Nature Deficit Disorder, Demo Days, Fishing Changes, and more...Get OUTSIDE Recommendations (Oct. 15-17)

Have you ever heard the phrase nature deficit disorder?

Richard Lourv coined the phrase nature deficit disorder in his book, Last Child in the Woods, and in doing so has created a national conversation about the disconnect between children and nature. The conversation continues to grow and inspires Leave No Child Inside initiatives throughout the country.

I don't know about you, but when I was growing up my parents had to fight to get me to come inside at the end of the day. Times have changed and now parents have to kick their kids outside. Did you know that children today spend an average of 6 hours each day in front of the computer and TV and less than 4 minutes a day in unstructured outdoor play?

Join Richard Lourv for dinner this Friday (10/15) and learn more about nature deficit disorder and what it means to our children's future.

Friday, 10/15, at The Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center
$50 (includes dinner )
Click here for details

Halloween is just around the corner . . . which means it is time to get your pumpkins!

There are several pumpkin patches in the Roanoke, VA region, check out one near you. Pack up the car and spend the day looking for that perfect pumpkin.

Christiansburg/Blacksburg - check out Sinkland Farm. Techtron the Iron Hokie will be there on 10/17.
Roanoke & Salem - visit Layman Family Farms. Corn maze, 40' tube slide, hayrides, and more.
Giles & Craig County - Joe's Trees (famous for Christmas trees) has entered the pumpkin patch market. It's worth the drive.
Franklin County - Morgan Farms has a pumpkin patch and corn maze. Call 540-297-4900 for details.
Botetourt County - Choose between Jeter Farm and Ikenberry Orchards, neither will disappoint.

Get OUTSIDE!

Pete Eshelman
Director of Outdoor Branding
Roanoke Regional Partnership

Virgin

ia Tech's College of Natural Resources and Environment in cooperation with Blue Ridge Parkway 75, Inc. is hosting Imagining the Blue Ridge Parkway for the 21st Century: Sustaining Communities, Environments, and Economies. The historic Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center will be the host hotel for this October 14-16 symposium.

The program is designed to assist community leaders, businesses, economic development authorities, tourism offices, academics, Parkway officials, and supporters of the Parkway in working together for a sustainable future for the Parkway.

Speakers include:

Richard Lourv, author of Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children from Nature Deficit Disorder and co-founder and chairman Children & Nature Network
Peter Jenkins, author of A Walk Across America
Carlton Abbott, son of original Blue Ridge Parkway designer Stanley Abbott
Gerard Baker, former NPS employee featured in Ken Burns's series, The National Parks: America's Best Idea
Rupert Cutler, retired conservationist
and many more...

Please visit the 2010 Symposium page for complete details!

Can't make the entire conference? Be sure to join Richard Lourv for dinner the evening of October 15. Click here for details (only $50).