Kids and nature

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About Kids and nature

Come show pics of kids communing with nature! Any kids, any nature.

This group is now Invite only, but I'm happy to invite/accept requests from anyone whose interests are on the up-and-up. I'm not a shoot-first kind of person with very many things, but with my son (and I'm assuming others who post pics here would agree), I wholeheartedly am. So ... if you've got a stream full of nudity/otherwise creepy pics (yeah, creepy as defined by me; deal); or if you fave inappropriate pics; or if you are a member of kids groups but also scads of sex groups; or if you have no pics of your own (or no pics pertinent to the group theme); or any other sliminess ... you are kindly invited to move along. Anyone else, welcome aboard.

I'm a nature and science journalist, wildlife lover and mom. The three roles have recently coalesced as I’ve noticed a shift in attitudes toward nature and have begun interviewing experts on the issue. I was moved and enlightened by works such as Richard Louv’s Last Child in the Woods and his article, The Nature Child Reunion, in The National Wildlife Federation's National Wildlife Magazine. His basic premise is a very strong argument that kids suffer what he calls "Nature Deficit Disorder" and that, for a host of reasons both affecting the world and individual children, it's crucial we rectify this. I agree wholeheartedly, and my mission is to write a volume chronicling efforts around the overly-connected country and world to do this.

I have explored the Arizona wilderness, in particular the Sonoran Desert, since my family moved here in 1985. Back then, it was what everyone did – impromptu hikes, studying lizards up-close, crawling the desert floor on our hands and knees to better know our neighbors. Naturally, when my son (now 5) was born, I introduced him to this awe-inspiring world. I couldn’t wait to share stories and pictures about our adventures. The response when I did, however, astounded me. What was he doing out in the dirt? Mucking around like that? Hadn’t I seen the newest indoor playground? What would I force him to do next? (Incidentally, there is no “forcing” necessary, except perhaps when it’s time to go home.)

I would like to see here photos of other parents who are "reckless" or "crazy" enough to muck around with their kids in the wilderness and outdoors. I'd love to correspond, and discover what drives you and your little nature lovers -- or just see a few great photos. Come show 'em off!