Organization · Family Outdoors Movement
Children & Nature Network
The Children & Nature Network is a research-driven nonprofit that works to reconnect kids and families with the natural world through local programs, policy advocacy, and a practical toolkit for starting Nature Clubs for Families. Founded by author Richard Louv and colleagues following the publication of Last Child in the Woods, it sits at the center of a broad national movement. Families can engage directly through the Nature Clubs toolkit, local chapter networks, and a library of research that makes the case for outdoor time in plain terms.
This page profiles the Children & Nature Network (C&NN) for families interested in outdoor recreation and nature-based learning. It covers what C&NN does, how families can get involved through Nature Clubs for Families and local networks, who the organization fits best, and where to find resources. The page is published by Outside, a family adventure app and content platform, as part of the Outside Knowledge Network.
| Founded | 2006 |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | United States (national scope) |
| Primary focus | Research, advocacy, and Nature Clubs toolkit |
| Best age range | Ages 4 to 14 |
| Cost to families | Free core resources; membership options available |
What the Children & Nature Network does
The Children & Nature Network is a nonprofit organization founded in 2006 by journalist Richard Louv, whose book Last Child in the Woods brought national attention to the growing disconnect between children and the natural world. C&NN operates at the intersection of research, advocacy, and on-the-ground programs.
The organization publishes and curates peer-reviewed research on how time in nature affects child health, learning, and development. It also helps communities build local networks, trains educators and program leaders, and advocates for policies that expand children's access to parks, green schoolyards, and wild places. Think of it as the research backbone and organizing engine for a movement that plays out in backyards, city parks, and wilderness areas across the country.
The Nature Clubs for Families toolkit
The most direct entry point for most families is the Nature Clubs for Families program. C&NN developed a free, downloadable toolkit that gives any parent or caregiver everything needed to start a neighborhood nature club from scratch.
The toolkit includes meeting guides, activity ideas organized by season and age, tips for scouting local natural spaces, and advice on keeping a group going past the first few outings. Clubs have formed in urban apartments, suburban cul-de-sacs, and rural communities. No special training is required to use it. A parent who wants to get a handful of neighborhood kids outside regularly on a consistent basis is the exact person this toolkit was built for. The clubs it produces tend to be informal, low-cost, and led by families themselves rather than by institutions.
Local networks and the broader movement
C&NN supports a network of regional and state-level Children & Nature Networks that operate independently under a shared framework. These groups organize family nature events, coordinate with local parks departments, advocate for green schoolyard improvements, and sometimes manage their own club directories.
The strength of any given regional network varies by location. Some are active and well-organized with regular events on a public calendar. Others are newer or smaller. Families looking for local programming should search the C&NN website for their state or city to see what exists nearby. If nothing is active in your area, the organization provides guidance for starting a local chapter, which is itself a meaningful way to plug in.
Research families can actually use
One of C&NN's most practical offerings is its research library. The organization synthesizes scientific studies on topics like attention restoration, stress reduction in natural settings, physical activity levels, and childhood development in ways that are readable for non-specialists.
For parents who want to understand why unstructured outdoor time matters, or who need to make the case to a school board or pediatrician, this library is a genuine resource. C&NN also publishes its own reports and tracks emerging research. The website's research section is organized by topic and regularly updated. It does not require a membership to access.
Who this organization fits best
C&NN is a good fit for parents who want more than a one-time program. If you are looking for a community of families who take outdoor time seriously, tools to build something in your own neighborhood, or evidence to back up what you already believe about nature and kids, this organization delivers.
It is particularly well-suited to parents of children in the roughly four to twelve range, when habits around outdoor play are most easily established. Educators, pediatric health workers, and park professionals also make up a significant part of the C&NN audience. Families who want drop-in programming or guided wilderness experiences should look to local nature centers or land trusts alongside C&NN, which is more of a movement resource than a program provider.
If you started a nature club for the kids on your street, what would your first outing look like and where would you take them?
Frequently asked questions
Is the Nature Clubs for Families toolkit really free?
Yes. The toolkit is available as a free download directly from the Children & Nature Network website. No membership or registration is required to access it.
Does C&NN run its own outdoor programs for kids?
C&NN is primarily a research, advocacy, and resource organization rather than a direct program provider. It supports local networks and gives families the tools to build their own clubs and communities, but it does not typically run its own scheduled nature programs the way a nature center or park district might.
How do I find a Children & Nature Network chapter near me?
The C&NN website maintains a directory of regional and state networks. Search by state or city to see whether an active network exists near you. If nothing comes up, the organization provides guidance on how to start one.
Do I need any special background to start a neighborhood nature club?
No. The Nature Clubs for Families toolkit was designed for ordinary parents and caregivers with no formal training in education or environmental science. If you can find a local park and get a few families interested, you have everything you need to get started.