Agenda

Twenty-five years ago, a couple of grown-up kids with a passionate dream launched NLI.
Grateful thanks to our sponsors for making this event possible.

WELCOMING REMARKS

Representative, PNC Bank, primary sponsor.
Janet Cowell, Mayor, City of Raleigh
Kate Pearce, Dix Park Executive Director, City of Raleigh
Mark Hoversten, PhD, Dean, College of Design, NC State University.
Maria Bellalta, Head, Department of Landscape Architecture and Environmental Planning, NC State University.
Soolyeon Cho, PhD, Assoc. Dean for Research, College of Design, Interim Director, NLI

Re-Creating Places for Biophilic Free-Range Play & Learning. Introducing NLI’s mission, goals, areas of activity, and biophilic built examples, helping children feel part of the local ecosystem. Referencing the health crisis of U.S. children and youth (JAMA, 2025) and the global reduction in “nature connectedness” (Richardson, 2025). The child’s right to nature (Moore, 1997), the necessity of bio-spaces for optimal development (UNICEF, 2021), and Nature-based Solutions (IUCN). “World Premiere”!

What do we know about children’s engagement with nature, why is it important, when most critical, where should it happen, what dosage? Who ensures “where” interaction happens? What links are missing from the “nature supply chain”?

35’ presentation. 10’ Q&A.

Cathy Jordan, PhD, is Director of Research, Children & Nature Network; Professor of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota; and Co-founder and Co-leader, Teacher Field School. Cathy trained as a pediatric neuropsychologist, specializing in the impact of the physical environment on children’s health, wellness, academic success, and care for the Earth.

The child’s right to nature, its international recognition, its power to nurture “GenN” – the next generation of nature advocates (biodiversity by design). The role of IUCN (International Union for the Conservation of Nature) and its Nature-Based Solutions (NbS) model as a people-environment equitable design tool.

35’ presentation. 10’ Q&A.

Cheryl Charles, PhD, is co-founder of the Children & Nature Network and works with the IUCN Commission on Education and Communications, and is also Chair of a Vermont School Board.

Multiple societal forces over the past 75 years have worked in concert to reduce the possibilities for free play, independent activity, and, especially, outdoor freedom for our children. What are those forces, and some current promising movements toward counteracting them? If we want children to spend more time outdoors, we must free them to play outdoors with other children, without adult interference. That is the challenge.

35’ presentation. 10’ Q&A.

Peter Gray, PhD, is Research Professor, Psychology and Neuroscience, Boston College, and an expert in children’s play and informal learning, author of Free to Learn, and other provocative books addressing contemporary childhood.

Pick up box lunch. Ten-minute walk to GPP Group Picnic Place. Take time to explore. Matt Urbanski, APE Studio, and volunteers are available to answer questions. Experience the unique restrooms before returning! Afternoon Chapel presentation starts promptly at 2.00

MVVA partners, Matt and Michael Van Valkenburgh, and team members have collaborated with NLI for more than 25 years on a range of projects serving children and families. During this time, MVVA’s expertise, completed works, and reputation in this critical area of landscape architecture as a health intervention has grown enormously. Matt will share current aspirations in designing for free play, including the Gipson Play Plaza in depth.

35’ presentation. 25’ Q&A.

Matt Urbanski, FASLA, is a partner in Michael Van Valkenburgh and Associates (MVVA), landscape architects, NYC, and lead designer of the Gipson Play Plaza.

Case examples/stories from the Biophilic Cities Network. Strategic approaches. Climate, culture, partners, policy, and politics. What are the keys to success, and how are they measured? Lessons learned that may apply to Raleigh as a BCN Member.

Timothy “Tim” Beatley is the Teresa Heinz Professor of Sustainable Communities, Department of Urban and Environmental Planning, School of Architecture, University of Virginia. Tim is known as a prolific author and advocate for biophilic cities, and the founder of the Biophilic Cities Network, including Raleigh. Tim believes the biophilic approach is the best hope for addressing environmental challenges.

Mayor Janet Cowell participates.

“What’s the way ahead for all of us in the children and nature movement, NLI included, to keep moving forward, locally and globally? Now, and beyond current challenges, towards a brighter biophilic future?

Richard “Rich” Louv (online), author of Last Child in the Woods (2005), the book that sparked the cofounding, with Cheryl Charles, of the Children and Nature Network (2006) and the now global children and nature movement.

Rich shares thoughts about NLI’s dedication to creating resources and working with frontline professionals to naturalize play and learning spaces, and responds to the PANEL QUESTION.

Joined on-stage by:

Robin Moore (compère), Tim Beatley, Cheryl Charles, Nilda Cosco, Peter Gray, Cathy Jordan, Matt Urbanski.

Each panelist responds to the Panel Question.
Audience participants respond on paper or by posting on a WhatsApp Board.

Thoughts about takeaway actions.

Jesse Turner, Landscape Architect, founding student staff (2000) and NLI’s Poet-in-Residence:

––Poem

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Learning Objectives

Professional Development Credits Provided By