December 2015 - Parks & Recreation - 37

ural resources and climate patterns
than any other animal on the planet.
Without the intrinsic connection of
humans to nature, we risk the very
survival of our species. Accepted
definitions of the word aside, separating humans from nature is a recipe for putting people before planet,
when, without a healthy planet, people simply don't exist.
Natural Lessons in Unlikely Places
As I look at my desk, I see a plastic
calculator made of petroleum - a
natural resource that has undeniably
advanced our society. Next to it, I see
my wallet (can't sit on that all day)
made of leather and I wonder if it is
from the skin of a cow, deer or some
other animal. Looking out the window, I see a pond that looks beautifully clear today, but that has a tendency
to become muddy brown after a big
rain - no doubt affected by nearby
construction activity. I see ripples in
the pond, presumably from a carp or
bass surfacing momentarily. These
are all part of nature - from the calculator to the carp. Without asking
you to light incense and chant quietly (although, feel free if you wish), I
invite you to look at nature not as a
thing, but to accept that you and everything around you at all times are
part of nature.
As a park and recreation professional, you have the privilege of guiding others, especially children. You
have a great opportunity to help instill an appreciation and curiosity for
nature. It does not matter if you are
not a master naturalist or have a degree in some " ology. " You probably
know more than you think and likely
far more than the kids in your program when it comes to nature. Help
them make the connection between
nature and what they do and think.

Naturally Creative Strategies
In preparation for this article,
I queried NRPA Connect users
for examples from agencies that
are adding nature to traditionally
non-nature programs and activities.
After only one response, I followed
up by directly contacting several
agencies I thought might be doing
this. I received several good examples - some of which are noted below - however, it is apparent that
great opportunity exists to integrate
much more nature-learning across
park and recreation programs and
activities.
Genesee County Parks in Flint,
Michigan, delivers a Summer Playground Program at five parks. The
enrichment program provides children a safe, fun place to be and includes a healthy lunch each day.
Once per week, Truck Farm and Turtle Van visit each summer playground
location, helping the kids connect nature to their programming activities
and surroundings in the park. Truck
Farm is a mobile garden, installed
on the bed of a trailer. Turtle Van
brings reptiles and animal education
to off-site locations. Also integrated
throughout the summer is For-Mar's
Nature's Superheroes, an initiative
that uses comic books and characters
to teach about nature.
Maryland National Capital Park
and Planning Commission in Prince
Georges, Maryland, extends nature
learning to its afterschool program
and summer camps, including cheerleading, basketball and dance. Community gardens established at seven
community centers allow participating youth to tend to the plants and
cultivate a green thumb, while augmenting the core program focus.
Mecklenburg County Parks and
Recreation in Charlotte, North

Carolina, is planning a 2016 summer camp segment called " How
Did That Get in My Lunch Box? "
based on a book of the same title.
Each week, camp kids will read a
new page in the book and explore
in-person the topic of the page. Activities such as taste-testing white
and wheat bread and learning the
differences between their production and nutrition will be covered in
this program.
Another great idea is to incorporate
nature-focused signage. Your lowflow restroom should have signage
that says more than " low-flow toilet. "
Put up a sign that highlights the number of gallons saved annually and how
this affects the environment, such as
fewer chemicals to treat the water and
reduced depletion of the water source.
Your recreation center garden should
have signage that identifies how the
garden is helping pollinators - and
maybe a message about how the
reader can help pollinators, too. No
permeable pavement, rain garden or
bioswale should be installed without
clear messaging about how and why
green infrastructure is beneficial to the
natural environment.
As you can imagine, there are endless opportunities to help children
understand their interconnectedness
with nature. Not only can this inspire
admiration for the natural world, but
it also highlights the benefits of responsibly caring for nature. You and
everyone within your agency have an
important role in helping make these
connections. Your naturalists and nature centers are great, but they can't
and shouldn't try to do it alone. Remember, Mother Nature doesn't live
at the nature center.
Jimmy O'Connor is NRPA's Director of
Conservation (joconnor@nrpa.org).

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December 2015 - Parks & Recreation

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