Nature Deficit Disorder

Our youth – the future stewards of Oregon’s rivers and streams – are spending more time inside, disconnected from the natural resources in their communities, and unaware of their needed contributions to improve freshwater health. This is no surprise considering that youth are spending less time outside than at any time in our nation’s history.

The degree to which today’s youth are disconnected from the natural world has sparked a nationwide movement to combat “nature deficit-disorder”. First coined by internationally-known author Richard Louv in his book Last Child in the Woods, nature-deficit disorder links the lack of nature in children’s lives to the rise in obesity, attention disorders and depression. The dialogue among educators, health professionals, parents, developers and conservationists on the staggering divide between children and the outdoors is the basis for The Freshwater Trust's education department and its programs.