Conservation Activities Key Among Youth, Survey Finds

(April 1, 2020)

Conservation education starts with parks and recreation

Ashburn, Va. (Apr. 1, 2020) — More than nine in 10 adults want children to be active in environmental conservation efforts that promote a healthy planet, according to a newly released National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) poll. Conservation related activities typically offered by local parks and recreation include: 

  • Waste Reduction
  • Nature-Based Recreation
  • Nature Health Benefits
  • Gardening
  • Wildlife Preservation
  • Tree Plantings
  • Climate Education

“Teaching youth about the importance of conservation raises their awareness about the value of nature and creates the next generation of environmental stewards,” said Karl Schrass, NRPA director of conservation. “Thankfully, many programs and activities available through local parks and recreation provide opportunities for children to discover nature, learn about environmentally friendly practices that help protect the planet and most importantly have fun.” 

Parks and public lands serve an essential role in preserving natural resources and wildlife habitats, protecting clean water and clean air, and providing open space for current and future generations. Nearly all U.S. adults (93 percent) believe it is important to protect natural resources, including fresh air and clean water, through the acquisition and maintenance of local parks, trails and green spaces. 

Park and recreation professionals educate the public about the value of conservation, connect children and youth to nature and the outdoors, and coordinate environmental stewardship with other public and nonprofit entities. Eighty-eight percent of people agree local parks and recreation provide good opportunities to interact with nature and the outdoors.

Learn more about the conservation benefits of parks and recreation here.

This poll is part of NRPA’s Park Pulse, a continuing series of monthly surveys that gauge the public’s opinion on topics relating to parks and recreation. To explore previous Park Pulse survey results, visit nrpa.org/ParkPulse.

To view the interactive charts with the survey results, click here.

To view the full-size infographic, click here.

To learn more about NRPA, visit www.nrpa.org.   

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About the National Recreation and Park Association
The National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) is the leading not-for-profit organization dedicated to building strong, vibrant, and resilient communities through the power of parks and recreation. With more than 60,000 members, NRPA advances this mission by investing in and championing the work of park and recreation professionals and supporters — the catalysts for positive change in service of parks for all, climate-readiness, and overall health and well-being. For more information, visit www.nrpa.org. For digital access to NRPA’s flagship publication, Parks & Recreation, visit www.parksandrecreation.org.