Advocating for Children’s Environmental Health at the Capitol
Last month, I had the opportunity to represent Early Childhood Health Outdoors (ECHO) and join other advocates who support young children’s right to access healthy environments at a variety of events in Washington, D.C. The Future We’re Building Symposium First on the agenda was “The Future We’re Building Symposium,” a collaborative event by the Children’s Environmental Health Network and The […]
National Wildlife Federation Early Childhood Health Outdoors Awarded Grants from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, Caplan Foundation for Early Childhood, and Other Funders
National Wildlife Federation Early Childhood Health Outdoors Awarded Grants from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, Caplan Foundation for Early Childhood, and other funders Early Childhood Health Outdoors (ECHO) is thrilled to announce grant awards from two national early childhood funders, in addition to several new partnerships that will help us grow our impact. We recently received a $200,000 grant from […]
Q&A with ECHO’s Landscape Designers
At the National Wildlife Federation’s Early Childhood Health Outdoors (ECHO) initiative, landscape architecture is a major piece of their mission to expand access to nature for young children across the United States. ECHO’s landscape designers work with sites including child care centers, family child care homes, schools, and public spaces to reimagine their outdoor space for nature play […]
Using Landscape Architecture to Help Shape the Lives of Young Children
We may not always realize it, but the outdoor spaces where we spend time daily help shape our lives and support our well-being. The spaces where we live, work, and play help to keep us active, safe, cool, healthy, and connected. From the gardens where we relax, to the parks where we play, even the […]
“Weather” or Not: Nature Play in All Seasons!
The budding green of spring, the warm sun of summer, the colorful foliage of fall, and the brisk chill of winter—the majesty of our outdoor world is on display throughout the year! Each season provides a unique opportunity for young children and their families, caregivers, and educators to connect with nature in new and exciting […]
Gardening with Young Children: Developing More Than Just a Green Thumb
Hands-on gardening with young children has so many benefits—for the children, the adults who care for them, and the communities they live in. Incorporating gardening into early care and learning settings is a powerful strategy to support lifelong healthy eating habits and help young children learn to care for living things. Involving children in gardening at a […]
Bringing Nature within Reach through Community Partnerships
When community-based, mission-aligned organizations come together to create innovative opportunities for young children and their families to get outdoors and into nature, wonderous things happen! With the support of a generous funder, the National Wildlife Federation’s Early Childhood Health Outdoors (ECHO) initiative embarked on three-year journey in Littleton, Colorado, to connect with partners and bring ‘Nature Within […]
Betty’s Pre-school and Child Development Center: A Center of Community and Heritage
Nestled in the heart of St. Stephen, South Carolina, Betty’s Day Care and Pre-school, affectionately known in the community simply as Betty’s, stands as a testament to dedication, community, and the enduring legacy of Black land ownership. This vibrant establishment has been a cornerstone of the local community for over two decades, providing essential support […]
Centering Community in Albuquerque, New Mexico
The Valle de Oro National Wildlife Refuge, located just outside of Albuquerque, New Mexico, is recognized as the first urban national wildlife refuge in the Southwest. Managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the refuge has intentionally integrated environmental and economic justice into its strategic plan. As part of their journey to transform 570 acres of former […]
ECHO Elevates the Field at Local and National Conferences
Professional conferences provide a platform for like-minded organizations and professionals to come together to advance communication and collaboration around shared priorities that help shape the future of any given field. The early childhood education and nature-based outdoor learning fields are no exception, which is why the National Wildlife Federation’s Early Childhood Health Outdoors (ECHO) initiative makes conference […]