News & Events

Book Discussion

Last Child in the Woods: Saving our Children from Nature Deficit Disorder

Inspired by Richard Louv's best selling book, Last Child in the Woods: Saving our Children from Nature Deficit Disorder and guided by the organization it spawned, The Children in Nature Network, LKRLT is offering a series of events to educate families on the importance of exposure to the natural world, and opportunities to get outside and play together.

The recipient of the 2008 Audubon Medal, Richard Louv identified a phenomenon we all knew existed but couldn't quite articulate: nature-deficit disorder. Since its initial publication, his book Last Child in the Woods has created a national conversation about the disconnection between children and nature, and his message has galvanized an international movement. Now, three years later, we have reached a tipping point, with the book inspiring Leave No Child Inside initiatives throughout the country.

Hailed as "an absolute must-read" by the Boston Globe and "too tantalizing to ignore" by Audubon magazine, Last Child in the Woods is the inspiring work that proves children need nature as much as nature needs children.

Copies of the book are available for circulation at Patten Free Library and the Lower Kennebec Regional Land Trust office at 92 Front Street, or purchase your own at the Bath Book Shop!

Book Discussions held at Patten Free Library (outside if cooperative weather!)

• May 22, 6-8pm
  Facilitated by Laura Sewall, Executive Director of the Kennebec Estuary Collaboration and author of Sense and Sensibility: The Ecopsychology of Perception
• June 17, 6-8pm
  Facilitated by Anne Hammond, Chair of LKRLT Stewardship Committee
  We will meet at the gazebo if the weather is nice!

This series is made possible by a grant from Merrymeeting Bay Trust.