Marketplace of Ideas: Connecting Children to Nature
Conservation Program manager, David Rittenhouse, participated in the Marketplace of Ideas at the St. Paul Leadership Academy. Urban Roots, along with 10 other organizations, met with teams representing 8 different cities from around the country, sharing their successes and strategies for connecting youth with nature. David related how Urban Roots connects 60 teens, and over 2,000 community members each year to the natural world through their work in local parks. Representatives left the discussion feeling charged and excited to explore similar youth programs in their cities. Urban Roots is excited to continue our involvement with the Children’s Nature Network by participating in their Natural Leaders Legacy Camp Regional Leadership Training at Sunray Library early next month. Stay tuned to hear more!
Cities Connecting Children to Nature was sponsored by the National League of Cities and the Children and Nature Network.
Rain and ghouls couldn’t stop Conservation Crew interns from getting the job done! Interns in our Conservation Program teamed up with interns from the Conservation Corps of MN’s Youth Outdoors interns to plant over 850 native plants at Bruce Vento Nature Sanctuary to improve the diversity of flowering species in the sanctuary. The plantings will greatly benefit the thousands of honeybees that moved into 2 hives in the park this summer, as well as the thousands of native pollinators in the area, while providing amazing color throughout the year. This spring, interns will spread native seed in the areas that will receive a prescribed burn. Next time you take a stroll through Bruce Vento and a colorful flower catches your eye, thank an Urban Roots intern!!
Grow Grew Management Plan Update:
Grow Crew Interns recently presented their management plan for the entrance to Willow Brook Park to the DNR Commissioner and his leadership team, along with many of the state’s Regional Directors. The group was energized and encouraged by the work the interns have accomplished so far and are eager to continue to offer support on their work in the future.
