Table of Contents
In Search of a Nature-Rich Life xiii
A Note to Readers xvii
Part 1 The Gift of Memory 1
You're Not Alone: Strengthening the Bonds of Family and Friendship 3
Start from Day One 4
Simple Ways to Expand Time and Space for Kids and Adults 7
Give the Gifts of Nature and Create New Family and Friendship Rituals 10
Make Room for Independent Play and Solitude 14
Part 2 Ways of Knowing the World 21
The Hybrid Mind 23
Counteract Sensory Dysfunction 24
Hidden Superpowers 26
Extra Ways to Develop Extra-vision 29
Discover the Lost Art of Finding Your Way 31
Try a Little Mindfulness 35
High-Tech, High-Nature? 39
Go Wildsnapping 40
Be a Soundcatcher 42
Natural Creativity: Do It, Build it, Paint It, Play It 49
Small Projects for Small Hands 50
More Challenging Construction Projects 51
Discover the Art of Nature 56
Nature Writing 60
These Games (from Around the World) Will Not Be Digitized 61
Part 3 The Nature-Rich Home and Garden 69
Everyday Eden 71
Make Good Use of What You Already Have 72
Build a Backyard Nature Preserve 75
The Yard, Balcony, or Rooftop Farm 81
The Restorative Home: Bring the Outside In 87
Buy, Build, or Rent a Family Getaway Cabin 91
Part 4 Nurturing Natural Resilience 95
Don't Cut Down the Tree; Build Up the Kid 97
Be a Natural Neighbor 103
A Brief Developmental Guide to Nature Play 105
Leave No Child (or Anyone Else) Inside 107
Call in the Reinforcements: Grand Ideas for Grandparents & Grandfriends 110
The Hummingbird Parent 113
Part 5 Go Wild and Wilder 117
The Wild Nearby 119
Explore Nearby Nature 120
Bond with Your Bioregion 123
Become a Citizen Naturalist 125
Wilder Still 131
Step It Up 131
Set Up Camp 133
Get Wet and Wetter 135
Ride and Roll 136
Go to Extremes 138
Nurture Your Inner Hunter & Gatherer 140
Be a Wildwatcher 143
Practice Wildcrafting 148
Part 6 Grow Outside: The Nature Prescription 153
Healthy by Nature 155
Create Your Own Nature Gym 157
General Outdoor Strategies for Physical and Mental Health 161
Visit a Nature Therapy Retreat 165
Go On Your Own Nature Retreat for Mental Health 167
Be a Weather Warrior 171
Activities and Safety Tips for Cold, Wet, and Snowy Weather 171
Activities and Safety Tips for Very Hot Weather 175
The Indoor Expedition: For When You Can't Go Outside 178
Be a Weather Detective 181
Part 7 The School of Nature 187
Be a Natural Teacher, at Home and at School 189
Ignite Natural Learning at Home and School 190
The Nature-Rich School: How Parents and Teachers Can Support One Another as Natural Teachers 195
Create a Support System for Nature-Based Education 201
Use Your Parent/Teacher Political Power in the Community 204
Honor the Natural Teachers in Schools, Home, and Community 206
Part 8 The Nature-Rich Community 211
Not Back to Nature, Forward to Nature 213
What Every Parent, Teacher, and Young Person Needs to Know about the Coming Opportunities in Nature-Smart Careers 215
The Essential Role of Libraries in Creating Nature-Rich Communities 221
Make Your City the Best in the Nation (or the World) for Connecting Families to Nature 226
Peace Like a River 235
Acknowledgments 241
Bibliography and Recommended Reading 243
Notes 253
How to Get Involved in the New Nature Movement 261
About Richard Louv 261
Index 263