NWF was one of four non-profits honored for our work in connecting kids to nature, receiving a corporate sponsorship gift and providing an opportunity for us to send four youth representatives to the awards ceremony and event. That was just the catalyst to reinvigorating this work.

Our four youth represented two geographic areas, and delivered diversity of thought, background, projects and ages. Malcolm and Brandon are from the Atlanta area, working on community wildlife habitat and school-based initiatives. Daveishena and Renee joined us from the Navajo Nation reservation in New Mexico, working on community gardening and recycling efforts.

Click here to view the embedded video.

For our kids, the opportunity to travel from home, visit Disney and participate in the youth summit was a unique opportunity. Sprinkle in some true Disney magic, talent, photos with Jane Goodall and a screening of Chimpanzee, thought leadership from Disney executives, and it could be a pivotal moment in the lives of all these children (and adults). Woven in the long stretches of applause, motivational speakers and teary eyes, similar, yet powerful messages emerged:

• Youth not only can make a difference in the future, they do this every day
• Vision, innovation and dogged diligence are gifts; the trick is to capitalize on the uniqueness of youth and create a foundation and pathway for the future
• Children inspired by nature and the outdoors may be different from their classmates, but they are not alone (100 strong at the conference alone)
• Mentors are critical, but not easy to find
• Idealism is powerful, don’t be ashamed
• Never take no for an answer; just revise the question

In the end, I am not sure who was more inspired by the conference, Malcolm, Brandon, Daveishena, Renee, the chaperones, Disney’s leadership…or me.

As NWF embarks on a big, hairy and audacious goal to connect 10 million new kids to nature, we recognize we need more than magic to change the nature of childhood. However, we are anchored, inspired and confident the mix of America’s youth, strong parent/teacher support and corporate commitment and engagement by Disney and others will be only the beginning of returning nature to our children. As Walt Disney once said, this whole thing started with just a mouse…

My son, John John, playing outside.

As a mom, protecting my toddler son from all kinds of hazards is important and, honestly, a little daunting.

To consider that the air he breathes each day could be potentially harmful is scary.  However, we all have a chance to impact this issue.

Air toxics include some of the most hazardous air pollutants known to us. In addition to mercury and arsenic, coal-burning power plants emit lead, other heavy metals, dioxin and acid gases that threaten public health, child development, and our nation’s wildlife.

Mercury Threatens Brain Development

Mercury can be particularly dangerous to unborn babies and young children because as a neurotoxin, it can damage the developing nervous system and impair children’s thinking and learning.

For adults, mercury can harm peripheral vision, cause muscle weakness, affect coordination and impair speech, hearing and walking. According to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) studies, mercury contamination in the U.S. is so widespread, as many as one in six women of childbearing age is likely to have mercury levels in her blood high enough to put her baby at risk.

But don’t fret! You can help!

The EPA is proposing tighter limits on toxic air pollutants and you can help make sure they happen!  Send a message to the EPA in support of strong limits on mercury and air toxics. Your action will not only help protect loons (the bird, not your crazy cousin), but also the health of you and your children.

We make it easy – the letter is already written for you and will take less than a minute (I dare say 30 seconds) for you to edit and send.

According to the EPA’s analysis, each year the pollutant limits are in place will prevent as many as:

• 120,000 cases of childhood asthma symptoms
• 11,000 fewer cases of acute bronchitis among children
• 17,000 premature deaths
• 11,000 heart attacks
• 220,000 cases of respiratory symptoms
• 12,000 emergency room and hospital visits

Speak Up to Stop Air Pollution Today

Take a minute and send a letter to the EPA in support of limits on toxic air pollution. It’s one of the easiest ways to make a huge impact for our nation’s children and our nation’s wildlife.

Being modern-day moms, we’re spending our Saturday multi-tasking.  We’re heading to the park to spend
some time outdoors with our children, but also to walk the trail for National Wildlife Federation’s newest event- Hike & Seek, that will be piloted in three cities this fall:

1.    Washington D.C., Seneca Creek State Park, Saturday October 2, 2010

2.    Chicago at Lincoln Park Grove, Saturday October 2, 2010

3.    Seattle at Seward Park, Saturday October 16, 2010

Hike & Seek is geared to exploring the outdoors wonders together and ensuring nature’s legacy. MacKenzie and John-John were in luck as we were able to hear the birds’ early morning calls and hike in
the cooler temperatures underneath the tree’s natural canopy.

Participants will experience more than bird calls when they hike with us on October 2 or 16th. We’ll have  five interactive Stop & Study stations along the trail to give children a quick break from hiking but to also learn more in depth on the following topics: Trees, Birds, Animal Tracks, Plants, and Water.

Additionally children will receive a naturalist sticker and badge, a Map & Mission Guidebook to plan the outing and a scavenger hunt list of objects to look for along the trail.  And for moms- we’ll have Aveda on-site offering wellness treatments, face-painting for your children, baby gear give-aways from Kolcraft/Jeep and a parent’s guide to nature in each park.

Our journey turned out to be a bit of an expedition as we got a little lost when we tried to find the lake. We promise to have better trail markings and REI representatives will be on-site teaching children (and adults) about hiking.

I hope you’ll join us on October 2nd or the 16th as we embark on this new quest to re-connect with nature.