- This event has passed.
Why 21st Century Children Need Nature
November 2, 2017 @ 6:00 am PDT
Renowned Author and Educator David Sobel Presents: Why 21st Century Children Need Nature
Free Event, November 2, 6:30pm
Franklin School Multipurpose Room
Renowned author and educator David Sobel comes to Santa Barbara to provide a free lecture entitled “Why 21st Century Children Need Nature.” Credited with developing the philosophy of place-based education, Sobel has been a recognized leader in the field of education since 1972.
This free community event, hosted at Franklin Elementary, will give parents, community members and teachers timely perspective about why spending time outdoors is ever more essential for today’s children. Since the publication in 2005 of Richard Louv’s Last Child in the Woods, health professionals, educators and parents have been sounding the alarm about a generation of children spending 90%+ of their time indoors, and the related hazards to health and wellbeing.
Sobel and company will focus on the good news, documenting the benefits of nature ranging from mitigation of ADD/ADHD symptoms to improved conditions for learning. Sobel describes childhood as the “formative years of bonding with the Earth.” He sees the influence of time spent in nature as a driving force in shaping environmental attitudes, Sobel calls us to action: “If we want children to flourish, to become truly empowered, let us allow them to love the earth before we ask them to save it.”
Joining Sobel will be Alicia Jimenez from Storyteller Children’s Center, the local school for homeless preschoolers, and Aaron Barbara, counselor for Wilderness Youth Project. The conversation will be presented in English and Spanish with simultaneous translation. Franklin Elementary School, Antioch University of Santa Barbara, and Explore Ecology will co-host with Wilderness Youth Project. This is the penultimate community event before Wilderness Youth Project’s Bridge to Nature Campaign to bring nature connection to the elementary students in our greatest need wraps up on November 4.
Event details:
When: November 2, 6 – 7:30 pm
Where: Franklin Elementary Multi Purpose Room
Who: For parents and educators
Free
A presentation by David Sobel, Alicia Jimenez and Aaron Barba
Contact: Michelle Howard, 805-455-4808 michelle@wyp.org