Nature Links for Life long Learning announces an exciting new partnership with the Historic Virginia Key Beach Park Trust. Beginning with introductory sessions to begin by early November, NL seeks to address the needs of young adults over 22 years old with disabilities by providing unique opportunities for regular programming focused on continuing education, health and exercise, job training and social activities for a population so often overlooked in South Florida.
Reconnecting young people with natural world in ways that combine fun and fellowship with learning and the potential for productive careers is the central goal. “The facilities at Virginia Key Trust are ideal for this program. We believe there can be great synergy in all of this,” said Gene Tinnie of HVKBT. Program elements includes organic gardening, habitat restoration, animal rescue, learning about weather, sea life, healthy bodies, and using the existing concession stand to learn cooking and marketing of produce. Community Dinners are planned in the future.
Building on the successful Project Bridge program begun in 2007, aimed at high school age students, located at Shake a Leg Miami and funded and run by the Miami Dade County Public School, NL now seeks to expand and add another location by addressing the needs of those over 22 years of age.
By providing opportunities for both young adults with special needs and integrating their learning and social lives with college age students and other volunteers, NL seeks to provide a holistic relationship with many facets of the natural world. In recent years, a host of new organizations have been formed around the world to reconnect people to the natural world, including the writings of Richard Louv and his Children & Nature Network. In South Florida, Earth Learning and other organizations have sought to expand local interest in organic food.
Nature Links seeks to create a curriculum and protocols for a variety of business and non-profit partnerships to assist in educating, training and enhancing the lives of those with disabilities – and others- in the coming years. “Forging models of behavior that foster more consciousness of healthy habits and the benefits of the natural world will assist all residents,” said Nature Links founder and UM professor Gregory Bush.
For further information about becoming part of the Nature Links movement – as a donor, volunteer educator, organizational partner, professional or participant, contact us.
Contact: Gregory Bush, Director, 305-926-5001; publicbush@gmail.com
Or Jennifer Balfe, Assoc Director, 305-965-0817; jenna.balfe@gmail.com
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