Nature Kids Radio

Jose González is the founder of Latino Outdoors and the co-producer of NKI’s latest film, “Estamos Aquí: A Celebration of Nature y Cultura”, which premiered at The White House in September 2016. You can learn more about Latino Outdoors at latinooutdoors.org and you can see a trailer for the new film at www.naturekidsinstitute.com. 

Ruby McConnell is a geoligist, nature guide and author of “A Woman’s Guide to the Wild”. Much of her work focuses on the idea that the female outdoor experience and relationship to nature is both unique and valid. In this episode Ruby shares her unique story as well as her passion for all things outdoors!  Find “A Woman’s Guide to the Wild” at:  http://www.sasquatchbooks.com Learn more about Ruby: http://www.rubymcconnell.com To learn more about connecting kids with nature: www.naturekidsinstitute.com

Environmental planner Sharon Danks is CEO of Green Schoolyards America.  Over the last fifteen years, her professional work and passion have focused on transforming school grounds into vibrant public spaces that reflect and enhance local ecology, nurture children as they learn and play and engage the community. An accomplished schoolyard researcher and an advocate of ecological design, Sharon has traveled the world to study hundreds of school grounds.  She applies this international experience to her work and celebrates it in her book, Asphalt to Ecosystems: Design Ideas for Schoolyard Transformation. www.greenschoolyards.org

First trained in the vertical discipline of rock climbing, Sam was dismayed at the lack of exposed rock in West Sonoma County upon moving there in early 2007. Drawn to the redwoods, Douglas-firs and oaks, he discovered roped recreational tree climbing and hasn’t stopped climbing since then. Sam started Out on a Limb Tree Climbing in 2009, as a way for him to combine his interests of environmental education and challenge course facilitation. He is a trained Tree Climbing Instructor, certified Wilderness First Responder (WMI) and ACCT Level II Challenge Course Practitioner. www.outonalimbtreeclimbing.com

For the past few 35+ years, Cindy Ross has found peace, happiness, and a sublime sense of contentment while walking and cycling the endless trails that are sewn into the fabric of the North American continent. Her 6th and latest book, “Scraping Heaven- A Family’s Journey Along the Continental Divide” is the rousing adventure of a family’s incredible five-summer, 3100-mile trek over the rooftop of North America. They used llamas as kid carriers and packers to carry supplies and diapers across the Rocky Mountains. The entire journey took 5 summers, hiking 500 miles a shot. The last stretch through New Mexico is all desert, so they traded their llamas in for tandem mountain bikes and pulled trailers full of 100 pounds of gear for the last 650 miles down to the Mexican border. Learn more at www.cindyrosstraveler.com.

Richard Louv is a journalist and author of nine books, including Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children From Nature-Deficit Disorder, The Nature Principle: Reconnecting with Life in a Virtual Age, and most recently Vitamin N: The Essential Guide to a Nature-Rich Life: 500 Ways to Enrich Your Family’s Health & Happiness. His books have been translated into 13 languages and published in 17 countries, and helped launch an international movement to connect children and their families to nature. www.richardlouv.com www.childrenandnature.org

Blogger and “Nature Dad” Michael Barton talks science and family nature adventures. Plus… Hope for a seizure-free childhood for Afton Barton! Michael Barton bloggs at “The Dispersal of Darwin” and “Exploring Portland’s Nature Areas” and is the creator of the popular “Slow: Children at Nature Play” signs. https://www.gofundme.com/seizurefreechildho http://natureplaysign.com https://exploreportlandnature.wordpress.com https://thedispersalofdarwin.wordpress.com Support Nature Kids Radio by becoming a member at www.naturekidsradio.com

Find connections to nature in the concrete jungle’s of Los Angeles. Nature scavenger hunts and much more from Debi Huang of www.goexplorenature.com Support Nature Kids Radio by becoming a member at www.naturekidsradio.com

Adventure Play Grounds, Risky Play, and International Mud Day! Over the past 20 years, Rusty Keeler has worked with hundreds of community, school, parks, university, and childcare leaders to dream, design, and construct beautiful outdoor environments for children in more than 30 states and throughout Canada, Europe, China, Australia, and New Zealand. Keeler is one of the pioneers in the movement to reconnect children to nature and his designs reflect his sincere desire to create a more beautiful world in which to grow and explore. www.earthplay.net Support Nature Kids Radio by becoming a member at www.naturekidsradio.com

Special Guests Susie Wirth and Jessica Ebers take us on a “Tree Adventure” at the Arbor Day Farm in Nebraska. www.arbordayfarm.org Support Nature Kids Radio by becoming a member at www.naturekidsradio.com

What is a Forest School and a Nature Kindergarten? Find out in this amazing interview with Scotland’s own Claire Warden. Claire Warden is an award winning lecturer and author who now has an international reputation for pioneering work in education. Her key areas of work have focused on motivational maths, consulting children, and children’s connection to the natural world. www.claire-warden.com Suport Nature Kids Radio by becoming a member at www.naturekidsradio.com

Scott Sampson is a dinosaur paleontologist, science communicator, and passionate advocate for connecting people with nature. He serves as vice president of research and collections and chief curator at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science, and as host and science advisor for the PBS KIDS television series Dinosaur Train. Sampson is also Program Ambassador of Nature Rocks, a global initiative of The Nature Conservancy aimed at inspiring families to explore nature. www.scottsampson.net Support Nature Kids Radio by becoming a member at www.naturekidsradio.com