SJ0044 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SJ0044 LRB096 11752 GRL 22513 r

SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The Illinois General Assembly is aware that scientific research shows that children are increasingly distanced from nature, even while an increasing number of researchers and scientists have determined the benefits of outdoor play for children and that direct exposure to nature is essential for healthy childhood physical, emotional, and spiritual development; and

WHEREAS, Children's understanding of nature is eclipsed by their knowledge of television characters; the average eight year old is better able to identify cartoon characters than even common plants and animals; and

WHEREAS, Addressing the imminent and threatening environmental issues of our time requires an active citizenry; providing children with outdoor nature experiences increases involvement in stewardship of our environment; and

WHEREAS, Time spent in nature by children promotes curiosity, improves the learning of science, and provides joy and a sense of well-being; and

WHEREAS, Actively engaging adults, mentors, and youth leaders and building their capacity to facilitate opportunities for children to engage in nature discovery and learning in safe places, with a special emphasis on engaging underserved and ethnically diverse audiences, as well as non-traditional partners, is a vital step in this process; and

WHEREAS, The State of Illinois has a longstanding commitment to its natural heritage, connecting its people to the land and passing traditions on to future generations through outdoor activities such as fishing, hunting, bird watching, cross country skiing, and nature walks; and

WHEREAS, Bringing nature to children and creating safe places and programs that provide increased and improved outdoor nature exploration opportunities for children to promote discovery and creative play is of utmost importance to our society; and

WHEREAS, The State of Illinois is endowed with a gloriously diverse landscape, ranging from prairies and woodlands to the cypress swamps of southern Illinois to the bluffs of the Illinois valley and spreading across the farmlands of our rural communities to the backyard bungalows, play lots, and parks of our cities, all of which must be shared with the children and families of this State; and

WHEREAS, The State of Illinois is rich in educational initiatives, conservation organizations, conservation districts, forest preserve districts, park districts, recreation agencies, schools, and civic organizations that are all actively engaged in promoting environmental education; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING HEREIN, that we show our support for the Children's Outdoor Bill of Rights, which states that every child should have the opportunity to discover the wilderness, which includes the State's prairies, dunes, forests, savannas, and wetlands; camp under the stars; follow a trail; catch and release fish, frogs, and insects; climb a tree; explore nature in neighborhoods and cities; celebrate their heritage; plant a flower; play in the mud or a stream; and learn to swim; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we hereby designate the month of June as "Leave No Child Inside Month" in the State of Illinois in furtherance of our support of this important initiative.