U.S. Children Losing Touch With Nature

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[Aside from the promotion of hunting and fishing in this article, the article still correctly points out the sad disconnect Americans have with nature. The future isn't going to be pretty for any species, including humans, if we continue on this path. Rick.]Source > http://www.sltrib.com/SEARCH/ci_5645542 Wharton: We're losing touch with nature By Tom Wharton Tribune Columnist Article Last Updated: 04/12/2007 06:55:55 AM MDT Our children suffer from "Nature Deficit Disorder." Finding a cure won't be easy. "Children are more disconnected from nature and even alienated from it because of increased technology and urbanization and from parental concern about children's safety," said Leo McAvoy, professor of parks, recreation and tourism at the University of Minnesota. The nationally known expert recently spoke to a group of University of Utah graduate students. What he had to say should concern those making a living outdoors, public-land managers and those who treasure nature. Consider that in the past 10 years, backcountry and tent camping decreased by 25 percent and recreation-vehicle camping dropped 33 percent in national parks, a place where American families traditionally introduce children to the outdoors.

McAvoy also said outdoor-product sales are declining. There is less interest from young people in hunting and fishing. There is less demand for 10- to 21-day trips and more call for one- to eight-day vacations. "We have a $10 billion-a-year computer-gaming industry in the United States," said the professor. "You see young people camping in shopping centers to get a new PlayStation. It's the only time a lot of these children have ever been in a tent." People value what they know. If we don't come up with more ways to introduce people to nature, natural systems won't be valued. Other trends concerned the recreation expert. Federal agencies are making it more difficult and expensive for educational organizations to use public lands. Many outdoor guides lack the skills to deal with the public. People want adventure but

expect every experience to be perfectly safe. Americans seek instant gratification. While many say they want to stretch themselves while looking for a peak experience, they expect those who provide such activities to assume all the risk. "If anything goes wrong, it's not their fault, but the fault of the leader and organization," McAvoy said. "Participants, parents and attorneys expect outfitters to have elaborate risk-management plans in place. . . . I fear that we may reach a point where outdoor programs are watered down to the point that they lose their attraction." Finally, low pay for quality outdoor guides keeps many potential role models from joining the outdoor-recreation industry and becoming educators. McAvoy's brief talk offered sobering

evidence that outdoor recreation and the preservation of wild places could be in trouble. --- * TOM WHARTON can be contacted at wharton. His phone number is 801-257-8909. Send comments about this story to living editor.

 

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