This Earth Day, discover the NatureHood near you!
This year, Earth Day is on April 22! Learn how Nature Canada’s NatureHood program is the perfect fit with the 2017 campaign focus: EarthPLAY for Earth Day.
Earth Day Canada (EDC) is a national charity founded in 1990. It seeks to inspire and support people across Canada as they connect with nature and build resilient communities. It’s annual campaign works in conjunction with free, year-round, award-winning programs that get people of all ages outside, reconnecting them with nature.
EDC works closely with children and youth through several programs including EcoKids and their new EarthPLAY initiative. EDC also recognizes those leading the way in solving environmental challenges through their Hometown Heroes Awards. The organization works to engage diverse communities in the environmental NGO sector while helping their corporate partners achieve their sustainability goals.
Earth Day 2017’s theme is EarthPLAY for Earth Day! Throughout the month of April, people across the country are encouraged to head outside to play and get in touch with nature.
Why it’s important
Getting kids outside and connecting with nature encourages an appreciation for the natural world. This motivates kids to advocate for and protect our planet in the future. What’s more? Being in nature increases mental and physical health, as well as overall wellbeing.
Bringing back outdoor play and working to make nature a part of everyone’s day-to-day life makes for happy and healthy individuals. It is also crucial for fostering a planet-conscious generation.
Get out in your NatureHood today!
Much like the goals of EarthPLAY, Nature Canada’s NatureHood program seeks to connect people of all ages to nature right where they live. In Canada, many people live in urban areas but there is still plenty of nature to be found. We call this nearby nature!
NatureHood inspires urban residents to connect with nature through celebratory events, educational and stewardship activities and events, and wildlife observation – all set in urban green spaces and Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBA). Through strong partnerships with grassroots naturalist clubs and allies across Canada, NatureHood promotes nature awareness at the local level and exposes a new generation of nature lovers, naturalists and citizen scientists to nature all around them.
In a world of cell-phones and social media, now more than ever Canadians need to remember the joys of being outside and interacting with nature! NatureHood aims to bring down the barriers keeping us from discovering the nature all around us.
Ready to get involved? Good news! We have partners in all different parts of Canada.
Learn about the NatureHood near you. You can even take our virtual tours to discover nearby parks or see the natural beauty in other parts of the country!
What nature are you connecting with this Earth Day? Let us know in the comments, or connect with us on Facebook and Twitter! Send us your pictures and tell us how you are working to connect your kids and family with nature.
