Pheasants Forever: Education
Here's the challenge: How do we get youth outdoors? How do we pry them away from the virtual world of computers, video games and television to experience the real world? How do we engage youth in activities that are enjoyable, exciting and full of discovery about the natural world? How do we inspire a sense of stewardship, perhaps first a sense of wonder? How do we involve families so our young people have support, additional opportunities and simply something new?
Answer: Get involved with Pheasants Forever's No Child Left Indoors™ Initiative! This new initiative is Pheasant Forever's response to a nationwide movement to get kids outdoors, spurred in part by Richard Louv's popular book Last Child in the Woods, Saving Our Children from Nature-Deficit Disorder. There is a growing concern that we need to unplug kids from electronics and turn them on to the natural world. And we need to do it now before we lose a generation of young people.
Working with chapters, members and conservation partners, Pheasants Forever will provide opportunities for youth and their families to be involved in outdoor activities through youth habitat projects, outdoor events and community events/activities.
This website will provide a menu of ideas for how to get kids outdoors, how to involve families and where to go for more information. For specific questions in these areas, contact:
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Outdoor Skills Youth Programs, the National Youth Leadership Council:
Rich Wissink, National Youth Programs Specialist, rwissink@pheasantsforever.org - Youth Habitat Projects, Leopold Education Project:
- Community Events and Activities, Leopold Education Project:
Janine Newhouse Kohn, National Education Specialist, jkohn@pheasantsforever.org - Pheasants Forever Education and Outreach:
Cheryl Riley, V.P. Education and Outreach, criley@pheasantsforever.org
If we who love the outdoors, cherish hunting traditions and believe in conservation, don't do this - who will? Thanks for your help!
