feature
GET KIDS OUTSIDE Words by Lindsay DeFrates
W
hen looking for innovation in the field of
evaporate under starry skies. However, what
research establishing the effect of nature
every local public school teacher and nonprofit
on children’s health, the densely-populated,
leader knows is that not all residents of the
urban neighborhood of Oakland, California,
Grand Valley see it that way. Getting into the
paints an unexpected backdrop. Yet Dr. Rashin
great outdoors or taking time to walk through a
Noozani, a pediatrician at USCF Benioff
park is a luxury that requires time, money and
Children’s Hospital, Oakland, and her team in
transportation, as well as sufficient background
the Stay Healthy in Nature Every day (SHINE)
knowledge and the confidence that you are
program recently published some powerful,
actually welcome there.
peer-reviewed studies connecting long-term
health, especially for children, with time spent
health and happiness to time spent in nature —
in nature. Their findings support the long-held,
piles up, local school districts, nonprofits and
but not previously clinically tested, belief that
volunteers are still pushing back against the
nature reduces stress and anxiety and supports
false assumption that anyone can get outside if
strong immune systems which lead to fewer
they want to. Below are three local examples of
chronic health conditions as an adult.
groups who provide different ways to engage
Yet, as research like Noozani’s — connecting
kids more with the beautiful natural world
RESEARCH SAYS GET KIDS OUTSIDE
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surrounding us.
These studies are ground-breaking as they
IN THE SCHOOLS
provide replicable data and validated protocols
Nearby in Parachute, School District 16 has
to prove that people, especially children, are far
recently taken impressive strides in establishing a
more healthy when they go outside. Focusing
vibrant and inclusive outdoor education program.
her work on the children of families living in
According to Clint Whitley, the new outdoor
poverty and those more at risk of facing toxic-
education coordinator for the district, “the
stress situations early in their development,
biggest challenges for families to get outside are
Noozanie hopes to create a stronger connection
gear, transportation and know-how.” The school
between doctor’s offices and local parks by
district is working to overcome these hurdles
“prescribing nature.” Her urgent call to those
through a major grant from GOCO Inspire.
interested in the long-term health of the next
Besides
generation, whether they are doctors, parents,
explained that the three-year grant has helped
teachers or community leaders, is to help get
build a vibrant gardening community at the
America’s children back outside.
elementary and middle schools. Students can
In the Grand Valley, nature seems a lot closer
take classes in how to become junior master
to us than it does to the residents of Oakland.
gardeners through a partnership with 4H/CSU
We have the Book Cliffs, the towering ochre
and tend the food garden under a new garden
beauty of Colorado National Monument and the
dome at Bea Underwood Elementary school.
confluence of two major rivers. For many of us,
it is the work of a weekend to get lost in a maze
for experiential and adventure programs for
of beautiful public lands, unplug and let stress
students that most would not otherwise be able
funding
his
position,
Whitley
Off-campus, the grant has also provided
