Children are spending more and more time indoors and less time outside, experiencing nature. There is a growing movement around the globe to reconnect children to the natural world, which is easy and enjoyable to do locally in your own watershed.

Art can be an especially fun and creative way to connect kids to their natural environment. In support of this idea, the San Pablo Area Watershed Neighbors Education and Restoration Society (SPAWNERS) has invited Pamela Michael, Executive Director for River of Words, to speak at a special public meeting on February 4th at the El Sobrante Library. River of Words is a local non-profit organization that conducts training workshops for teachers, park naturalists, grassroots groups, state agencies and librarians to help them incorporate observation-based nature exploration and the arts into their work with young people. For more information about River of Words, you can visit their website: http://www.riverofwords.org.

Ms. Michael will give a presentation about the global movement to connect kids to nature through art, the merits of getting kids involved with nature, and how you can get involved locally. A moderated open forum discussion along with a Q&A session will follow the talk. Free refreshments will be served.

“Ms. Michael gives an inspiring presentation, complete with beautiful poetry and artwork created by children around the world,” says Femke Oldham, Program Coordinator for SPAWNERS.

"It is good to realize that if love and peace can prevail on earth, and if we can teach our children to honor nature's gifts, the joys and beauties of the outdoors will be here forever." -Jimmy Carter