In his bestselling book, "Last Child in the Woods," Richard Louv sparked a debate that spawned an international movement to reconnect kids and nature.
He coined the term "nature-deficit disorder," influenced national policy, and helped inspire campaigns in cities, states and provinces throughout North America.
In "The Nature Principle," Louv delivers another call to action — this time, for adults.
Nature-deficit disorder is a constellation of behavioral, physical, emotional and psychological problems that occur in children and adults estranged from the outdoor world.
Louv focuses on many negatives that arise when children do not experience nature, and he highlights the gains that nature — or "Vitamin N" — have on a child's learning and overall well-being.
A "back-to-nature" movement is afoot at schools and libraries across the country. Public librarians are designing nature-based opportunities for families to develop a deeper connection with their environment.
Here at the Crestview Public Library, over 1,300 people visited the Gulf Specimen Marine Lab Sea Mobile on Oct. 3. Parents and children enjoyed the traveling aquariums, including five touch tanks with safe-to-handle species such as starfish, sea urchins, conches, crabs and sponges.
On April 18, Heather Nitzel, our Youth Services librarian, will take Story Time on the road with a field trip to the John McMahon Environmental Center, the Florida Panhandle's oldest tree arboretum. In addition to having more than 100 identified trees, the park's exhibits include turpentine industry tools and animal mounts such as deer, beaver, coyote, turkey, fox and gray squirrel, snakes, armadillo, raccoon and several species of local fish.
Nature has a profound effect on a child's social, emotional and educational development, and in the growing demand for that connection, libraries have the power to facilitate these natural experiences.
As renowned environmental expert David W. Orr writes, "The message is urgent: unplug, boot it down, get offline, get outdoors, breathe again, and become real in a real world."
STAFF PICKS
●www.usa.gov/benefits: Many people look to the government for how to apply for a federal grant.
However, what they're really looking for, often times, are benefits.
Learn more about available benefits and how to apply.
●www.usa.gov/grants: Federal grants are financial assistance awarded to an individual or organization to carry out a government service or purpose.
Visit the grants page to learn more about this process.
Sandra Dreaden is the Crestview Public Library's reference librarian.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: DREADEN: Crestview library aims to reconnect kids with nature