Connecting Children With Nature: Apache Trout in the Classroom Jennifer Johnson Arizona Fish & Wildlife Conservation Office U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

“If we don’t connect people with nature, nothing else we do matters.” Our Role “If we don’t connect people with nature, nothing else we do matters.” Dale Hall, Former Director U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service While our other 5 priorities emphasize our scientific and natural resources management work, Former Director Dale Hall, often reminded us that if we do not find ways to connect American people with nature, thereby creating tomorrow’s conservationists, all the other work could be in vain.

In the past 20 years, time playing outside has been cut in half. The Disconnect – Nature-Deficit Disorder In the past 20 years, time playing outside has been cut in half. -Less active -Less interested

Internet, Video Games, Electronic Media Why the Disconnect? Internet, Video Games, Electronic Media Paul, a fourth –grader in San Diego says “I like to play indoors better, ‘cause that’s where all the electrical outlets are”

Evidence of the Disconnect In your lifetime would have ever imagined that… According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, today’s children spend an average of 7.5 hours a day using media – including TV, computers, and mp3 players. Over a 7 day week kids log in around 53 hours of media use – more than a full time job worth of input. American children would spend 7.5 hours a day in front of the television or computer? American children would spend 53 hours over 7 days with media?

Internet, Video Games, Electronic Media Stranger Danger Why the Disconnect? Internet, Video Games, Electronic Media Stranger Danger The Internet Traffic & Lack of Space Many parents are concerned about strangers harming children in public places, but the stark reality is that kids may be safer playing outdoors than at home surfing the internet. Although the risk of stranger abduction is very remote, and stranger danger incidents have actually decreased over the last 20 years, many parents and caregivers have decided that it is just too dangerous for children to be outside on their own – especially if the child is out of sight.

2007 1979 1950 1919 Children have fewer outdoor places to play in general today. A recent report tracked the space that children were allowed to roam over four generations. As an 8 year old in 1919, the great-grandfather was allowed to roam for 6 miles unaccompanied. In 2007, his 8 year old great grandson could only go 300 yards from home on his own. In fact, the space that children have to roam around freely has decreased by 88% since 1970.

Internet, Video Games, Electronic Media Stranger Danger Why the Disconnect? Internet, Video Games, Electronic Media Stranger Danger Traffic & Lack of Space Liability The Overscheduled Child Even in areas where children are allowed to play, many of their activities have been severely limited by fears of liability for injuries. Homeowner’s associations often prevent kids from participating in traditional ways in nature – fort building, playing in ditches, and digging in the dirt to make mud pies. In some outdoor summer camps, children aren’t allowed to climb trees. Many children’s lives are way over-scheduled, and like adults they are involved in too many activities. The American Academy of Pediatrics warns that over scheduling of children is becoming the “culture and even expectation of parents” . Parents enroll children in activities early so they can excel at academics, athletics or other specialties. Today’s children are feeling more stress, more anxiety, and more pressure to be perfect. From piano lessons to soccer practice, many of today’s kids shuttle back and forth from activity to activity and have very few chances for outdoor play.

A Health Crisis In your lifetime would have ever imagined that… Incredibly, children are now actually gaining weight over summer break, a time most often associated with outdoor activities like swimming, hiking, and simply playing outside. Children would gain weight over summer break?

A Health Crisis Doctors warn for the first time in American history, life expectancy may actually decrease because of the health impacts of the current childhood obesity epidemic. Recent studies have shown Between 1985 and 1995 Type 2 diabetes in children and adolescents skyrocketed from 1% of all childhood diabetes 17%. Some places 30-40% of cases are type 2. Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder 70% of US children and adolescents have insufficient levels of vitamin D, which can cause rickets and eventually lead to osteoporosis. The body must receive 10-15 minutes of sunlight exposure twice a week to produce the necessary amount of vitamin D. Childhood obesity rates have risen four-fold since 1971 Type 2 diabetes (“adult-onset”) in children has skyrocketed The number of children on prescription medication for ADHD increased 100-fold in less than 50 years The number of prescriptions of antidepressants for children has doubled in the last five years 70% of children have insufficient levels of vitamin D

Wabash IN Maximum Security Prison “Free the Kids” Wabash IN Maximum Security Prison Persil (laundry detergent) questioned over 12,000 parents of children between the ages of 5 and 12 years old in 10 different countries, including the US found almost 1/3 of children play outside for just 30 minutes or less a day. “Free the kids” takes you inside Indiana’s Wabash Maximum security prison. Video highlights that prison inmates, the people with the least freedom in the world, spend more time outside than children spend outside playing today.

Wabash IN Maximum Security Prison “Free the Kids” Wabash IN Maximum Security Prison Persil (laundry detergent) questioned over 12,000 parents of children between the ages of 5 and 12 years old in 10 different countries, including the US found almost 1/3 of children play outside for just 30 minutes or less a day. “Free the kids” takes you inside Indiana’s Wabash Maximum security prison. Video highlights that prison inmates, the people with the least freedom in the world, spend more time outside than children spend outside playing today.

Our Role “As a matter of policy, the conservation services should view the child-in-nature as an endangered species, an indicator species of the future – because if the young are not bonding with nature now, who will care about refuges in the future”? -Richard Louv, 2007

Warmwater 10 Wild Fish Data Collection Activities Field Trip Roundtail Chub in the Classroom 1 School, Pre-K to 3rd , ~50 students, 2010-11 Warmwater 10 Wild Fish Data Collection Activities Field Trip Children aren’t going outside, what to do? Bring nature inside to them!

Apache Trout in the Classroom 4 classrooms (~200+ students) 2012-13 1st & 6th Grade – Seven Mile Elem. (Tribal-FAIR) K – 3rd – White Mountain Montessori 7th grade – Blue Ridge Middle School

4-5 Apache Trout ~4-6 inches Hatchery Guide, Materials Activities Apache Trout in the Classroom 4 classrooms (~200+ students) 2012-13 4-5 Apache Trout ~4-6 inches Hatchery Guide, Materials Activities

Discovery Learning Camp Discovery Learning Camp Apache Trout in the Classroom 9 classrooms - 2012-2016 Discovery Learning Camp Endangered Species Discovery Learning Camp Endangered Species Alchesay High 145+ students a day Pre K-4th - White Mountain Montessori Biology - Alchesay High School (FAIR) 4th grade - Seven Mile Elementary (FAIR)

White Mountain Nature Center Apache Trout in the Classroom Release? White Mountain Nature Center

$1,000 initial equipment (X4) $300 tank/year maintenance Staff time Apache Trout in the Classroom Summary Participation 6 years 4 schools 14 classrooms (8 FAIR) ~1,000 students Costs $1,000 initial equipment (X4) $300 tank/year maintenance Staff time

“In the end, we will conserve only what we love “In the end, we will conserve only what we love. We will love only what we understand. We will understand only what we are taught.” -Baba Dioum, Senegalese Conservationist