Children & Nature Network International Conference brings 850+ international leaders working to connect children to nature to Vancouver, BC

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Children & Nature Network International Conference brings 850+ international leaders working to connect children to nature to Vancouver, BC

April 18, 2017

More than 850 leaders and activists from 22 countries are gathering today in Vancouver B.C. for the 2017 Children & Nature Network International Conference and Summit. This premier gathering of the children and nature movement, co-hosted by the Canadian Wildlife Federation, brings together the world’s leading voices on creating a world in which all children benefit from nature in their daily lives.

Children around the world today spend as much as 90 per cent of their time indoors, and for the first time in human history, more people live in urban areas than in the country. This trend has serious implications for children’s healthy development, and the health of natural places.

“Science increasingly tells us that time in nature has the power to make children healthier, happier and smarter,” says Sarah Milligan-Toffler. “We are thrilled to bring leaders, advocates and activists from many disciplines to explore programs, policies and promising practices for creating equitable access to high-quality natural places for children, families and communities around the world.”

“We are proud to co-host the Children & Nature Network in Vancouver, B.C., during Canada’s 150th anniversary year,” says Rick Bates, CEO of the Canadian Wildlife Federation, one of Canada’s oldest and largest conservation organizations. “Connecting new generations to the natural world is critical to the success of wildlife and habitat conservation and restoration efforts today and in the future.”

The conference will be held at the resort-style Westin Bayshore in downtown Vancouver, which was recently awarded a wildlife friendly habitat certification by the Canadian Wildlife Federation. “The Westin Bayshore, with its connections to Stanley Park and the care it takes to meet the habitat needs of wildlife, is the perfect setting for this conference,” says Bates.

CONFERENCE AT A GLANCE:

What: Children & Nature Network International Conference and Summit
When: April 18-21, 2017
Where: The Westin Bayshore, 1601 Bayshore Drive, Vancouver, B.C., Canada

Schedule:

Wed. April 19, 8am-5pm PT, Summit on Connecting to Nature in an Urban World

Thur. April 20, 8am-5pm PT, Conference, Day 1

Fri. April 21, 8am-noon PT, Conference Day 2

Register: childrenandnature.org/cnc2017 or on-site at The Westin Bayshore
- Full conference registration: $385.00 | 1-day registration: $175.00

Featuring:
Summit on Connecting to Nature in an Urban World; nine conference tracks; workshops, walkshops and action labs; and keynote addresses from:

- Richard Louv, co- founder of the Children & Nature Network and author of the best-selling book, Last Child in the Woods

- Scott Sampson, President & CEO, Science World, Vancouver, and creator of the popular PBS show, Dinosaur Train, in which he plays “Dr. Scott”

- Chloe Dragon Smith, Canadian Parks Council, Connecting a New Generation with Nature

- Guillermo (Gil) Penalosa, internationally recognized urban planner and founder, 8-80 Cities

- Additional presentations from nearly 200 experts from the public health, conservation, education, urban planning, recreation and government sectors; find full program information at cnc2017/schedule-of-events/

With special guest appearances from:
- The Honourable Judith Guichon, OBC, Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia
- Ta’Kaiya Blaney, singer and environmental activist from Tla A'min Nation, B.C.

About the Children & Nature Network. The Children & Nature Network (C&NN) believes that time nature makes children healthier, happier and smarter. C&NN is US-based 501c3 non-profit organization working to connect children, families and communities to the natural world by investing in networks of diverse leaders, driving systems and policy change, and curating and broadcasting knowledge. Learn more at childrenandnature.org

About the Canadian Wildlife Federation. The Canadian Wildlife Federation is a Canadian not-for-profit charitable organization dedicated to fostering awareness and appreciation of our natural world. By spreading knowledge of human impacts on the environment, carrying out research, developing and delivering education programs, promoting the sustainable use of natural resources, recommending changes to policy and co-operating with like-minded partners, CWF encourages a future in which Canadians can live in harmony with nature. For more information visit CanadianWildlifeFederation.ca.

For more information contact:
Laura Mylan
Director, Marketing & Communications
Children & Nature Network
Phone: 1.612.237.2815
Email: laura@childrenandnature.org
Website: childrenandnature.org

Pamela Logan
Communications Director
Canadian Wildlife Federation
Cell: 1.613.222.1405
Email: pamelal@cwf-fcf.org
Website: canadianwildlifefederation.ca

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