Summit Agenda

University of Montana, Missoula
Wednesday and Thursday, February 11-12, 2009

…A public lecture and learning opportunity for parents, teachers, kids and community leaders living in West Central Montana.
…A project of the Montana Children and Nature Initiative.

Wednesday, 11 February 2009

Children and Nature Summit Opening Session
The Amazing Impacts of Nature on Kids
7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Urey North Lecture Hall, UM Campus
FREE and open to public

Over the past decade, children have had less and less contact with the natural world compared to generations of children before them. This loss of connections to the natural world affects the health and well-being of our children, as well as the future stewardship of our public lands. Richard Louv, author of the bestseller Last Child in the Woods, calls the condition “nature deficit disorder.” The Missoula Children and Nature Summit aims to raise awareness of this problem and explore solutions.

Introductions and Welcome by City of Missoula Mayor John Engen and James Burchfield, Dean of the College of Forestry and Conservation.

Guest Speaker, Rick Potts, of the National Park Service, will share his personal and professional observations and experiences related to “nature deficit” as a naturalized Montanan and the current director of the Conservation and Recreation Division of the National Park Service.

Featuring:

Amy Martin and Missoula’s Coyote Choir at the YMCA singing from their recently released CD, “Ask the Planet”.
Kid’s Nature Night Hike lead by the Montana Natural History Center with support of the UM Student Recreation Management Club. Please dress accordingly. Hike immediately following the Coyote Choir performance. Hike best for ages 5 to 12.

Thursday, 12 February 2009

Summit Session II
Nature Deficit to Nature Connectedness
1:00 pm – 4:45 pm
University Center —3rd Floor, UM Campus
Fee: $18 or Active Griz Card (Fee waivers available)

Together we will explore how to best lead our children to live healthy active and fulfilling lives through a connection with the natural world. Join us as we learn about data, policy, and programs as well as threats and opportunities, specific to the West Central Montana.

12-1pm: Check in, Lunch on your own in the UC Commons, light desert provided in the foyer outside Rooms 326 & 327, 3rd Floor.

1-2:30pm Welcome by Mayor John Engen and James Burchfield, UM College of Forestry and Conservation, University Theatre, 3rd floor UC

Is Missoula MT at risk and why? Why does it matter? How do we overcome the barriers? Panel facilitated by James Burchfield.

Panel Speakers:

Greg Oliver, Missoula City County Health Dept - BMI, Mental Health, Education, Barriers, Local statistics on Missoula’s environmental and human health, affects on success in school, etc.
Roger Millar – Our built and natural environment...creating healthy places for citizens while protecting our natural resources and air/water quality in a growing community.
Rick Potts – Today’s children, tomorrow’s leaders and stewards of our public lands and natural environment.
Steve Archibald – What benchmarks should we be concerned with regarding our kids today and how might educations play a role in engaging youth in their environment while improving performance in school.

How Missoula can reverse trends? The audience will have opportunity to engage the panel in questions and solutions.

2:30-2:45 Break in Foyer

2:45-4pm – Breakout Sessions: Getting “back” Outside

Breakout A: The Built and Natural Environment: In a typical day, our children have many opportunities to experience the natural world. How can we help shape our built environment to enhance those opportunities? Learn how citizens working with planners, developers, Missoula Children and Nature Summit managers, landscape architects, school boards and others, can work to create and maintain places that connect with our natural world and enhance children’s access to outdoor learning opportunities.
Panel and Facilitators: Kent Watson, Lisa Moisey, Roger Millar, Dave Shaw

Breakout B: No Child Left Inside: Linking Nature Education to the Classroom: In a tight economic climate with pressures of “No Child Left Behind” our children are spending less and less time in active play and outdoor environmental learning. Educators will explore the importance of a childhood connection to nature, discuss what is necessary to ensure that children develop this connection, and explore the variety of programs and resources available in Missoula for teachers.
Panel and Facilitators: Fletcher Brown and Lisa Bickell

Breakout C: Creating and Facilitating Unstructured Outdoor and Active Play: Society and barriers, both perceived and real, have caused parents and youth leaders to become increasingly structured and focused on technology and the indoors. Children have been shown to be losing important opportunities to learn creative thinking skills, engage in exploration, and practice healthy lifestyles. Explore new ways to structure existing activities and new ideas in programming. Learn about local opportunities to engage kids and families in the outdoors. For teachers, youth leaders, daycare providers and parents.
Panel and Facilitators: Ian Foster, Jason Pignanelli, Bill Borrie, Porter Hammitt, Ria Overholt, Scott Stires and Paul Belanger

Breakout D: The Role of UM and our next generation of leaders…Mobilizing GenWise: How do today’s Generation Y’s (ages 17-30, including UM students) prepare for an environmentally or children focused career? What can you do now to change the trends? What research, relationships and outreach are necessary to connect UM faculty, staff and students to the Community’s Children and Nature movement?
Panel and Facilitators: Rick Potts, Jamie Fields and Jim Burchfield

4-4:15 Break in Foyer

4:15-4:45pm Closing Session: Next Steps…
How to get involved in the Missoula Children and Nature Network; Results and information from the Summit; Website and Domain, Mobilize GenWise Think Tank: Jim Burchfield Closing Comments: Rick Potts

Summit Social
For Think Tank members, Summit registrants and invited local professionals
Time and location to be determined