This week marks the 100th issue of Green Hour, so it seems the perfect time to reflect and offer thanks to our readers, partners, and supporters. We are proud of the work that has been done and thrilled by the positive response it has received.
What is 100 weeks' worth of outdoor activities, community conversation, and opinions and musings on the importance of nature to childhood worth? How do we measure that? Sure, we look at statistics like page views, member numbers, survey results, and the like. We also look at how many folks are linking to us, downloading our widgets, or talking about Green Hour in their blogs.
All of these things are fantastic measures, but I like to think beyond that -- to the number of smiles, giggles, grass stains, trees climbed, and seeds planted. During the past 100 weeks, how many kids have discovered something in their backyard for the first time or waded in a creek they never knew existed? How many parents have delighted in exploring nature alongside their children and witnessed moments of true wonder? How many miles of trails have been hiked, marshmallows toasted, and memories made?
How do I quantify those priceless moments? I can't. I just smile and am grateful to have played a small part in them. So, I offer you heartfelt thanks for making Green Hour a part of your family's life, for sharing your comments and feedback, and for taking the time and effort to ensure that your children grow up in a world marked by wonder, play, and natural beauty.
Parents and caregivers are doing the most important job in the world, and we are thrilled to be a part of your toolkit.
Now, we'd better get to it. There are holes to be dug, rocks to be collected, birds to be watched, and thousands of other things to delight our children -- and the children in all of us. See you outside!
| Bethe Almeras is the Senior Manager for Family and Educator Programs for the National Wildlife Federation and Campaign Manager for Green Hour. Follow her on Twitter at @balmeras |
This week marks the 100th issue of Green Hour, so it seems the perfect time to reflect and offer thanks to our readers, partners, and supporters. We are proud of the work that has been done and thrilled by the positive response it has received.
What is 100 weeks' worth of outdoor activities, community conversation, and opinions and musings on the importance of nature to childhood worth? How do we measure that? Sure, we look at statistics like page views, member numbers, survey results, and the like. We also look at how many folks are linking to us, downloading our widgets, or talking about Green Hour in their blogs.
All of these things are fantastic measures, but I like to think beyond that -- to the number of smiles, giggles, grass stains, trees climbed, and seeds planted. During the past 100 weeks, how many kids have discovered something in their backyard for the first time or waded in a creek they never knew existed? How many parents have delighted in exploring nature alongside their children and witnessed moments of true wonder? How many miles of trails have been hiked, marshmallows toasted, and memories made?
How do I quantify those priceless moments? I can't. I just smile and am grateful to have played a small part in them. So, I offer you heartfelt thanks for making Green Hour a part of your family's life, for sharing your comments and feedback, and for taking the time and effort to ensure that your children grow up in a world marked by wonder, play, and natural beauty.
Parents and caregivers are doing the most important job in the world, and we are thrilled to be a part of your toolkit.
Now, we'd better get to it. There are holes to be dug, rocks to be collected, birds to be watched, and thousands of other things to delight our children -- and the children in all of us. See you outside!