Interview Opportunity - Screen Vs. Green: Today's Kids Are Missing Out on All the Benefits that Come from Spending Time in Nature

Expert Ben Klasky available to discuss how connecting with nature nurtures our bodies and minds

TORONTO, June 15, 2017 /CNW/ - Canadians tend to take nature for granted. Did you know that 83 per cent of Canadians have a park close to their home and one in five live within 250 metres of a park - yet, we're not taking advantage of our proximity to nature, despite the desire to get outside more often?

Spending time outside delivers tremendous physical and mental health benefits – studies have shown that it helps improve short term memory, restores mental energy, relieves stress and improves concentration. However, according to a recent national survey commissioned by Nature Valley, several factors and barriers dissuade Canadians from prioritizing time outdoors in nature, including:

• Societal Pressures on parents to enroll their kids in organized, structured activities, instead of letting them play freely in nature.
• Lack of time/energy and a feeling that getting out in nature requires packing up the car and driving somewhere far away.
• Canadian weather and it being either too hot or too cold to get outside.
• The lure of technology/screens and the preference to spend time on things like social media and gaming.

The growing reality is that children (and adults) can benefit greatly from spending time outside in a natural environment, but they are just not being exposed to it the way previous generations were. And while it is no surprise Canadians feel they spend less time outdoors than their parents did, the fact remains that today's children are missing out.

Supporting the effort to get children outdoors for their physical and mental health is Ben Klasky, President and CEO of IslandWood, an innovative nonprofit organization that introduces thousands of children to the outdoors each year. To see Ben Klasky's TedX talk – click HERE.

Ben is available for in-person or phone/SKYPE interviews in Toronto on June 20th and 21st to discuss the key survey findings/stats that point to the growing importance of getting kids exploring nature and learning outside. He can also speak to:

• How nature is more accessible than we tend to think and the need for Canadians to embrace nature right outside our doors.
• Nature Deficit Disorder – what is it and how to prevent it.
• The benefits that come with spending time in nature -- intellectually, emotionally, socially, spiritually and physically.
• Tips for how to make spending time in rediscovering the joy of nature a priority for your family

SOURCE Nature Valley

For further information: or to book an interview, contact: Katie MacKay, 416-725-5039, kmackay@veritasinc.com