Happy Earth Day!

Every year on April 22nd, people across the country recognize and celebrate Earth Day, one of the largest environmental events in the world. 

The goal is not only to promote Earth Day just once a year, but to connect people to nature every day. 

Quite typically on Earth Day people are encouraged to clean up their yards, creeks, streets and overall to just take care of creation. This year they are changing perspectives and focusing on getting children and youth to build a relationship with nature.

They are doing this by promoting programs that focus on outdoor play not only at home, but in schools and parks across the country.

Earth Day Canada believes outdoor, child-led, free play connects children to their inner nature and the natural world around them. Outdoor free play allows children to explore, find adventure, connect with, and adapt their environments as well as build their capabilities. Outdoor free play supports their health, wellbeing, sense of inclusion, resilience, and long-term interest in environmental stewardship. Bringing back outdoor free play for children means transforming schools and communities so they respect children’s basic needs for self-determination, social connection, and natural environments.

Earth Day Canada's new area of focus, EarthPLAY, provides innovative programs, resources and tools for parents, neighbourhoods, schools, educators and policy-makers to bring outdoor play back into the day-to-day lives of children and youth at home, at school and in our communities.

You can find out more about the programs that Earth Day Canada is offering by visiting their website.