THE EVENT

On September 20, 2018 Westcave will host the 11th Annual Children in Nature Awards Dinner in recognition of those in the community focused on getting kids out into nature. Evan Smith of the Texas Tribune and Overheard will serve as Master of Ceremonies. Westcave will honor three award winners chosen for their excellence in connecting children with nature. The proceeds from the Celebration support the Children in Nature Collaborative of Austin (CiNCA), a core program of Westcave Outdoor Discovery Center.

THE COLLABORATIVE

The mission of CiNCA is to ignite and fan the flames of the regional movement to reconnect kids to the wonder and joy of the natural world and to inspire the next generation of environmental stewards.

Our leadership of the CiNCA was born out of concern for the growing disconnect between our children and their natural surroundings. A regional partnership among environmental educators, health professionals, and a broad base of community leaders, CiNCA is dedicated to nurturing a love of nature among children right here in Central Texas. Our programs and support for new green spaces greatly increase opportunities for kids to play and learn in nature. The benefits of doing so go far beyond developing future ambassadors for natural conservation. Through CiNCA’s programs and activities, we can help kids gain confidence, reduce stress and overall improve their wellbeing. We believe in the power of nature in improving health and quality of life for kids that explore, interact and feel confident in the natural environment.

AWARDS

The Children in Nature award winners represent the most innovative and successful initiatives to get kids out into nature more often here in Central Texas. Through their efforts, they are helping to reduce the symptoms of “nature deficit disorder” – a term coined by bestselling author Richard Louv in his book Last Child in the Woods.