Celebrate Nature’s Gifts With The Children’s Nature Institute

The big explorer on his first school field trip, courtesy of the Children’s Nature Institute

There’s an organization in Los Angeles that’s all about connecting children with nature. And they’re hosting a wonderful event the day after Christmas that I couldn’t resist sharing with you.

But before I get to that, I want to formally intro you to this fantastic group.

The Scoop on The Children’s Nature Institute
The Children’s Nature Institute (CNI) provides hands-on, nature-based environmental education programs tailored specifically to young children in the greater Los Angeles area. And they’ve been doing so for 25 years.

I’ve enjoyed many a Tykes on Trails event with CNI, initially when the big explorer was just 2 years old and now with the little explorer, too. These nature walks through Los Angeles and Ventura County parks (like faves Franklin Canyon Park and Temescal Gateway Park) are led by CNI staff and volunteers. Kids are encouraged to explore, discover and enjoy nature. The two-hour walks are more about the journey than the destination and are paced just right for infants through 8 year olds.

These outings are a great way for families to get out exploring nature in Los Angeles.

But CNI also brings nature to those who may not have the means to get out exploring themselves. In fact, CNI has an entire program dedicated to bringing nature education to low-income, special needs, inner city and/or minority youth who would otherwise have no access to it.

The big explorer’s classmates exploring nature with CNI

CNI’s three-part Outreach Discovery Program includes access to a traveling natural science classroom (aka the WonderMobile Workshop), a field trip in nature and an urban nature hunt, which empowers students to discover the wild elements in their own schools and neighborhoods.

If you’re wondering how CNI can do all of this amazing work, the answer is through the work of a completely dedicated staff, an amazing group of volunteers (anyone interested can train to lead walks), and funds raised through donations and events like the Tykes on Trails and Family Nature Walks.

Most CNI walks run about $25 per child. I take some reassurance knowing that every time I attend one of these walks, my donation is paying for another child who can’t afford it to have a similar experience.

And that’s a cause I can get behind.

Come Join Us to Celebrate Nature
CNI is hosting a family nature walk on December 26 at Solstice Canyon in Malibu. We’ll be attending and we’d love to have you join us!

The theme of the walk is “Celebrating Nature’s Gifts,” and while the specifics will be determined on site, the idea is that we’ll talk about the many gifts – both natural and man-made – that surround us and enrich our lives every day.

If your house is anything like mine at the moment, you know that a quiet morning in nature may be just what the family needs come the day after Christmas.

If you can’t join CNI this Sunday, sign up for a future event. (You can check out the calendar here.) And do one even better, make a donation to help a child learn from and explore nature.

The Children’s Nature Institute has a lot of exciting things happening in 2011, and I’ll be sharing more about future events in the year ahead.

Until then, we hope to see you on the trail!