People in Nature

In August, CBS’ “The Early Show” recognized the danger of what we’re now informally calling “nature-deficit disorder.” The show featured the 25 best cities in America for raising kids so they live healthy young lives that are connected to – not cut off – from the natural world. As coiner of the “nature deficit disorder” phrase, I couldn’t have been more pleased. But what about the rest of us, who aren’t able or willing to relocate? Read More

Got dirt? “In South Carolina, a truckload of dirt is the same price as a video game!” reports Norman McGee, a father in that state who bought a small pickup-load of dirt for his daughter and friends. McGee is turning consciousness into action. So is Liz Baird, who keeps a “wonder bowl” available for her children. Other families are taking Nature Staycations. Read More

Reducing our society’s nature-deficit disorder can’t pay the mortgage or immediately replace a lost job, but doing so could help reduce stress, and improve our health and our sanity. Read More

A nature-balanced life reduces many barriers to education, including psychological and physical health, stress, attention deficit and cognitive functioning. Researchers at the University of Illinois have shown that the greener a child’s everyday environment, the more manageable their symptoms of attention-deficit disorder. When it comes to reading skills, “the Holy Grail of education reform,” says researcher and educator David Sobel, place-based or environment-based education should be considered “one of the knights in shining armor.” Students in these programs typically outperform their peers in traditional classrooms. Read More