Page 37 - NatureStart Network
P. 37
CHAPTER 7
Envisioning the Future
“Children embody our dreams and hopes for the future. They also inherit our
legacies, including the consequences of how we treat the environment”
–THE UNITED NATIONS, CHILDREN IN THE NEW MILLENNIUM
“Our team is honored to be part of this project. The resources Network. Our 18-month pilot project has established
are so rich, and we have the seeds to create amazing things a firm foundation and has sprouted powerful, vital
in the Chicago area, connecting humans with nature from networks. It’s up to us to sustain that momentum and
the micro level to the macro.” build new connections.
-Mary Ruth Coffey, “The success of creating sustainable nature-inspired early
Mary Crane Head Start NatureStart participant childhood learning, especially in urban environments
depends on meeting people where they are, making programs
During the 18-month pilot project, NatureStart Network relevant, making sure green spaces are accessible. City-
participants broadened their understanding of how young dwellers need education, transportation, and more natural
children learn and experience the world. They gained spaces. Suburbanites need guidance to understand that
valuable tools for incorporating inquiry-based learning unstructured play time is a positive thing. Organizations
and nature play activities in the classroom, outdoor need networks and connectivity. We all have expertise to
spaces, homes, and in city neighborhoods. They developed share and are stronger for collaboration.”
rich and robust friendships and partnerships, the fruits
of which were thoughtful, dynamic, multidisciplinary, – Artt Matthews, recreation supervisor, Department of
family-focused nature play activities that enrich family Conservation and Experiential Programming, FPDCC
experiences, learning, health, and wellbeing. They
determined the keys not only to creating new nature “I’m excited by the promise of collaboration, of getting
play opportunities in an urban environment, but to CEOs and boards to support this vision, to getting people
ensuring their sustainability over time and in the face of with power and money aligned with our mission. We need
changing staff and challenging budgets. Together, they to work together to create individual wellness and healthy
explored, created, learned, grew, solved problems, created communities.”
opportunities, identified resources, and HAD FUN!
Trees have roots that connect underground and –Mary Ruth Coffey, executive director,
support one another, reaching through the branches Mary Crane Head Start
up to the leaves. The same is true for the NatureStart
— 35 —
