Madison selected to join “Nature Everywhere” Communities Initiative

MADISON, Wis. (WMDX) – The city of Madison has been selected to join a new nationwide initiative looking to get kids interested in the outdoors. The Nature Everywhere Communities initiative looks to increase equitable access to nature for all children.

The initiative is led by the nonprofit Children & Nature Network, which works with communities to get kids more involved with the outdoors. The Nature Everywhere initiative looks to help 100 communities across the country connect kids with nature by 2025. 

In Madison, the initiative will provide two years of strategic planning and technical support, alongside start-up funding to develop and implement community-driven plans for connecting children and families to nature-based experiences and learning. 

The initiative will be led by a team created in partnership between Public Health Madison & Dane County, the Aldo Leopold Nature Center, Nature Net, the City of Madison, Madison Metropolitan School District, and Madison Parks. A collective of other organizations from across all of Dane County will also help the effort. 

“This partnership embodies our city’s commitment to sustainability and equity, recognizing that access to nature is not only a fundamental human right but also a cornerstone of public health and well-being,” said Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway. 

The Children & Nature Network says that spending time outdoors is important for a child’s healthy development. Time in nature can improve both physical and mental health, academic outcomes, and social-emotional learning. However, they say that children from communities of color and low-income households tend to have less access to natural environments compared to high-income and white families. The Nature Everywhere initiative looks to address those disparities, and make nature accessible to every child. 

“The Madison team’s application hit every mark when it comes to our Nature Everywhere goals,” says Sarah Milligan-Toffler, President and CEO of the Children & Nature Network. “At the heart of the team’s work is health equity and nature connections. With a strong representation from the public health department, the team is looking to address health and racial inequities in Madison. We look forward to supporting and strengthening their efforts.”

To celebrate joining the initiative, the City of Madison is hosting a Nature Everywhere Day event. The event will be based out of downtown Madison, though events will be held throughout the entire Madison area. Activities include nature play spaces, birding and naturalist walks, nature-based arts and crafts, classes and tips from outdoor experts, and more. The event will take place on Saturday, June 1.