Involving Children in Nature

Are we doing enough to educate our children to be good conservationists and to get them outdoors and into the natural world?

Join the and a panel of state and regional experts for a discussion of the issue at a community forum from 7:00 to 9:00pm, Thursday, April 12, at the CAS Center at Fairfield, 2325 Burr St., Fairfield, Ct.

The forum is free and open to the public but space is limited. RSVP to tandersen@ctaudubon.org.

Connecticut Audubon Society’s recently-released Connecticut State of the Birds 2012 report – titled “Where Is the Next Generation of Conservationists Coming From?” – will serve as the basis for the discussion.  

The report found that unless our schools, environmental organizations and government agencies put more effort into outdoor and environmental education, the next generation will not have the connection to the natural world necessary to continue essential conservation work. A summary of Connecticut State of the Birds 2012, and the report itself, can be found at www.Ctaudubon.org.

The forum will consist of a round-table discussion led by Milan Bull, senior director of science and conservation for Connecticut Audubon Society.

The panel will also include:

• Michelle Eckman, director of education for CAS;
• Pamela Iacono, chair of the Fairfield Board of Education;
• David Brant, executive director of the Aspetuck Land Trust;
• Tom Ellbogen, director of the Webb Mountain Discovery Zone, in Monroe;
• Mary Hogue, former president of the Fairfield PTA Council;
• Caroline Hron Weigle, a student at Masuk High School in Monroe who volunteers for Connecticut Audubon Society’s Animal Care program;
• Laura Magnotta, program director for the Wakeman Boys and Girls Club.

The forum is the second of four CAS is organizing this spring. The first was at Connecticut Audubon Society’s Center at Glastonbury, on March 14. On May 3, we will hold a forum at our Milford Point Coastal Center; the final forum will May 10 at our Grassland Bird Conservation Center at Pomfret.