Nature Everywhere

Connecting Kids to Nature 

More than 80% of the world’s children live in urban areas and this trend continues to grow. Increasing safe, equitable access to nature is a strategy that enhances children’s well-being and supports city priorities for public health, academic achievement, employment, quality of life, sustainability, and more.

In 2023, the National League of Cities (NLC), its partners Children & Nature Network (C&NN), and KABOOM! welcomed 19 new sites – including Madison Region – into the Nature Everywhere Communities initiative. Nature Everywhere succeeds the highly successful Cities Connecting Children to Nature (CCCN) initiative.

These 19 sites are part of a new national joint initiative called Nature Everywhere Communities. The initiative aims to increase equitable access to nature everywhere children live, learn and play in 100 communities by 2025. Longstanding systems of inequity create disparities in the design, distribution and programming of green spaces and natural areas.

Through Nature Everywhere Communities, city leaders and their partners will be supported in dismantling these systems to improve the health and well-being of children through daily connections to nature. Madison Parks is a partner in this county-wide initiative along with Public Health Madison and Dane County, Aldo Leopold Nature Center, Madison Metropolitan School District, and many other stakeholders.

Email Nature Everywhere Madison to learn more about this initiative and to join the work.

Nature Everywhere Day

Nature Everywhere Day, a single-day event held each June, encourages individuals and families to explore Madison area parks, trails, and green spaces through outdoor programs across the region.

Local organizations that connect children with nature are encouraged to join the fun. Visit Nature Everywhere Day to learn more.