/GrassrootsSurvey2009 by Children & Nature Network

GRASSROOTS LEADERSHIP SURVEY Findings of the 2009 Questionnaire Submitted February 2010 by M. Lynette Fleming, Ph.D. Research, Evaluation & Development Services 11220 E. Stetson Place Tucson, AZ 85749‐9550 520‐749‐4909 fleming@cox.net

Table of Contents Table of Data Displays ............................................................................................................................................... 3 Executive Summary ................................................................................................................................................... 4 Overview of Study ..................................................................................................................................................... 7 Methods .................................................................................................................................................................... 7 Questionnaire Results ............................................................................................................................................... 7 Children and Nature Initiatives.............................................................................................................................. 7 Organization (Question 2). ................................................................................................................................ 7 Formation (Question 3). .................................................................................................................................... 8 Demographic Data for Geographic Areas Served ................................................................................................ 10 Areas Served (Question 4). .............................................................................................................................. 10 Population (Question 5) .................................................................................................................................. 12 Ethnicity and Race Distribution in Geographic Areas Served (Question 6). .................................................... 12 Methods of Communication Used (Questions 10‐17) ......................................................................................... 17 Outputs, Activities and Participants .................................................................................................................... 19 Activities in the Last 12 Months (Question 18). .............................................................................................. 19 Total Audience in the Last Year (Question 19). ............................................................................................... 20 Underserved Youth Reached in the Last Year (Question 20). ......................................................................... 21 Distribution of Children and Nature Network Tools (Question 21). ............................................................... 21 New Nature and Place‐based Efforts. (Questions 22 and 23). ........................................................................ 22 Audiences Reached by New Efforts (Question 24 and 25). ............................................................................. 24 Outcomes ................................................................................................................................................................ 28 Observed Changes (Question 26). ................................................................................................................... 28 Key Findings of Statistical Analyses ......................................................................................................................... 29 Appendix .................................................................................................................................................................. 31

Table of Data Displays Chart 1. Organization Structure ................................................................................................................................ 8 Chart 2. Number of Children & Nature Initiatives Formed, By Year ........................................................................ 8 Chart 3. Organization Structure by Formation Year ................................................................................................. 9 Chart 4. Geographic Areas Served ........................................................................................................................... 10 Chart 5. Geographic Area Served by Organization Structure ................................................................................. 11 Chart 6. Population of Geographic Area Served by Children & Nature Initiative ................................................... 12 Table 7. Ethnicity and Race Distribution in Geographic Areas Served .................................................................... 13 Table 8. Race and Ethnicity Distribution in U.S. Compared with Majority of Grassroots Initiatives ...................... 14 Table 9. Income Level Distribution in Geographic Areas Served ............................................................................ 15 Table 10. Income Distribution in U.S. Compared with Majority of Grassroots Initiatives ...................................... 16 Chart 11. Communication Methods Used ............................................................................................................... 17 Table 12. Numbers Reached by Communication Methods Used by Children and Nature Initiatives .................... 18 Chart 13. Reported Activities of Grassroots Initiatives in the Last Year .................................................................. 19 Table 14. Estimated Participants Reached by Children and Nature Initiatives in the Last Year ............................. 20 Chart 15. Estimated Participants Reached by Children & Nature Initiatives in the Last Year ................................. 20 Table 16. Underserved Youth Reached in the Last Year ........................................................................................ 21 Chart 17. Children & Nature Network Tools Used .................................................................................................. 22 Table 18. New Nature and Place‐based Efforts Started by Children and Nature Initiatives ................................... 23 Table 19. Participant Numbers Reached by New Children and Nature Activities and Opportunities including Nature Clubs for Families, School Gardens, Natural Play Areas, and Community Gardens ................................... 25 Chart 20. Participant Numbers Reached by New Children and Nature Activities and Opportunities including Nature Clubs for Families, School Gardens, Natural Play Areas, and Community Gardens ................................... 25 Table 21. Cross Tabulations of New Children and Nature Activities and Opportunities with Estimates of Total Audience Reached ................................................................................................................................................... 26 Table 22. Estimate of Audience Numbers Reached by 4 New Children and Nature Activities and Opportunities 27 Table 23. Underserved Youth Reached by New Children and Nature Activities and Opportunities including Nature Clubs for Families, School Gardens, Natural Play Areas, and Community Gardens ................................... 28 Table 24. Estimate of Number of Underserved Youth Reached by 4 New Children and Nature Activities and Opportunities .......................................................................................................................................................... 28 Chart 25. Changes as a Result of Children & Nature Initiatives .............................................................................. 29

Executive Summary The Children & Nature Network (C&NN) conducted the first Grassroots Leadership Survey in fall 2009 to establish baseline knowledge of efforts underway in communities, regions, states and provinces throughout the U.S. and Canada to reconnect children and families with nature. Support for development of this survey, analysis and reporting was provided by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation. Representatives of ninety‐three children and nature initiatives throughout the U.S. and Canada started the questionnaire; seventy‐two completed the questionnaire. From their responses the following is known. • •

•

• •

•

• •

The total population in the geographic areas served by the 72 grassroots initiatives that completed the questionnaire is between 185 million and 300 million. Slightly more than one third of the grassroots initiatives are organized as a formal collaborative of organizations, agencies and individuals; nearly another third of the initiatives are organized by a single agency or organization sponsor. More than 20% of the remaining initiatives are in informal collaboratives of organizations, agencies and individuals. More than a quarter of the initiatives started in 2007. A slightly smaller number of initiatives (23.6%) started in 2008, the same number of initiatives that started in 2005 or earlier. Most early initiatives were organized by a single agency or organization sponsor. Later years saw an increase in the number of collaboratives, especially informal collaboratives of organizations, agencies and individuals. More than a third of the initiatives serve one or more of the following: cities, suburban areas, and states. About a fourth of the initiatives serve one or more of these geographic areas: neighborhoods, rural and metropolitan areas. Approximately two thirds of the children and nature initiatives are in geographic areas where the Asian, Black, and Hispanic or Latino populations are between 1‐20% of the population. More than two thirds of the initiatives are underway in geographic areas where 61‐100% of the population is white. These statistics are comparable to the U.S. race and ethnicity distributions reported by the U.S. Census Bureau for 2008. A majority of the children and nature initiatives occur in geographic areas where income levels are distributed in the following range of percentages, which are similar to income statistics reported by U.S. Census Bureau for 2005. o $24,000 or less: 1‐20% o $24,001‐$45,000: 21‐40% o $45,001‐$90,000: 21‐40% o $90,001‐$150,000: 1‐20% o $150,001 or more: 1‐20% Children and nature initiatives report using several communication methods including websites (75%), social networking tools (64%), e‐newsletters (50%), and print newsletters (29%.) In the last year more than half of the grassroots initiatives were engaged in at least one of the activities listed in the questionnaire. Nearly three‐quarters of the initiatives provided networking meetings and children’s outdoor programs and events. Approximately two thirds provided media interviews, capacity building, exhibits or booths, and organizational 4 © 2010 Children & Nature Network

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development activities. More than half provided public lectures, family events and professional workshops. The total number of participants reached in the past twelve months by questionnaire respondents from 68 grassroots initiatives is between 900,000 and 1,500,000. The majority of the reporting children and nature initiatives estimated their activities reached audiences comprised of between 1% and 25% under‐served youth. Nearly half of the grassroots initiatives used or distributed six of the seven C&NN Tools made available to the movement. Of particular note is that nearly 70% of the initiatives used or distributed the research and studies available through C&NN. About half of the initiatives used the Report on the Movement to Re‐Connect Children with the Natural World, C&NN electronic newsletters, C&NN Community Action Guide, and the website news summaries. Nearly half of the grassroots initiatives reported using the Nature Clubs for Families Toolkit. At least 500 new nature clubs for families, school gardens, natural play areas, and community gardens for children have been established in the areas served by these grassroots initiatives. Although 30% of the respondents are unsure of the size of the audiences reached by their new activities, 48 grassroots initiatives reported the total audience numbers participating in new nature clubs for families, school gardens, natural play areas, and community gardens is at least 305,000 and may be as large as half a million. Forty‐one grassroots initiatives reported the number of underserved youth reached by new children and nature activities and opportunities including nature clubs for families, school gardens, natural play areas, and community gardens. Of those grassroots initiatives that knew the number of underserved youth, more than a third (34%) reached audiences comprised of between 1‐10% under‐served youth. Nearly a quarter of the initiatives reached participants that included between 11‐25% underserved youth. New children and nature activities and opportunities offered by another 15% reached audiences that included between 51 to 75% underserved youth. In at least four new activities and opportunities, at least 75% of their audiences were underserved youth. 85% of the questionnaire respondents saw at least one of eight changes since their children and nature initiatives started. Most grassroots initiatives reported partnerships with new allies, followed by 74% who reported community support, and 71% each reported media attention and increased awareness of the importance of nature for children’s healthy development. More than half the grassroots initiatives reported an increased number participating in events and programs. At least a third of the initiatives reported increases in funding, the engagement of pediatricians and others in the medical community, and the number of children playing outdoors. Several statistically significant relationships or correlations between characteristics of the grassroots children and nature initiatives emerged from nonparametric inferential statistical analyses. The findings indicate the following relationships. o The earlier a grassroots initiative formed, the more activities the initiative is likely to have engaged in during the past 12 months. o The earlier a grassroots initiative formed, the larger the estimate of the total participants reached in the past 12 months is likely to be.

o The larger the number of grassroots activities engaged in during the last 12 months, the greater the likelihood is that an initiative uses social networking tools such as facebook and twitter. o The larger the number of grassroots activities engaged in during the last 12 months, the larger the number of C&NN tools used or distributed is likely to be. o The larger the number of grassroots activities engaged in during the last 12 months, the greater the number of changes likely to be seen since the start of the children and nature initiative. o The larger the number of observed changes resulting since the start of the children and nature initiative, the larger the percent of minority (non‐white) populations is likely to be in the geographic area.

Overview of Study The Children & Nature Network (C&NN) conducted the first Grassroots Leadership Survey in fall 2009 to establish baseline knowledge of efforts underway in communities, regions, states and provinces throughout the U.S. and Canada to reconnect children and families with nature. Email invitations issued to designated points of contact and known leaders of children and nature initiatives within the children and nature movement created a snowball sample by encouraging potential respondents to send the questionnaire on to others to complete. The goal was to determine the scope and scale of the growing movement. During the six weeks the questionnaire was available on Zoomerang, representatives of seventy‐two grassroots initiatives completed the questionnaire and reported about their work and program participants. Ninety‐three started the questionnaire; twenty‐one did not finish it. Respondents were encouraged to keep a record of their answers to the questions, so that comparisons could be made to the results. In addition, the same or a similar questionnaire will be administered in the future, so that the Children & Nature Network can monitor growth and change in children and nature activities. All of these data will help C&NN understand the movement’s impact, and will also help with making the case for funding in those cases where funding support is needed. Methods Content analysis was employed for the qualitative responses on the questionnaire. Descriptive and inferential statistical methods were applied to the quantitative responses. Content Analyses. Qualitative data from the open‐ended questionnaire items were analyzed for patterns and themes. Descriptive Statistics. Frequencies, means and percentages were calculated for each questionnaire item. Where appropriate, tables and charts are used to illustrate responses. Inferential Statistics. Relationships between characteristics of children and nature initiatives and several questionnaire items were analyzed using nonparametric statistical analyses including Kendall’s tau, Spearman’s rho, and regression. These analyses enabled us to discern the statistical significant relationships that are reported in the findings section. Questionnaire Results Children and Nature Initiatives Organization (Question 2). The organization structures of the respondents’ initiatives are divided as follows (see Chart 1): •

• • •

31%‐Single agency or organization sponsor 22%‐Informal collaborative of organizations, agencies and individuals 13%‐Other, including lead agency with cooperating partner organizations (3), sole proprietorship (2), university‐based (2), federal government, 501 c 3, and informal family group. Chart 1. Organization Structure Formal collaborative of organizations, agencies and individuals

13% (9)

Informal collaborative of organizations, agencies and individuals

35% (25) 31% (22)

Single agency or organization sponsor

22% (16)

Other

Formation (Question 3). Nearly a quarter of the initiatives (17 or 23.6%) started in 2005 or earlier, the same number of initiatives that started in 2008. 2007 saw the greatest number of initiatives started with 20 or 27.3%, followed by 12 in 2009, and 6 in 2006. See Chart 2. Chart 2. Number of Children & Nature Initiatives Formed, By Year

Number

27.8% (20) 23.6% (17)

23.6% (17)

16.7% (12)

15 10

8.3% (6)

5 0 2005 or earlier

2006

2007

2008

2009

A breakdown of the organization structure by year the grassroots initiative formed is displayed in Chart 3. Although the numbers are small, large changes over time are clear in the increase in the percentage 8 © 2010 Children & Nature Network

of informal collaboratives and the decrease in the percentage of single agency or organization sponsors of the grassroots initiatives. Chart 3. Organization Structure by Formation Year Initiatives Formed in 2005 or Earlier 12% (2)

Formal collaborative of organizations, agencies and individuals

24% (4) 0%

Informal collaborative of organizations, agencies and individuals Single agency or organization sponsor

65% (11)

Other

Initiatives Formed in 2006 17% (1)

Initiatives Formed in 2007

0% 15% (3) 50% (3)

35% (7)

30% (6)

33% (2)

20% (4)

Initiatives Formed in 2008 12% (2)

Initiatives Formed in 2009

6% (1) 25% (3)

25% (3)

47% (8) 17% (2)

35% (6)

33% (4)

Demographic Data for Geographic Areas Served Areas Served (Question 4). Many children and nature initiatives serve more than one geographic area. Chart 4 displays the areas served, ordered by the number of times each area was selected by questionnaire respondents. Cities, suburban areas, and states are each served by more than a third of the initiatives. Neighborhoods, rural and metropolitan areas are served by about a fourth of the initiatives. Chart 4. Geographic Areas Served (check all that apply)

38% (27)

City

36% (26)

Suburban area

35% (25)

State Rural area

26% (19)

Neighborhoods

26% (19) 24% (17)

Metropolitan area

18% (13)

Multi‐county

17% (12)

Nation

14% (10)

County/parish 7% (5)

Multi‐state, multi‐province

4% (3)

Tribal nation

3% (2)

Province Global

International

Small city

Borough

1 0

Number of Children & Nature Initiatives

A breakdown of the geographic areas served by organization structure is displayed in Chart 5. While cities are near the top of the list of areas served, the order of service to suburban areas, states and neighborhoods differ greatly based on organization structure. Few informal collaborative initiatives serve the suburban areas that are served by the other three organization types. Single agency 10 © 2010 Children & Nature Network

sponsors serve few states whereas initiatives with other organization structures work at the state level. Neighborhoods are served primarily by informal collaboratives and other organization structures. Chart 5. Geographic Area Served by Organization Structure Formal Collaborative

Informal Collaborative

City

40%

City

38%

Suburban area

40%

Neighborhoods

38%

State

36%

State

38%

Rural area

24%

Rural area

Metropolitan area

24%

County/parish

19%

Suburban area

19% 19%

20%

Multi‐county Nation

16%

Metropolitan area

Neighborhoods

16%

Multi‐county

12%

County/parish

Multi‐state, multi‐province

Province

Nation

Tribal nation

Province

Tribal nation

Multi‐state, multi‐province

Single Agency or Organization Sponsor

Other Types of Organization Structure

36%

Suburban area

32%

Rural area

67%

State Neighborhoods

56%

City

27%

City

56%

Metropolitan area

27%

Suburban area

56%

Multi‐county

27%

Metropolitan area

22%

Nation

27%

Rural area

22%

Neighborhoods

18%

County/parish

22%

State

18%

Multi‐state, multi‐province

22% 22%

Multi‐state, multi‐province

Nation

County/parish

Multi‐county

Tribal nation Province

5% 0%

25%

11%

Province

Tribal nation

Population (Question 5). The population of the geographic areas served by the responding children and nature initiatives ranges between 10,000 or less and 10 million or more, with the most frequently reported population being between one and five million (18 initiatives – 25% of respondents. See Chart 6.) A conservative estimate is that the total population in the geographic areas served by these initiatives is between 185 million and 300 million. Chart 6. Population of Geographic Area Served by Children & Nature Initiative 10,000,001 or more 5,000,001 to 10,000,000 1,000,001 – 5,000,000 500,001 – 1,000,000 100,001 – 500,000 50,001 to 100,000 25,001 to 50,000 10,001 to 25,000 10,000 or less 0

5 10 15 Number of Children & Nature Initiatives

Ethnicity and Race Distribution in Geographic Areas Served (Question 6). Between 7% and 9% of the respondents did not know the racial or ethnic distribution of the populations in the geographic areas served by their children and nature initiatives. Tables 7a‐f display the known distributions of ethnicity and race in the geographic areas served by the children and nature initiatives that responded to the questionnaire. •

More than a third (37%) of the children and nature initiatives have been started in geographic areas where the white population is between 61‐80% of the population and nearly another third of the initiatives (31%) are underway in geographic areas where 81‐100% of the population is white (Table 7a). 12 © 2010 Children & Nature Network

• • • • •

Sixty percent (62%) of the children and nature initiatives have been started in geographic areas where the black population is between 1‐20% of the population (Table 7b). Less than a third of the initiatives (28%) exist in geographic areas with a native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander population between 1‐20% (Table 7c). Nearly two thirds (65%) of the initiatives occur in geographic areas where the Hispanic or Latino population is between 1‐20% (Table 7d). Two thirds (66%) of the initiatives occur in geographic areas where the Asian population is between 1‐20% (Table 7e). Nearly half of the initiatives occur in geographic areas where the American Indian or Alaska Native population is between 1‐20%; in 40% of the geographic areas, these populations are not present (Table 7f). Table 7. Ethnicity and Race Distribution in Geographic Areas Served

Table 7a. Initiatives by Percent of White Population in Geographic Area White Population (not Hispanic or Latino) Number of Initiatives Percent 1‐20% 2 3% 21‐40% 3 4% 41‐60% 13 18% 61‐80% 26 37% 81‐100% 22 31% Don't know 5 7% Total number of initiatives 71 Table 7b. Initiatives by Percent of Black or African American Population in Geographic Area Black or African American Population (not Hispanic or Latino) Number of Initiatives Percent 0% 4 6% 1‐20% 44 62% 21‐40% 12 17% 41‐60% 5 7% 61‐80% 1 1% Don't know 5 7% Total number of initiatives 71 Table 7c. Initiatives by Percent of Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander Population in Geographic Area Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander Population (not Hispanic or Latino) Number of Initiatives Percent 0% 44 62% 1‐20% 20 28% Don't know 7 10% Total number of initiatives 71 Table 7d. Initiatives by Percent of Hispanic or Latino Population in Geographic Area Hispanic or Latino Population Number of Initiatives Percent 0% 3 4% 1‐20% 46 65% 21‐40% 11 16% 41‐60% 6 9% Don't know 5 7% Total number of initiatives 71

Table 7e. Initiatives by Percent of Asian Population in Geographic Area Asian Population (not Hispanic or Latino) Number of Initiatives Percent 0% 12 17% 1‐20% 47 66% 21‐40% 3 4% 41‐60% 3 4% Don't know 6 9% Total number of initiatives 71 Table 7f. Initiatives by Percent of American Indian or Alaska Native Population in Geographic Area American Indian or Alaska Native (not Hispanic or Latino) Number of Initiatives Percent 0% 28 39% 1‐20% 35 49% 21‐40% 1 1% 41‐60% 1 1% Don't know 6 9% Total number of initiatives 71

Table 8 combines the U.S. population's distribution by race and ethnicity in 2008 with the findings of this study. Data from the U.S. Census Bureau in 2008 are compared with the percentages reported by the majority of the grassroots initiatives. A majority of the children and nature initiatives are in geographic areas where the Asian, Black, and Hispanic or Latino populations are between 1‐20% of the population. Nearly 40% of the initiatives are underway in geographic areas where 61‐80% of the population is white. These statistics are comparable to the U.S. race and ethnicity distributions reported by the U.S. Census Bureau. Table 8. Race and Ethnicity Distribution in U.S. Compared with Majority of Grassroots Initiatives Race and Ethnicity

White alone

75.0%

61‐80%

Hispanic or Latino ethnicity, of any race

15.4%

1‐20%

Black or African American alone

12.4%

1‐20%

Asian alone

4.4%

1‐20%

American Indian or Alaska Native alone

0.8%

1‐20%

U.S. Population Majority of Grassroots Distribution Percentage* Initiatives

Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander alone

0.14%

*Source: US Census Bureau, 2008 American Community Survey 1‐Year Estimates

Income Level Distribution in Geographic Areas Served (Question 7). Between 25% and 30% of the respondents did not know the income level distribution of the populations in the geographic areas served by the children and nature initiatives. Tables 9a‐e display the known distributions of income level in the geographic areas served by the children and nature initiatives that responded to the questionnaire. Table 9. Income Level Distribution in Geographic Areas Served Table 9a. Initiatives by percent of population making $24,000 or less per year per family Population making $24,000 or less in geographic area Number of Initiatives 0% 3 1‐20% 28 21‐40% 17 41‐60% 3 81‐100% 1 Don't know 19 Total number of initiatives 71 Table 9b. Initiatives by percent of population making $24,001‐$45,000 per year per family Population making $24,001‐$45,000 in geographic area Number of Initiatives 1‐20% 15 21‐40% 27 41‐60% 11 Don't know 18 Total number of initiatives 71 Table 9c. Initiatives by percent of population making $45,001‐$90,000 per year per family Population making $45,001‐$90,000 in geographic area Number of Initiatives 0% 1 1‐20% 14 21‐40% 30 41‐60% 3 61‐80% 2 Don't know 21 Total number of initiatives 71 Table 9d. Initiatives by percent of population making $90,001‐$150,000 per year per family Population making $90,001‐$150,000 in geographic area Number of Initiatives 0% 4 1‐20% 40 21‐40% 3 41‐60% 3 Don't know 21 Total number of initiatives 71 15 © 2010 Children & Nature Network

Percent 4% 39% 24% 4% 1% 27%

Percent 21% 38% 16% 25%

Percent 1% 19% 42% 4% 3% 29%

Percent 6% 56% 4% 4% 30%

Table 9e. Initiatives by percent of population making $150,001 or more per year per family Population making $150,001 or more in geographic area Number of Initiatives 0% 6 1‐20% 39 21‐40% 3 61‐80% 1 81‐100% 1 Don't know 21 Total number of initiatives 71

Percent 8% 54% 4% 1% 1% 30%

A majority of the children and nature initiatives occur in geographic areas where income levels are distributed in the following range of percentages, which are similar to income statistics reported by the U.S. Census Bureau for 2005 (see Table 10.) • $24,000 or less: 1‐20% • $24,001‐$45,000: 21‐40% • $45,001‐$90,000: 21‐40% • $90,001‐$150,000: 1‐20% • $150,001 or more: 1‐20%

Table 10. Income Distribution in U.S. Compared with Majority of Grassroots Initiatives

Income Range

U.S. Income Distribution Percentage*

Income Range

Majority of Grassroots Initiatives

$0 to $25,000

28.22%

$24,000 or less

1‐20%

$25,000 to $50,000

26.65%

$24,001‐$45,000

21‐40%

$50,000 to $75,000

18.27%

$45,001‐$90,000

1‐20%

$75,000 to $100,000

10.93%

$100,000 to $149,999

9.89%

$90,001‐$150,000

1‐20%

$150,000 and above

5.84%

$150,001 or more

1‐20%

Methods of Communication Used (Questions 10‐17) Grassroots initiatives use a variety of communication methods. Data displayed in Chart 11 and Tables 12a‐d are based on questionnaire items 11, 13, 15 and 17 that asked respondents to estimate the numbers reached by various methods of communication. Note that response options with a frequency of zero are not included. Chart 11. Communication Methods Used Number of Grassroots Initiatives 0

Website

54 (75%)

Social networking tools

46 (64%)

E‐newsletter

Print newsletter

36 (50%)

21 (29%)

Three‐fourths of the children and nature initiatives have a website. During the month of September or October 2009, 25% of those with websites reported less than 500 unique visitors, although another 40% did not know their total number of unique visitors. Nearly two‐thirds (64%) are using social networking tools such as facebook and twitter and another 13% intended to use these tools soon. One half have electronic newsletters. Of those with electronic newsletters, more than one‐third (36%) distribute to fewer than 500 recipients, although for nearly that many (28%), the number of recipients is unknown. Only 29% have print newsletters.

Table 12. Numbers Reached by Communication Methods Used by Children and Nature Initiatives Table 12a. Website ‐ Number of unique visitors in the past month Response Options Number of Initiatives Less than 500 14 501‐1,000 6 1,001‐2,500 2 2,501‐5,000 4 5,001‐10,000 3 10,001‐20,000 2 20,001‐50,000 1 Unknown 22 Total number of initiatives responding 54 Table 12b. Social Networking Tools – Number of fans or followers Response options Number of Initiatives Less than 50 6 51‐100 9 101‐250 4 251‐500 3 501‐1,000 2 1,001‐2,500 1 2,501‐5,000 2 More than 10,001 1 Unknown 18 Total number of initiatives responding 46 Table 12c. E‐newsletter – Number on distribution list Response options Number of Initiatives Less than 500 12 501‐1,000 2 1,001‐2,500 2 2,501‐5,000 2 5,001‐10,000 4 10,001‐20,000 2 50,001‐100,000 1 Unknown 11 Total number of initiatives responding 36 Table 12d. Print Newsletter – Number on distribution list Response options Number of Initiatives Less than 500 3 501‐1,000 2 2,501‐5,000 1 5,001‐10,000 2 10,001‐20,000 1 20,001‐50,000 2 50,001‐100,000 1 Unknown 9 Total number of initiatives responding 21

Percent 19% 8% 3% 6% 4% 3% 2% 31%

Percent 8% 13% 6% 4% 3% 1% 3% 1% 39%

Percent 17% 3% 3% 3% 6% 3% 1% 15%

Percent 4% 3% 1% 3% 1% 3% 1% 13% 29%

Outputs, Activities and Participants Activities in the Last 12 Months (Question 18). In the last year more than half of the grassroots initiatives were engaged in at least one of the activities listed in the questionnaire. Nearly three‐ quarters of the initiatives provided networking meetings and children’s outdoor programs and events (74% and 71% respectively). Approximately two thirds provided media interviews (67%), capacity building (64%), exhibits or booths (61%), and organizational development activities (61%). More than half provided public lectures (57%), family events (56%) and professional workshops (53%). The activities and number/percentage of initiatives engaged in these activities appear in Chart 13. Chart 13. Reported Activities of Grassroots Initiatives in the Last Year 60 50

74% (53) 71% (51)

67% (48) 64% (46)

61% (44) 61% (44)

57% (41) 56% (40)

Number

40 30 20 10 0

Other reported grassroots activities undertaken in the last year include: • • • • • • • • •

Annual Summits Book Study of Last Child In the Woods for Teachers Butterfly Gardens in Grade Schools Children & Nature Statewide Summit Conference Coordinated Programs Provided by Our Collaborative Educator/Parent Trainings Elected Official, Congressional and Funders Meeting Fundraising 19 © 2010 Children & Nature Network

53% (38)

23% (16)

• • • • • •

Grant Submissions Grant Writing for Coalition Organization Nature Festivals Open House, Private Meetings Publications, News Column Related Research; Publishing; Other Education Products

Total Audience in the Last Year (Question 19). In the last year one‐fourth of the grassroots initiatives reached between 101 and 1000 participants and another quarter reached between 1001 and 5,000. The number and percentage of initiatives and the audience numbers reached are displayed in the Table 14 and Chart 15. A conservative estimate is that the total audience of participants reached by the respondents from the reporting sixty‐eight grassroots initiatives is between 900,000 and 1,500,000. Table 14. Estimated Participants Reached by Children and Nature Initiatives in the Last Year Response Options Less than 100 101‐1,000 1,001‐5,000 5,001‐10,000 10,001‐20,000 20,001‐50,000 50,001‐100,000 More than 100,001 Unknown Total number of initiatives responding

Number of Initiatives 6 17 17 6 2 4 5 4 7 68

Percent 8% 24% 24% 8% 3% 6% 7% 6% 10%

Chart 15. Estimated Participants Reached by Children & Nature Initiatives in the Last Year More than 100,001 50,001‐100,000 20,001‐50,000 10,001‐20,000 5,001‐10,000 1,001‐5,000 101‐1,000 Less than 100 0

Number of Children & Nature Initiatives

Underserved Youth Reached in the Last Year (Question 20). On the questionnaire respondents were asked to estimate the percentage of underserved youth who comprised their audiences. “Under‐ served” was defined as families under the poverty threshold as set by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (see http://aspe.hhs.gov/poverty/08Poverty.shtml.) Although a third of the children and nature initiatives do not know the number of underserved youth who were reached in the last year, the majority estimated their activities reached audiences comprised of between 1‐25% underserved youth. Table 16 displays the numbers and percentages of grassroots initiatives and the estimated percentage of underserved youth reached. Table 16. Underserved Youth Reached in the Last Year Percentage 0% 1‐10% 11‐25% 26%‐50% 51%‐75% Over 75% Don't know Total number of initiatives responding

Number of Initiatives 3 18 17 5 0 4 22 69

Percent of Total Respondents 4% 26% 25% 7% 0% 6% 32%

Percent with Known Underserved Youth Data 6% 38% 36% 11% 0% 9%

Distribution of Children and Nature Network Tools (Question 21). Nearly half of the grassroots initiatives used or distributed six of the seven of the C&NN Tools listed on the questionnaire. Power Point presentations were only used by 22% of the respondents, but each of the six other tools was used as resources by at least 43% of the grassroots initiatives. Chart 17 displays the numbers and percentages of grassroots initiatives and their use of C&NN tools. Of particular note is that nearly 70% of the initiatives used or distributed the research and studies available through C&NN. About half of the initiatives used the Report on the Movement to Re‐Connect Children with the Natural World, C&NN electronic newsletters, C&NN Community Action Guide, and the website news summaries. Nearly half of the grassroots initiatives reported using the Nature Clubs for Familiies Toolkit.

Chart 17. Children & Nature Network Tools Used Research and Studies

69% (50)

Report on the Movement to Re‐Connect Children with the Natural World

51% (37)

C&NN electronic newsletters

50% (36)

C&NN Community Action Guide

49% (35)

Website news summaries

49% (35)

Nature Clubs for Families Toolkit

43% (31)

Power Point Presentations

22% (16) 0

30 Number

Other tools listed as used and comments include the following: • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

C&NN Connect AND Movement Map C&NN Grass Roots Meeting General referral Link from our website to C&NN's Link to Connect Ning site Nature Circles, Webinar Nature Rocks Nature Rocks info Outdoor bill of rights, prescription for play Personal conversations with various CNN members The book mark Video produced for the C&NN the past two years Videos Ooh‐ I could use these!!! did not know about them

New Nature and Place‐based Efforts. (Questions 22 and 23). About a third of the grassroots initiatives reported that nature clubs for families, school gardens, natural play areas, and community gardens had been established since they started their activities. These nature and place‐based opportunities are displayed in the Table 18 with the number and percentage of initiatives. These findings indicate that at least 500 new nature and place‐based opportunities for children have been established in the areas served by these grassroots initiatives. 22 © 2010 Children & Nature Network

Table 18. New Nature and Place‐based Efforts Started by Children and Nature Initiatives Table 18a. Community Gardens Response Options None Less than 5 6‐10 11 or more Don’t know Table 18b. Natural Play Areas Response options None Less than 5 6‐10 11 or more Don’t know Table18c. Nature Clubs for Families Response options None Less than 5 6‐10 11 or more Don’t know Table 18d. School Gardens Response options None Less than 5 6‐10 11 or more Don’t know Total number of initiatives responding

Number of Initiatives 22 13 2 6 26

Percent 31% 18% 3% 8% 36%

Number of Initiatives 13 24 2 3 27

Percent 18% 33% 3% 4% 38%

Number of Initiatives 23 16 1 2 27

Percent 32% 22% 1% 3% 38%

Number of Initiatives 14 17 6 8 24 69

Percent 19% 24% 8% 11% 33%

Respondents listed they had initiated the following other new children and nature activities. • • • • • • • • • • •

3 nature play areas in design and funding stage, funding search for 12 more After‐school workshop/training, great American campout and events Because of recent conference, expect to see more Quests, school gardens, trails, and Family Nature Clubs. Also have a Natural Leaders program for teens and May We Do Science? program for schools after testing in May. Childcare center outdoor play and learning areas is a relatively large statewide target beyond #4 level. Estimate over 200 in last 10 years. Communicating the value of connecting children with nature to the network Creating Green Ribbon Schools/communities; family skill‐building and adventure events; media campaign Early Ed Curriculum; Lobbying for NCLI; Produced educational DVD and music; Media; Festivals & Fairs, Conference Speaking; Sitting on committees; Coordination Ecological restoration on conservancy land with students, teachers, parents and community members. Family Nature Nights ‐hosted at local schools with hands‐on activities to help re‐connect children and their families with nature. Family workshops on environmental subjects; service learning programs for youth Most of our efforts have been directed at coordinating collaborative programs and events aimed at getting children outside. 23 © 2010 Children & Nature Network

• • • • • • • •

• • • • •

• •

• • • •

Nature trails Our efforts are not specifically tied to a network. We are focused on encouraging communities to form their own network and to raise awareness around the issue. Outdoor Family Events Park Pals‐a program about nature for preschoolers; Farm animal programs...helping kids understand where their food really comes from Play for moms with babes under 2‐ commercial free childhood and healthy school food projects Ski club, Skateboarding & Snowboarding Club, Boat Building, Sailing, Fly Fishing, camping, Hiking and back packing. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Department of Education and Department of Health are all partners and have programs in this area; we support and encourage them. The Museum has developed an outdoor space for learning through natural play. All visiting school groups will be introduced to the space and permitted to come for free with a family pass. In the next year, we will reach over 3000 students, a large percent from low‐income schools and who get free field trips to the Museum. In the last three years, we have taken over 6,500 students into a natural space as part of our field experiences. This is an afterschool club that meets daily and they have a community garden as a part of the program. We also have contributed to the increase of trainings (tree inventory trainings, earth force, Wild about Early Learners, etc.), earth day activities, usage of parks and other recreational areas, nature and outdoor programs and festivals. We are in our capacity building phase and currently developing our membership registration and user‐generated mapping website. Much of our effort this year has gone into strategic planning, fundraising, board development and website development. 2010 will see the launch of our membership campaign across Canada. We are just getting started but we have lots of individual efforts happening‐ trying to get our arms around everything to become one voice! Just had soft launch Oct. 14 and will have major media launch, Research Center groundbreaking and annual conference March 2010 We are just getting the Coalition organized and will start holding working group meetings in November 2010. We have been recruiting members of the working groups and have received an excellent response. We are focused on fulfilling the tasks laid out in the Governor's Executive Order, which created the Coalition. I expect our activities to ramp up in 2010. We have built 3 Butterfly gardens in grade schools and will finish the other 10 in the spring, we are beginning work on family nature clubs, we are also developing advocates, promoting the concept of a wellness campus which will be a collaborative community program with the Schools and City. We have started a cross cultural, cross district share my schoolyard pilot program. We anticipate school gardens, natural play areas, and community gardens forming as a result of this initiative. We are also continuing to survey all of the schools in Kalamazoo to then initiate discussion with the principals regarding how their schoolyards are presently utilized. Website with information on natural play areas distributed to long list of people. Work with others like 4‐H and Local First Worked with public school system to provide one month of summer nature activities for at‐risk schools; promoted child‐friendly backyards via contest/media Working with pre‐service teachers and in‐service teachers to provide them with the skills and comfort to take children outside.

Audiences Reached by New Efforts (Question 24 and 25). Although 30% of the respondents are unsure of the size of the audiences reached by their new activities, 48 grassroots initiatives reported the total audience numbers participating in new nature clubs for families, school gardens, natural play areas, and community gardens is at least 305,000 and may be as large as half a million. More than three‐quarters of the initiatives that knew their participant numbers reported reaching between 101 and 5,000 participants with their new children and nature activities and opportunities. Estimated number of participants appears in Table 19 and Chart 20. 24 © 2010 Children & Nature Network

Table 19. Participant Numbers Reached by New Children and Nature Activities and Opportunities including Nature Clubs for Families, School Gardens, Natural Play Areas, and Community Gardens Number of Initiatives

Percent of Total Respondents

Percent with Known Participant Numbers

Less than 100

101‐1,000

26%

1,001‐5,000

26%

5,001‐10,000

10,001‐20,000

20,001‐50,000

50,001‐100,000

More than 100,001

Unknown Total number of initiatives responding

21 69

30%

Response Options

38% 38% 6%

Chart 20. Participant Numbers Reached by New Children and Nature Activities and Opportunities including Nature Clubs for Families, School Gardens, Natural Play Areas, and Community Gardens

more than 100001 50001‐100000 20001 ‐ 50000 10001‐20000 5001‐10,000 1001‐5000 101‐1000 less than 100 0

Number of Children & Nature Initiatives

In Table 21 the four new children and nature activities and opportunities are broken down by the estimates of total audience reached. Although approximately a third of the respondents are unsure of the size of the audiences reached by their new activities, a range of participants can be calculated for those grassroots initiatives that knew their audience numbers. Table 22 displays estimates of the range of audience numbers reached by these new children and nature activities and opportunities. The number of participants in community gardens is at least 180,000 and may be as large as 360,000 or more. The total audience reached in natural play areas is at least 248,000 and may be as large as 500,000 or more. The number of participants in nature clubs for families is at least 172,000 and may be as large as 320,000 or more. Total for school gardens activities and opportunities is at least 293,000 and may be as large as 530,000 or more. Table 21. Cross Tabulations of New Children and Nature Activities and Opportunities with Estimates of Total Audience Reached Since your initiative began, approximately how many nature clubs, school gardens, natural play areas and community gardens have been established in your region, either directly or indirectly, as a result of your efforts? (please provide an answer in each row): Community Gardens

None Less than 5 six to ten 11 or more Don't know

Number of Community Gardens 22 13 2 6 26

What do you estimate as the total audience reached by these new initiatives? (check one) More Less than 101 ‐ 1001 ‐ 5001 ‐ 10,001 ‐ 20,001 ‐ 50,001 ‐ Un‐ than 100 1000 5000 10,000 20,000 50,000 100,000 known 100,001 4 18 18 3 2 0 1 2 21 3 8 6 1 0 0 0 0 4 0 7 5 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 1 2 0 1 1 0 1 3 5 1 0 0 0 1 15

Natural Play Areas Number of Natural Play Areas None Less than 5 six to ten 11 or more Don't know

13 24 2 3 27

What do you estimate as the total audience reached by these new initiatives? (check one) More Less than 101 ‐ 1001 ‐ 5001 ‐ 10,001 ‐ 20,001 ‐ 50,001 ‐ than 100 1000 5000 10,000 20,000 50,000 100,000 100,001 4 18 18 3 2 0 1 2 3 3 2 1 0 0 1 0 0 11 10 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 2 1 4 5 1 0 0 0 0

Un‐ known 21 3 1 1 0 16

Nature Clubs for Families None Less than 5 six to ten 11 or more Don't know

Number of Nature Clubs for Families 23 16 1 2 27

What do you estimate as the total audience reached by these new initiatives? (check one) More Less than 101 ‐ 1001 ‐ 5001 ‐ 10,001 ‐ 20,001 ‐ 50,001 ‐ than 100 1000 5000 10,000 20,000 50,000 100,000 100,001 4 18 18 3 2 0 1 2 2 11 6 1 0 0 0 0 1 4 6 1 1 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 2 5 1 1 0 0 1

Un‐ known 21 3 2 0 0 16

School Gardens Number of School Gardens None Less than 5 six to ten 11 or more Don't know Total number of initiatives

14 17 6 8 24

What do you estimate as the total audience reached by these new initiatives? (check one) More Less than 101 ‐ 1001 ‐ 5001 ‐ 10,001 ‐ 20,001 ‐ 50,001 ‐ than 100 1000 5000 10,000 20,000 50,000 100,000 100,001 4 18 18 3 2 0 1 2 3 5 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 8 7 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 2 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 3 1 1 0 1 2 1 3 3 1 0 0 0 0

Un‐ known 21 3 1 1 0 16

Table 22. Estimate of Audience Numbers Reached by 4 New Children and Nature Activities and Opportunities Community Gardens Lower Range Upper Range 180,000 360,000 Natural Play Areas Lower Range Upper Range 248,000 500,000 Nature Clubs for Families Lower Range Upper Range 172,000 320,000 School Gardens Lower Range Upper Range 293,000 530,000 The percentage of underserved youth who participated in these new activities and opportunities ranges from none to 75%. Numbers and percentages of underserved youth reached are presented in Table 23. Although more than 40% (28) of the grassroots initiatives are unsure of the percentage of underserved youth reached by their new initiatives, 60% (41) reported data about underserved youth. Of those grassroots initiatives that knew the number of underserved youth, more than a third (34%) reached audiences comprised of between 1‐10% underserved youth. Nearly a quarter of the initiatives reached participants that included between 11‐25% underserved youth. New children and nature activities and opportunities offered by another 15% reached audiences that included between 51 to 75% underserved youth. In at least four new activities and opportunities, at least 75% of the audiences were underserved youth.

Table 23. Underserved Youth Reached by New Children and Nature Activities and Opportunities including Nature Clubs for Families, School Gardens, Natural Play Areas, and Community Gardens Percentage 0% 1‐10% 11‐25% 26%‐50% 51%‐75% Over 75% Don't know Total number of initiatives responding

Number of Initiatives 6 14 9 6 2 4 28 69

Percent of Total Respondents 9% 20% 13% 9% 3% 6% 41% 100%

Percent with Known Underserved Youth Data

15% 34% 22% 15% 5% 10%

The breakdown of underserved youth reached by the four new children and nature activities and opportunities is reported in Table 24. Since respondents could check all that apply in the question about these four options, their reported audience numbers and underserved youth may have been counted for more than one of these activities. Thus it would not be appropriate to total the numbers reported in Table 24. Table 24. Estimate of Number of Underserved Youth Reached by 4 New Children and Nature Activities and Opportunities Community Gardens Lower Range 45,250

Upper Range 176,600 Natural Play Areas

Lower Range 87,500

Upper Range 316,100 Nature Clubs for Families

Lower Range 20,750

Upper Range 110,750 School Gardens

Lower Range 89,000

Upper Range 401,500

Outcomes Observed Changes (Question 26). In response to the question about which of 8 changes have been observed since their children and nature initiatives started, 85% of the questionnaire respondents saw at least one. Most grassroots initiatives reported partnerships with new allies, followed by 74% who reported community support, and 71% each reported media attention and increased awareness of the importance of nature for children’s healthy development. More than half the grassroots initiatives 28 © 2010 Children & Nature Network

reported an increased number participating in events and programs. At least a third of the initiatives reported increases in funding, the engagement of pediatricians and others in the medical community, and the number of children playing outdoors. Percentages reporting these changes appear in Chart 25. Chart 25. Changes as a Result of Children & Nature Initiatives

Partnership with new allies

85% (61)

Community support

74% (53)

Increased awareness of the importance of nature for children's healthy development

71% (51)

Media attention

71% (51)

Increased number of people participating in events and programs

54% (39)

Increased funding for the children and nature initiative

36% (26)

Engagement of pediatricians and others in the medical community

33% (24)

Increased number of children playing outdoors

33% (24) 0

Number of Initiatives

Key Findings of Statistical Analyses Relationships or correlations between characteristics of the grassroots children and nature initiatives and several questionnaire items were analyzed using nonparametric inferential statistical analyses including Kendall’s tau, Spearman’s rho, and regression. Statistically significant degrees of association (p<.05) emerged in comparisons of these sets of data. These results do not mean that one characteristic caused the other; merely that a strong relationship exists between the two sets of characteristics. •

Year grassroots initiatives formed (question 3) compared to grassroots activities (question 18). This finding indicates the earlier the grassroots initiatives formed, the more grassroots activities an initiative is likely to have engaged in during the past 12 months. Conversely, the later a grassroots initiative formed, the fewer activities it is likely to have engaged in during the

•

last 12 months. Said another way, grassroots initiatives that engaged in few activities during the last 12 months are more likely to have been formed in the last year or two. Year grassroots initiatives formed (question 3) compared to total audience in the last 12 months (question 19). This association indicates the earlier the grassroots initiative formed, the larger the estimate of the total audience reached in the past 12 months is likely to be. In contrast, grassroots initiatives that reported smaller total audience numbers during the last 12 months are more likely to have been formed in the last year or two. Grassroots activities (question 18) compared to use of social networking tools (question 16). The correlation indicates that the larger the number of grassroots activities engaged in during the last 12 months, the greater the likelihood is that an initiative uses social networking tools such as facebook and twitter. Alternatively, if social networking tools are not used, the number of grassroots activities is likely to be smaller over the last 12 months. Grassroots activities (question 18) compared to use of C&NN tools (question 21). The finding points to the conclusion that the larger the number of grassroots activities engaged in during the last 12 months, the larger the number of C&NN tools used or distributed is likely to be. This strong relationship also indicates that the fewer the number of C&NN tools used or distributed, the smaller the number of grassroots activities likely to have been engaged in during the last 12 months. Grassroots activities (question 18) compared to changes seen (question 26). The relationship indicates that the larger the number of grassroots activities engaged in during the last 12 months, the greater the number of changes likely to be seen since the start of the children and nature initiative. Conversely, the smaller the number of grassroots activities engaged in during the last 12 months, the fewer changes are likely to be seen as a direct or indirect result since the start of the children and nature initiative. Changes seen (question 26) compared to percent of minority (non‐white) populations in the geographic area (question 6). The results show the larger the number of observed changes resulting since the start of the children and nature initiative, the larger the percent of minority (non‐white) populations is likely to be in the geographic area. On the other hand, the smaller the minority population in a geographic area, the fewer changes are likely to be seen as a direct or indirect result since the start of the children and nature initiative. The reader is reminded that approximately two thirds of the children and nature initiatives are in geographic areas where the Asian, Black, and Hispanic or Latino populations are between 1‐20% of the population. More than two thirds of the initiatives are underway in geographic areas where 61‐ 100% of the population is white. These statistics are comparable to the U.S. race and ethnicity distributions reported by the U.S. Census Bureau for 2008.

Appendix

Grassroots Leadership 2009 Survey © Children & Nature Network. All rights reserved. Please contact Cheryl Charles, Ph.D., President and CEO, Children & Nature Network, Cheryl@childrenandnature.org, for permission to use this survey. Support for development of this survey, analysis and reporting was provided by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation.

Page 1 - Heading

The Grassroots Leadership survey is multiple choice and should only take a few minutes of your time to complete. Either "check one," "check all that apply," or fill in the blanks. If you do not complete this survey in one sitting, remember to SAVE YOUR ANSWERS by selecting the "Submit" button at the bottom of the page.

Page 1 - Question 1 - Open Ended - One Line

[Mandatory]

Name of your grassroots children and nature initiative: (fill in the blank)

Page 1 - Question 2 - Choice - One Answer (Bullets)

[Mandatory]

What is your organization structure? (check the one that most applies) Single agency or organization sponsor Informal collaborative of organizations, agencies and individuals Formal collaborative of organizations, agencies and individuals Other, please specify

Page 1 - Question 3 - Choice - One Answer (Bullets)

When was your children and nature initiative formed? (check one) 2005 or earlier 2006 2007 2008 2009

[Mandatory]

Page 1 - Question 4 - Choice - Multiple Answers (Bullets)

[Mandatory]

What best describes the geographic area you serve? (check all that apply) Neighborhoods Suburban Area Rural Area City Metropolitan Area County/Parish Multi-county State Province Multi State/Multi Province Nation Tribal Nation Other, please specify

Page 2 - Heading

Page 2 of 5 If you do not complete this survey in one sitting, remember to SAVE YOUR ANSWERS by selecting the "Submit" button at the bottom of the page.

Page 2 - Heading

What can you tell us about the demographics of your region? [We know that this may take a little research on your part, but the information would be very helpful to us! Wikipedia is a good source of demographic information - search for your geographic region and use “demographics” as a key word.] http://en.wikipedia.org/

Page 2 - Question 5 - Choice - One Answer (Bullets)

Approximately what is the population of the geographic area you serve with your children and nature initiative? (check one) 10,000 or less 10,001 to 25,000 25,001 to 50,000 50,001 to 100,000 100,001 – 500,000 500,001 – 1,000,000 1,000,001 – 5,000,000 5,000,001 to 10,000,000 10,000,001 or more

[Mandatory]

Page 2 - Question 6 - Rating Scale - Matrix

[Mandatory]

Percent of Population by Race/Ethnicity (Please check one in each row below)

1- 20%

21 - 40%

41 - 60%

61 - 80%

> 8 0 %

Don't Know

W h i t e ( n o t H i s p a n i c o r L a t i n o ) Black or African American (not Hispanic or Latino) Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander (not Hispanic or Latino) H i s p a n i c o r L a t i n o A s i a n ( n o t H i s p a n i c o r L a t i n o ) American Indian or Alaska Native (not Hispanic or Latino) Page 2 - Question 7 - Rating Scale - Matrix

[Mandatory]

Percent of Population by Income Level (Please check one in each row below)

1- 20%

21 - 40%

41 - 60%

61 - 80%

> 8 0 %

Don't Know

$24,000 or less per year per family $24,001 to $45,000 per year per family $45,001 to $90,000 per year per family $90,001 to $150,000 per year per family $150,001 or more per year per family

Page 2 - Question 8 - Rating Scale - Matrix

[Mandatory]

Percent of Population by Age Group (Please check one in each row below)

B i r t h t o u n d e r f i v e y e a r s F i v e t o n i n e y e a r s T e n t o 1 4 y e a r s 1 5 t o 1 9 y e a r s

1- 20%

21 - 40%

41 - 60%

61 - 80%

> 8 0 %

Don't Know

Page 3 - Heading

Page 3 of 5

If you do not complete this survey in one sitting, remember to SAVE YOUR ANSWERS by selecting the "SUBMIT" button at the bottom of the page.

Page 3 - Question 9 - Choice - One Answer (Bullets)

[Mandatory]

Does your children and nature initiative have a website? (check one) Yes No Page 3 - Question 10 - Open Ended - One Line

If yes, what is the URL? (fill in the blank)

Page 3 - Question 11 - Choice - One Answer (Bullets)

If "Yes," how many “unique visitors” (a statistic used to count each individual who visits a Web site during a specific time period) did you have in the past month? (check one) Note: if you do not currently have a tool to measure this, you may want to use Google Analytics, a free tool that measures the effectiveness of your website. Less than 500 501-1,000 1,001-2,500 2,501-5,000 5,001 to 10,000 10,001 to 20,000 20,001 to 50,000 50,001 to 100,000 More than 100,001 Unknown Page 3 - Question 12 - Choice - One Answer (Bullets)

Do you have an electronic newsletter? (check one) Yes No Page 3 - Question 13 - Choice - One Answer (Bullets)

[Mandatory]

20,001 to 50,000 50,001 to 100,000 More than 100,001 Unknown Page 3 - Question 14 - Choice - One Answer (Bullets)

[Mandatory]

Do you have a print newsletter? (check one) Yes No Page 3 - Question 15 - Choice - One Answer (Bullets)

If yes, how many people are on your distribution list? (check one) Less than 500 501-1,000 1,001-2,500 2,501-5,000 5,001 to 10,000 10,001 to 20,000 20,001 to 50,000 50,001 to 100,000 More than 100,001 Unknown Page 3 - Question 16 - Choice - One Answer (Bullets)

Are you using other social networking tools such as facebook and twitter. (check all that apply) Yes No Other, please specify

Page 3 - Question 17 - Choice - One Answer (Bullets)

If yes, how many facebook fans do you have or followers on twitter or other social media sites? (check one) Less than 50 51-100 101-250 251-500 501 – 1000 1001 – 2500 2501 – 5000 5001 – 10,000 10,001 or more Unknown

[Mandatory]

Page 4 - Heading

Page 4 of 5 If you do not complete this survey in one sitting, remember to SAVE YOUR ANSWERS by selecting the "SUBMIT" button at the bottom of the page.

Page 4 - Question 18 - Choice - Multiple Answers (Bullets)

[Mandatory]

In the past twelve months, in which of the following activities has your grassroots initiative engaged. (check all that apply) Capacity building Children’s outdoor programs/events Exhibits/booths Family events Media interviews Networking meetings Organizational development Professional workshops Public lectures Other, please specify

Page 4 - Question 19 - Choice - One Answer (Bullets)

[Mandatory]

What do you estimate as the total audience reached by your activities in the past 12 months? (check one) Less than 100 101 - 1000 1001 - 5000 5001 - 10,000 10,001 to 20,000 20,001 to 50,000 50,001 to 100,000 More than 100,001 Unknown Page 4 - Question 20 - Choice - One Answer (Bullets)

Of the children served in the previous question, approximately what percentage is under-served youth? (check one) Note: For purposes of this survey, “under-served” is defined as families under the poverty threshold as set by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. http://aspe.hhs.gov/poverty/08Poverty.shtml 0% 1 - 10% 11 - 25% 26 - 50% 51 - 75% over 75% Don't Know

[Mandatory]

Page 4 - Question 21 - Choice - Multiple Answers (Bullets)

[Mandatory]

Which of the following Children & Nature Network Tools have you used or distributed? (check all that apply) C&NN electronic newsletters C&NN Community Action Guide C&NN Report on the Movement to Re-Connect Children with the Natural World Power Point Presentations Nature Clubs for Families Toolkit Research and Studies Website news summaries None Other, please specify

Page 4 - Question 22 - Rating Scale - Matrix

[Mandatory]

Since your initiative began, approximately how many nature clubs, school gardens, natural play areas and community gardens have been established in your region, either directly or indirectly, as a result of your efforts? (please provide an answer in each row)

Less than 5

1 0

11 or more

Don't know

C o m m u n i t y G a r d e n s N a t u r a l P l a y A r e a s N a t u r e C l u b s f o r F a m i l i e s S c h o o l G a r d e n s O t h e r ( p l e a s e s p e c i f y b e l o w )

Page 4 - Question 23 - Open Ended - Comments Box

Describe other efforts:

Page 4 - Question 24 - Choice - One Answer (Bullets)

What do you estimate as the total audience reached by these new initiatives? (check one) Less than 100 101 - 1000 1001 - 5000 5001 - 10,000 10,001 - 20,000 20,001 - 50,000 50,001 - 100,000 More than 100,001 Unknown

[Mandatory]

Page 4 - Question 25 - Choice - One Answer (Bullets)

[Mandatory]

What percentage of the children participating in these new initiatives is under-served? (check one) Note: For purposes of this survey, “under-served” is defined as families under the poverty threshold as set by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. http://aspe.hhs.gov/poverty/08Poverty.shtml 0% 1 - 10% 11 - 25% 26 - 50% 51 - 75% Over 75% Don't Know Page 4 - Question 26 - Choice - Multiple Answers (Bullets)

[Mandatory]

Since your children and nature initiative began, which of the following changes have you seen as a direct or indirect result? (check all that apply) Community support Engagement of pediatricians and others in the medical community Increased awareness of the importance of nature for children’s healthy development Increased number of children playing outdoors Increased number of people participating in events and programs Increased funding for the children and nature initiative Media attention Partnerships with new allies None Other, please specify

Page 5 - Heading

Page 5 of 5 If you do not complete this survey in one sitting, remember to SAVE YOUR ANSWERS by selecting the "SUBMIT" button at the bottom of the page.

Page 5 - Heading

Your Name and Organization

Page 5 - Question 27 - Open Ended - One Line

[Mandatory]

Email Address:

Page 5 - Question 28 - Open Ended - One Line

First Name:

[Mandatory]

Page 5 - Question 29 - Open Ended - One Line

[Mandatory]

Last Name:

Page 5 - Question 30 - Open Ended - One Line

Organization:

Thank You Page

We thank you for taking time to complete this survey. Having this information as a starting point will help us to track the tangible success of the movement to reconnect children and nature. Your completion of this survey indicates that you agree to have the information you provided be compiled into the report of these survey results. Please print your survey responses for your records. Thank you! Click here to visit our web site: www.childrenandnature.org <http://www.childrenandnature.org/>

[Mandatory]