Colorado, like many states across the country, is facing a conundrum in managing its public lands: it is seeking to expand equitable access to the outdoors by removing barriers like cost, while also adequately funding the agencies that manage them. With a record number of people venturing outdoors during the pandemic, public lands have become … Continued
2020 has been a year of reflection and calls for action as immense challenges spotlight inequities in our communities, nation, and world. At times, these circumstances have strained trust among interest groups—including those working to address plastic waste. The pandemic has increased the usage of plastic: in health care, in grocery stores, in restaurants, in … Continued
Like most parents, I’m spending a lot of time thinking about the impossible task facing our school districts to safely reopen schools in a way that meets our kids’ educational, social, and emotional needs; prevents the spread of COVID-19; and provides parents necessary childcare so they can go to work. As school districts try to … Continued
As COVID-19 cases multiply in the U.S. and cities around the world grapple with strict guidelines to stay inside, I have been thinking more and more about the value of space. Getting outside for daily exercise is one of the few activities permissible under the “stay at home” order in my own city of Washington, … Continued
Did you know that today’s kids average less than 10 minutes playing and learning outside per day? Or that the average American child spends more than 40 hours per week in front of a screen? This has serious implications for our kids and our planet. The benefits of regular time in nature are well-documented by … Continued