SD Children and Nature news about funding school gardens, families in nature presentations, photo essay contest!

Upcoming Events:

• Workshops on funding school garden programs on Nov. 3 and 18
• Families in Nature presentations on Nov. 4 at REI-San Diego-Convoy St. on Nov. 18 at Encinitas Library
• Next meeting Tues. Nov. 9, 5:00 pm @ SD Natural History Museum, attend lecture by Stephen Kellert, 6:30-8:00
• Bright Green Photo Essay Contest for high school and college students

Workshop on FUNDING THE SCHOOL GARDEN PROGRAM, Nov. 3 and Nov. 18.  The School Garden Group of the Master Gardener Association of San Diego County is presenting a brief yet highly informative workshop on Wednesday, November 3, 4-6 pm at the Water Conservation Garden and Thursday, November 18, 4-6 pm at the San Diego Botanic Garden.  Intended for teachers and garden coordinators of Elementary, Middle, and High Schools.  This workshop will focus both on the traditional funding options and strategies as well as alternative methods for long term funding of school garden programs.  Detailed instruction and discussion on granting opportunities as well as insights into successful grant application preparation will be discussed. Local representatives from both business and the nonprofit world will present what they look for in grant applications. There will also be discussion led by highly successful grant writers sharing valuable lessons with specific grant writing tips.  $10 charge for materials.  CLICK HERE for more information and sign-up form .  Send questions to FundingWorkshop@gmail.com

PRESENTATIONS at REI, Families in Nature—Taking the Next Step, Thurs. Nov. 4.  Janice Swaisgood and Yasmin Shaddox gave fabulous workshops at the Encinitas REI store on 9/23 and the Chula Vista REI store on 10/14.  The final REI presentation will be at the San Diego-Convoy Street REI store on Thursday, November 4 at 6:00 pm.  From announcement:  “What is this presentation all about?..... SDCaN's ‘Families in Nature’ provides leadership and support to establish and maintain San Diego County family's engagement in nature. One way this is achieved is through a highly engaging workshop for adults. The inspirational team of presenters, Janice Swaisgood and Yasmin Shaddox, share current research about connecting kids and nature and the societal impacts of having (or not) kids connected to nature. Participants will be asked to reflect on their own experiences in nature and look at road blocks to getting out in nature, among many other hands-on activities! This motivating presentation culminates with each individual developing his or her own "action plan" for furthering their families' connections with nature.”  Bring friends, family members, etc. who you think will enjoy and/or benefit from this motivating presentation. The raffle will include such items as Richard Louv's book "Last Child in the Woods", children's nature books, and exploration tools.  All attendees receive a raffle ticket and if you sign up to come with a friend, relative, etc. you get an extra raffle ticket!   CLICK HERE for more information and to RSVP.  

FAMILIES IN NATURE:  TAKING THE NEXT STEP, Thurs. Nov. 18, 5:30 to 7:30 pm, at Encinitas Library-Branch of San Diego County Library, 540 Cornish Dr. Encinitas, CA 92024.  The inspirational team of presenters, Janice Swaisgood and Yasmin Shaddox, share current research about connecting kids and nature and the societal impacts of having (or not) kids connected to nature. Participants will be asked to reflect on their own experiences in nature and look at road blocks to getting out in nature, among many other hands-on activities! This motivating presentation culminates with each individual developing his or her own "action plan" for furthering their families' connections with nature.  It is sponsored by the "Families in Nature" organization, that provides leadership and support to establish and maintain San Diego County family's engagement in nature.  Bring friends, family members, etc. who will also enjoy and/or benefit from this motivating presentation.   CLICK HERE for more details and to RSVP.

NEXT MEETING of SD Children and Nature Collaborative, Tuesday, November 9, 5:00 pm at the San Diego Natural History Museum.  We will introduce the Board and active leaders of SDCaN, and invite you to learn about and give suggestions for increasing the opportunities for San Diego’s children to learn in nature and play outdoors.  These discussions will build on the findings of the four community asset inventories that were completed in June and have been posted on www.sdchildrenandnature.org, for early childhood educators, youth programs, high schools and colleges, and health professionals. We’ll also discuss opportunities for families and seniors!  Then our “learning workshop” will be the Museum’s lecture, Nature in Human Development, 6:30–8 PM, Stephen Kellert, Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies.  This lecture explores the role of nature in the evolution of human biology and culture and how we can better connect the natural and built environments to create positive connections between children and nature. In today’s world, the “natural habitat” of people has become the built environment where children spend on average 90% of their time. Learn about the “biophilic design” as a strategy for creating positive, beneficial connections between children and nature in the human-built environment.  For the SDCaN meeting, bring $5 and we’ll provide pizza for dinner.  Bring $5 for the lecture or do the advance registration. (You can also pay $5 at the door).

BRIGHT GREEN FUTURE STUDENT PHOTO ESSAY CONTEST WITH $, deadline Oct. 31. “Go Green, Win Green:  - Bright Green Future Student Photo Essay Contest.  CLICK HERE to enter contest. San Diego area high school and college students are invited to share their best creative entries for a chance to do green and win green (cash prizes) and be featured at the San Diego EarthWorks Bright Green Future Conference on November 5-6.  Winning submissions will be those that best express a vision of a "bright green future" (or obstacles to that future).  Three winners in each division (college or high school) will win $500, $250 and $100 respectively. In addition two "people's choice" awards for additional cash awards of $250 each will be voted on by BGF Conference attendees. Submissions must be received by midnight, October 31, 2010.  Bright Green Future Conference on November 5 and 6 at the University of San Diego includes sessions on Green Jobs and Businesses / Green Building / Zero Waste / Transportation / Living a Sustainable Life. SDCaN’s Anne Fege is giving a presentation Keeping Kids in Touch with Nature at 4:00 pm on Saturday, Nov. 5.  No fee for conference.  CLICK HERE for information and registration.