Page 13 - Gateways_2019_SPRING

Reaping the Awards

AWARD Since the launch of the Chicago Zoological Society’s
NatureStart™ Professional Development program in

2010, we’ve known that the program to train informal

educators at zoos, aquariums, nature centers, and other conservation

organizations in nature play-inspired early-childhood education is

something special.

Now, others know it too—at the 2018 Association of Zoos and

Aquariums (AZA) conference, the NatureStart™ Professional Develop-

ment program was awarded Top Honors in the education category. The Society’s NatureStart™ Professional Development program trains informal
educators in the art of nature play-inspired early-childhood education,
It’s not the first time our nature play-related programs have been examples of which can be seen in the photos above.

recognized: in 2011, the NatureStart™: Early Childhood Nature Program “It’s amazing to see what different educators and
groups are doing with the training and how they’re
received a Significant Achievement Award, focusing on the nature play incorporating nature into their programs,” said Marilyn
Brink, manager of professional development and
activities available at Hamill Family Play Zoo. early childhood NatureStart™ programs. “Everyone
implements the principles in their own way, while still
The NatureStart™ Professional Development program builds on the focusing on the importance of providing children
with access to nature—it’s incredible to see.”
Play Zoo’s principles, and shares them with individuals around the
country. Now that the training program has been in place for nearly a

decade, staff are seeing NatureStart™-inspired programs develop at

zoos across the country, such as Denver Zoo and the Bronx Zoo.

BROOKFIELD ZOO | SPRING 2019 13