Bright Ideas
AZA Announces a Webinar Series on Family Nature Play
December 1, 2015
Janice Swaisgood
Natural Start is a proud partner of the Association of Zoos and Aquarium’s Nature Play Begins at your Zoo and Aquarium project that aims to connect families to nature through play. The project has funded the creation of family nature play programs across the US, linking zoos and aquariums to other community partners to develop new opportunities to engage families with nature.
As part of the Nature Play Begins at your Zoo and Aquarium project, AZA will be offering a series of free webinars on family nature play. While the webinars are designed with a zoo and aquarium educator audience in mind, environmental educators are welcome to join in.
December Webinar:
Making the Case for Family Nature Play
Thinking about offering family nature play at your zoo/aquarium? Attend this free webinar on December 15th at 3pm ET to hear case studies as well as the latest research, tools and resources for integrating family nature play into your zoo/aquarium programming.
This webinar is made possible by the Disney Conservation Fund as part of AZA’s Nature Play Begins at Your Zoo & Aquarium program.
Presenter: Janice Swaisgood, Natural Families Director, Children & Nature Network
To receive the link to the join the webinar, email Heidi at [email protected] before December 12.
January Webinar:
Developmentally Appropriate Practices for Early Childhood Nature Play Programs
Are you responsible for designing nature play programming for young children (ages birth to 8)? This free webinar on January 19th at 3pm ET will discuss typical development at the different stages of early childhood. Then we will discuss developmentally appropriate practices and how to integrate those practices into a nature play space. We’ll touch on taking advantage of the power of play, utilizing loose parts, managing behaviors, and engaging caregivers.
This webinar is made possible by the Disney Conservation Fund as part of AZA’s Nature Play Begins at Your Zoo & Aquarium program.
Presenter: Rachel Larimore, Director of Education, Chippewa Nature Center
To receive the link to the join the webinar, email Heidi at [email protected] before January 16.
February Webinar:
Theory Into Practice: Family Nature Clubs “How to”
Family Nature Clubs (FNCs) are an excellent way to engage your visitors and members with the great outdoors. In this free webinar on February 16th at 3pm ET, you will learn first steps to start a FNC and/or to take yours to the next level. We will hear case studies from two AZA accredited facilities, including stories of impact.
This webinar is made possible by the Disney Conservation Fund as part of AZA’s Nature Play Begins at Your Zoo & Aquarium program.
Presenter: Janice Swaisgood, Natural Families Director, Children & Nature Network
To receive the link to the join the webinar, email Heidi at [email protected] before February 13.