlands.org/schools-and-gardens/birds-in-my-neighborhood/
Teacher resources: https://www.openlands.org/schools-and-gardens/teacher-resources/
Major Taylor Trail: https://www.traillink.com/trail/major-taylor-trail/


DISCLAIMER: All information, content, and material on this website is for informational purposes only. This information should not replace a medical consultation or treatment plan given by a qualified healthcare provider. 
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  • About
    • The Triple Aim
    • Current Examples of the Triple Aim
  • Grants and Resources
    • Seed Grants
    • Jobs
  • Newsletters
    • Recent Past Newsletters >
      • January 24th Newsletter
      • January 10th, 2023 Newsletter
      • December 1st Newsletter
      • November 10th Newsletter
      • October 27th, 2022 Newsletter
      • October 13th, 2022 Newsletter
      • September 29th, 2022 Newsletter
  • Data We Can Use
    • NCH2 Blog
    • Readings to Get You Started
    • Recent Research
  • Nearby Nature
  • Join Us