First-of-its-kind global study shows "a real and fundamental shift" away from nature
Arlington, VA — February 4, 2008 — New Nature Conservancy-funded research shows that across the U.S. and in other developed nations, people are spending far less time outdoors than ever before. The study will be published this week in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
Researchers say this study — the most comprehensive look yet at nature recreation — is a "grim confirmation" of a long-held theory that people, especially children, are spending less time in the great outdoors.
The research builds on earlier studies that showed visits to American national parks were declining, and it illustrates that the problem isn’t limited to parks — and isn’t just found in the U.S. "As a scientist and a conservationist, I find these results almost terrifying," said Oliver Pergams, assistant professor of biological sciences at the University of Illinois at Chicago and lead author of the study. "We are seeing a fundamental shift away from people's interest in nature, not just in the US but in other countries, too. The consequences of this could be deep and far-ranging for health, for human well-being, and for the future of the planet."
To read the complete article click here.
Way Upstream Productions 2008
4 comments:
thanx for the great comment on FFC! enjoyed this article/video on your site. excellent reminder. I am so lucky that my dad "taught me well"...trying to do the same with my daughter!! luckily she loves the outdoors so it's an easy sell
great blog. have you on my reader & will check back often...
my local TU put on a fly fishing social last night for people who have an interest in fly fishing. I brought my 8 and 10 year and had a great time. they had a casting, knot tying, fly tying, and rigging stations.
Get the kids involved early, values are caught not taught.
jvk
Here in Charlottesville Virginia, we have a program called "Trout in the Classroom." TU works with local schools to put aquariums in earth science classes where students can raise trout from minnows. The class then releases them into a river, learning about trout habitat along the way.
There is also a "kid's fishing day" sponsored by the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries. A lot of gear companies and conservation organizations such as TU attend.
Thanks for the "Teach your chidren well" comments and actions. May your kids be good stewards and love the outdoors. I saw this quote today and it seemed applicable to this post; "In the end we will conserve only what we love. We love only what we understand. We will understand only what we are taught."
-Baba Dioum, Senegalese Ecologist
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