News and upcoming events from the Victorian Child and Nature Connection

Kids do better outside, change agents do better together

Dear all,

We hope you are enjoying the warmer sun and lengthening days of Spring as we update you on the happenings of the VCNC.

Kids and nature in the media

We were very excited to hear our very own Dr Dimity Williams talking about kids and nature and why they need each other over the airwaves on Sunday August 25th! The radio station 3RRR's gardening show spent most of their one hour timeslot discussing the benefits of time in nature for children and how gardens can be a wonderful introduction to the natural world. If you missed it check out the podcast at: http://ondemand.rrr.org.au/player/128/201308251300

Yet again in the media with VCNC co-founder and passionate nature lover Cecile van der Burgh in this Monday's The Age newspaper working hard to get national parks on the agenda for this federal election- see: http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/federal-election-2013/seat-of-melbourne-voters-line-up-to-grill-candidates-20130901-2sz0b.html

This advocacy is crucial as if we don't protect our national parks the amount of nature for our children to experience will be dramatically reduced- go Cecile!

Kids and nature on film

Our Facebook site has been showcasing some fabulous initiatives with the most recent being a beautiful film by Belgian film maker http://www.sebastienpins.be/

Upcoming Seminar Nature and Children: why they need each other - 29 October 2013 at Mueller Hall, Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne

The second annual seminar co-hosted by VCNC and the Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne and Cranbourne promises to be a fascinating event with international 'resilience' expert, Professor Michael Ungar speaking on the ways in which time outside, particularly in outdoor camp settings, promotes resilience in young people. Book now or miss out! http://www.rbg.vic.gov.au/documents/Unger_Spring_seminar.pdf

Outdoors Victoria launch with Tim Gill

VCNC were delighted to be part of the official launch of new organisation, Outdoors Victoria- the peak body for all things outdoors in Victoria. Their motto is live life outdoors which aligns well with that of the VCNC and we were pleased to see Tim Gill here for the launch highlighting the importance of time in the outdoors particularly for children.

And another thing…

Please check our facebook page for other upcoming events being delivered by groups and organisations around Victoria who are doing fantastic work connecting children with nature: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Victorian-Child-Nature-Connection/218875424804648?ref=tn_tnmn

Please note the previously advertised Great Aussie Campout - with Australian Camps Association and the Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne- 12 October 2013 has been cancelled. We apologise for any inconvenience this may have caused- the cancellation was beyond the control of VCNC.

Warm regards

Cecile, Chris, Dimity and Jess
Victorian Child and Nature Connection

http://www.victorianchildandnatureconnection.org