[Scico-list] You are invited to the 2008 Colorado Earth Day Forum: Connecting Kids to Nature

[Reinsvold, Lori]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: Dew.Wendy at epamail.epa.gov 
To: dew.wendy at epa.gov 
Sent: Friday, February 29, 2008 3:30 PM
Subject: You are invited to the 2008 Colorado Earth Day Forum: Connecting Kids to Nature


The 2008 Colorado Earth Day Forum 

Connecting Kids to Nature 

April 22, 2008 9 AM to 5 PM   Denver, CO 

 <https://owa.unco.edu/exchange/masthot/Drafts/FW:%20You%20are%20invited%20to%20the%202008%20Colorado%20Earth%20Day%20Forum:%20%20Connecting%20Kids%20to%20Nature.EML/_1_0715FF5C0715FB74007BA30F872573FE> 

 <https://owa.unco.edu/exchange/masthot/Drafts/FW:%20You%20are%20invited%20to%20the%202008%20Colorado%20Earth%20Day%20Forum:%20%20Connecting%20Kids%20to%20Nature.EML/_2_07160634071603E0007BA30F872573FE> 



The National Wildlife Federation and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency cordially invite you to participate in The 2008 Colorado Earth Day Forum: Connecting Kids to Nature.   

In his book, Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children From Nature-Deficit Disorder, Richard Louv reported a growing concern of parents, educators and physicians: Children aren't playing outside much anymore- not even in the back garden or the neighborhood park. 

This disconnect between children and nature has a profound impact on our children's physical and mental health and sense of environmental stewardship. In the last 20 years, while time spent playing outdoors has been cut in half, childhood obesity has more than doubled and adolescent obesity has tripled. Research has linked this obesity epidemic to a lack of playtime outdoors. The cost of this childhood obesity could top $100 billion annually to our public health systems. 

Experts representing children's health, outdoor businesses, conservation, education, government agencies are among the many leaders that will join together Earth Day 2008 to begin addressing this challenge and its solutions in Colorado. 

The day will feature a keynote speaker and panel of experts setting the stage for understanding and exploring solutions to the disconnect Colorado children have with nature. 

Confirmed panelists include: Dr. Sandy Stenmark, Pediatrician, Director of Pediatric Weight Management Programs, Kaiser Permanente and Dr. Louise Chawla, University of Colorado leading researcher on Connecting Kids to Nature. Other panelists will represent business, government and education communities. 
  
Afternoon work sessions will allow participants to engage in meaningful small group sessions focused on identifying strategies and next steps to take to Connect Colorado's Children to Nature. 

For on-line registration or more information visit: http://www.epa.gov/region8/ee/forum.html <http://www.epa.gov/region8/ee/forum.html>  


Who: Those representing children's health, outdoor businesses, conservation organizations, government agencies and education 
What: A Forum on Connecting Kids to Nature 
When: Earth Day - April 22, 2008, 9 AM - 5 PM 
Where: U.S. EPA Denver Office Building, 2nd Floor Conference Center, 1595 Wynkoop Street, Denver, CO 80202 


Please RSVP by April 14, 2008 
If this invite should go to someone besides you in your organization, please forward it along. 

For more information or for phone registration call: 

Wendy Dew 
EPA, Region 8, Environmental Education Coordinator 
1595 Wynkoop Street, (OC) 
Denver, CO 80202-1129 
303.312.6605 
dew.wendy at epa.gov <mailto:dew.wendy at epa.gov>  

or 

Julie Gustafson 
NWF, Regional Education Program Manager 
2260 Baseline Road, Suite 100 
Boulder, CO 80302 
303-441-5152   
gustafson at nwf.org <mailto:gustafson at nwf.org>