The Outdoors Alliance for Kids is a national strategic partnership of organizations from diverse sectors with a common interest in connecting children, youth and families with the outdoors. OAK’s members are brought together by the belief that the wellness of current and future generations, the health of our planet and communities and the economy of the future depend on humans having a personal, direct and life-long relationship with nature and the outdoors. OAK brings together over 100 organizations representing more than 60 million individuals to help shape a future where all children, youth and families have safe and readily available opportunities to connect with the outdoors. OAK’s advocacy framework rests on three pillars: education, community health and wellness, and climate and conservation.
EDUCATION
All children, youth and families have regular, safe, and varied opportunities to experience, play and learn in and about the natural world. OAK supports efforts to:
- integrate environmental and outdoor education into the formal preschool and k-12 curricula;
- establish or improve high-quality and safe outdoor learning environments; and
- strengthen and expand educational and out-of-school time programs outside the public school system that are related to our public lands, waters, and shores.
COMMUNITY HEALTH AND WELLNESS
All children and youth have increased access to safe places outdoors and initiatives to improve their physical and mental health. OAK supports efforts to:
- ensure every child in America has safe access to public parks and open spaces within a half mile of their home;
- protect, restore, or establish natural areas, parks, play spaces, and walking and biking paths near schools and population centers where safe and accessible outdoor areas may be limited; and
- encourage our children to get the recommended 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity every day, with an emphasis on outdoor play when appropriate and safe.
CLIMATE AND CONSERVATION
America’s natural lands and waters are protected (including from climate change), programmed and maintained, and children, youth and families play a meaningful role in their conservation, including employment opportunities that advance outdoor connections and protect public lands and our planet. OAK supports efforts to:
- protect our public lands and waters for future generations to enjoy by addressing critical challenges, such as climate change;
- raise awareness about the importance of proper funding for our nation’s public lands to ensure their proper management; and
- engage youth and young adults in career programs that manage, steward and maintain public lands.
Outdoors Alliance for Kids 