From the hunger strikes of the Sunrise movement to Greta Thunberg’s journey by sailboat across the Atlantic Ocean, members of Generation Z have demonstrated their commitment to bold action on climate change and are demanding that older leaders follow suit. But Generation Alpha, comprising children born after 2010 and following Generation Z, is on track to be the generation least connected with nature.

JAMA Pediatrics released a study last year that reported a significant increase in the number of children diagnosed with mental health conditions between 2016 and 2020—with increases, particularly in anxiety and depression. Trust for Learning, an equity-focused philanthropic partnership supporting children’s development from birth to age eight, is working to reconnect children to nature to support their mental health, development, and relationship with the natural world.

The organization’s latest report, Nurturing All Children in Nature, highlights the importance of nature-based learning environments and how this establishes values of environmental stewardship from an early age. The report also highlights how public and private programs around the country are finding innovative and often low-cost ways to achieve these goals.

Read the full article about climate justice for generation alpha by Ellen Roche at Nonprofit Quarterly.