Urban nature is everywhere! Some think of nature as being divided into the built and non-built environments. The city contains huge amounts of the built environments, from the sky scrappers, the sidewalks, streets, and cars. Despite these elements being built by humans, they still contain nature. Birds fly around above our heads, making nests in street lamps and crevices in buildings. Plants are growing in cracks in the sidewalks and on vacant lots. If you look closely enough, you can find nature anywhere.
On this website, we emphasize that nature isn't only "out there," away from the city in the middle of the wilderness. Instead, we want city kids to know that they have their own nature right here, where they live. We concentrate on what is called "place based education". This type of education celebrates and focuses on a particular locale and seeks to instill a sense of place in children. When children connect to their local environment, it becomes a special place to them. Children then develop a sense of ownership and respect for that place. This can result in children wanting to perform pro-environmental actions to keep this place safe. It can also lead to children becoming adults who show care and concern for their environment.
On this website, we emphasize that nature isn't only "out there," away from the city in the middle of the wilderness. Instead, we want city kids to know that they have their own nature right here, where they live. We concentrate on what is called "place based education". This type of education celebrates and focuses on a particular locale and seeks to instill a sense of place in children. When children connect to their local environment, it becomes a special place to them. Children then develop a sense of ownership and respect for that place. This can result in children wanting to perform pro-environmental actions to keep this place safe. It can also lead to children becoming adults who show care and concern for their environment.