Resource Review: The Green Desk

7th December, 2011 - Posted by - No Comments

From time to time we like to feature great resources here at The Body Smart Blog that will help people interested in naturalizing their outdoor play spaces. As research shows us, health benefits and opportunities for academic and social development are associated with well designed outdoor play spaces which promote play and interaction with natural elements.

Recently, The Natural Learning Initiative launched a great resource called the Green Desk. This interactive resource not only allows you to search for common questions and answers about naturalizing a play space, but it allows you to submit questions of your own and have them answered by staff, who are leaders in their field.

You can find information about design features, safety, pathways, how to deal with mosquitoes and everything else in between. Don’t see your question covered? Simply submit a question and the Green Desk folks will provide you with evidence-based answers to help you create a successful project.

One of my favorite features in their PDF, Affordable Settings and Elements. This user and budget-friendly piece will walk you through multiple projects to enhance the natural features of your play space.

So visit the Green Desk. We bet you’ll be glad you did! You can also follow the Natural Learning Initiative on Twitter @NaturalearningI.

Playfully yours, Bethe

Bethe Almeras, MS, is the HSBS Education & Outreach Director. A long time educator and play advocate, she is passionate about outdoor play and connecting children with nature. In her free time Bethe writes a blog, The Grass Stain Guru, and can often be found playing outside and enjoying Mother Nature. She is particularly fond of chatting with squirrels.