Colorado Earth Day Forum: Connecting Kids to Nature 

The National Wildlife Federation and Environmental Protection Agency present the Colorado Earth Day Forum: Connecting Kids to Nature on Earth Day, Tuesday, April 22nd, 2008. This forum will join over one hundred of Colorado's leaders across disciplines to address the disconnect between children and nature. 

Who: Those representing children's health, outdoor businesses, conservation organizations, government agencies and education

What: A Forum on Connecting Kids to Nature

When: Earth Day - April 22, 2008, 9 AM - 5 PM

Where: U.S. EPA Denver Office Building, 2nd Floor Conference Center, 1595 Wynkoop Street, Denver, CO 80202

For on-line registration or more information visit: http://www.epa.gov/region8/ee/forum.html  

Please RSVP by April 14, 2008

In his book, Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children From Nature-Deficit Disorder, Richard Louv reported a growing concern of parents, educators and physicians: Children aren't playing outside much anymore- not even in the back garden or the neighborhood park.

Experts representing children's health, outdoor businesses, conservation, education, government agencies are among the many leaders that will join together to begin addressing this challenge and its solutions in Colorado.

The day will feature Lieutenant Governor Barbara O'Brien as keynote speaker and panel of experts setting the stage for understanding and exploring solutions to the disconnect Colorado children have with nature.

Confirmed panelists include: Dr. Sandy Stenmark, Pediatrician, Director of Pediatric Weight Management Programs, Kaiser Permanente, Dr. Louise Chawla, University of Colorado leading researcher on Connecting Kids to Nature, Roberto Moreno, President of the Colorado based snowsports diversity initiative ALPINO and a lecturer at Colorado Mountain College, and Eric Bergman, Director of the Office of Smart Growth in the Colorado Department of Local Affairs. Other invited panelists represent business and education communities.

Afternoon work sessions will allow participants to engage in meaningful small group sessions focused on identifying strategies and next steps to take to Connect Colorado's Children to Nature.

NWF Sportsmen Communication’s Training

May, 31, 2008 Glenwood Springs, CO.

The National Wildlife Federation is hosting communications training for sportsmen in Glenwood Springs on Saturday May 31, 2008 (this is the Saturday after Memorial day Weekend) from 10:00 AM until @5:00 PM at the Ramada Inn, 124 West 6th ST. This is the first street you cross after turning off I 70 into Glenwood.

This training is designed to teach people who are leaders or spokespersons in their organizations how to message effectively, when to message and who to message to. It will feature training from Todd Malmsbury, for years the PR Guru for the CDOW and Theo Stein from Resource Media. They will share their combined years of experience and media savvy with participants, answer questions and walk us through mock interviews.

There is no cost for the training, a morning coffee break and lunch will be provided but we do need you to sign up in advance. The training is limited to 25 on a first come, first served basis and initially we would limit participation to two members per group. If you have more we can put them on a wait list if positions become available.

Contact Bill Dvorak, NWF Public Lands Coordinator for questions or to register. 719-221-3212 or 719-539-5607

If you know of a public lands event in Colorado, please let us know by emailing us at info@ourpubliclands.org.