Who we are
Indiana Children and Nature Network (ICAN)
Indiana has joined the national movement to get children outdoors through the Indiana Children and Nature Network (ICAN). ICAN builds collaborative efforts to encourage children spending time in the natural environment. The project is an initiative of the Environmental Education Association of Indiana (EEAI), a group of outdoor and environmental educators from around the state. ICAN encourages government, businesses, nonprofits, academia, individuals, and families to impact a societal change that allows more time to be spent outdoors.
Mission: Our mission is to foster the connection of children, families and communities to the natural environment so they can receive the physical, emotional and intellectual benefits of spending time outdoors, while building a lifelong love of nature.
We do this by:
· Raising awareness of the many benefits of connecting children with nature;
· Promoting unstructured play and time outdoors for children and adults;
· Engaging a diverse network of people and facilitate collaborations.
Steering Committee
The Indiana Children and Nature Network is currently led by a steering committee of passionate volunteers.
New members are welcomed to share their knowledge, experience, and expertise to help us move ICAN forward. Volunteers from other parts of the state are welcome!
Sarah Kempfer - sarah@indianachildrenandnature.org
Claire Lane - Hamilton County SWCD Urban Conservationist, claire.lane@hamiltoncounty.in.gov
Ann Niednagel - Environmental Education Association of Indiana, President, ann.niednagel@gmail.com
Michele Schilten - Indianapolis Zoo, Director of Education, mschilten@indyzoo.com
Stephanie Schuck, Marian University EcoLab, Restoration Ecologist, sschuck@marian.edu
Nancy Stark, Conner Prairie, Education Director, stark@connerprairie.org
Melissa Moran, The Nature Conservancy of Indiana, Community Outreach Coordinator, melissa.moran@tnc.org
Mindy Murdock, Zionville Parks and Recreation, mmurdock@zionsville-in.gov
Indiana has joined the national movement to get children outdoors through the Indiana Children and Nature Network (ICAN). ICAN builds collaborative efforts to encourage children spending time in the natural environment. The project is an initiative of the Environmental Education Association of Indiana (EEAI), a group of outdoor and environmental educators from around the state. ICAN encourages government, businesses, nonprofits, academia, individuals, and families to impact a societal change that allows more time to be spent outdoors.
Mission: Our mission is to foster the connection of children, families and communities to the natural environment so they can receive the physical, emotional and intellectual benefits of spending time outdoors, while building a lifelong love of nature.
We do this by:
· Raising awareness of the many benefits of connecting children with nature;
· Promoting unstructured play and time outdoors for children and adults;
· Engaging a diverse network of people and facilitate collaborations.
Steering Committee
The Indiana Children and Nature Network is currently led by a steering committee of passionate volunteers.
New members are welcomed to share their knowledge, experience, and expertise to help us move ICAN forward. Volunteers from other parts of the state are welcome!
Sarah Kempfer - sarah@indianachildrenandnature.org
Claire Lane - Hamilton County SWCD Urban Conservationist, claire.lane@hamiltoncounty.in.gov
Ann Niednagel - Environmental Education Association of Indiana, President, ann.niednagel@gmail.com
Michele Schilten - Indianapolis Zoo, Director of Education, mschilten@indyzoo.com
Stephanie Schuck, Marian University EcoLab, Restoration Ecologist, sschuck@marian.edu
Nancy Stark, Conner Prairie, Education Director, stark@connerprairie.org
Melissa Moran, The Nature Conservancy of Indiana, Community Outreach Coordinator, melissa.moran@tnc.org
Mindy Murdock, Zionville Parks and Recreation, mmurdock@zionsville-in.gov
