Nature in Our Own Backyards:
Urban Ecology and Children

Jessica Mikels-Carrasco
University of Notre Dame

Citation: Mikels-Carrasco, Jessica (2010). "Nature in Our Own Backyards: Urban Ecology and Children ." Children, Youth and Environments 20 (2): 190-199. Retrieved [date] from http://www.colorado.edu/journals/cye/

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Abstract

Through interaction with the natural world children can form an appreciation for the environment as well as interest in the natural sciences. It was with this in mind that a youth neighborhood ecology program was launched in 2009 with a second program offered in 2010. The SEEDS Neighborhood Ecology program aims to link youth in underprivileged neighborhoods to the environment in their own backyards. The program culminates in visits to the local university, linking the summer activities to career possibilities in ecology. This field report documents the early stages of this program and future prospects for SEEDS.

Keywords: neighborhood ecology, children, youth, STEM, urban environments, environmental education