Connecting Communities to Nature

Austin, Texas
May 2017

NRPA, in collaboration with the Austin Parks and Recreation Department, National League of Cities and the Children & Nature Network's Cities Connecting Children to Nature team, brought together park and recreation leaders to discuss innovative strategies that create meaningful connections to the outdoors for youth within urban communities. With a focus on underserved populations, this Innovation Lab offered an opportunity for park leaders to hear directly from youth participants on the role parks have played in transforming their environmental ethic and connection to the outdoors.  

 

What was Learned:

• How to evaluate the barriers/disparities in connecting underserved youth to nature opportunities, and identify strategies and highlight success stories that address equity.
• Metrics and tools that help to measure impact and reach of nature programming and spaces focused on youth engagement.
• Site visits and facilitated discussions covering how park agencies and partner organizations are connecting young people to the outdoors through collective impact partnerships. 
• View the event agenda.

Innovation Lab Resources: 

• Connecting Youth to Nature Report - Results from an NRPA Member Survey
• Wildlife Explorers Workbook and Leaders Guide
• Green Schoolyard Report from Children & Nature Network
• Implementation Plan Summaries of CCCN Pilot Sites from National League of Cities
• Blog from NRPA with tips for leading a nature discovery program 
• Creating Environmental Likeability through Park and Recreation Programming (Recorded Webinar from 12/13/2016)
• Impact Stories Worksheet from Cities Connecting Children to Nature
• Baseline Indicator Questionnaire from Cities Connecting Children to Nature
• NRPA's Facility Market Reports - Analyze and Understand Your Community

 

Event Photos:

 

 

 

Learn more about NRPA Innovation Labs.