State Officials and Non-Profit Leaders Gather to Promote Getting Children Outdoors

Governor Phil Bredesen has declared June 2010 as "Tennessee Great Outdoor Month."  The proclamation culminates the recent efforts of the Every Child Outdoors - Tennessee (ECO-TN) Coalition.  A copy of the proclamation can be viewed by clicking here. 

Earlier this month, the coalition hosted the first ever Tennessee Governor's Summit on Every Child Outdoors Tuesday, Montgomery Bell State Park.  Over 150 community leaders from the educational, natural resources, governmental and other sectors attended the summit to better understand and discuss the connection between youth detachment from the outdoors and the lack of physical exercise and increased health risks. 

Earlier this year, the ECO-TN Coalition adopted the Tennessee Children's Outdoor Bill of Rights (TCOBOR),  a list of experiences from which every child in Tennessee would benefit. A formal Resolution supporting the work of the ECO-TN Coalition and establishing the TCOBOR was unanimously passed by the Tennessee General Assembly in February 2010.

The ECO-TN Coalition was created to promote and support opportunities that encourage the children of Tennessee to engage with and experience the outdoors.  More than 100 groups have signed on as supporters of the coalition and 19 nonprofits, governmental agencies, universities and other interest groups, including TWF serve on the coalition's steering committee.  Martha Lyle Ford, TWF's Director of Education, serves as Co-Chairman.   

For more information about the ECO-TN Coalition, click here.