National Wildlife Federation Early Childhood Health Outdoors Initiative Receives Grant to Improve Access to Healthy Outdoor Play Spaces

DENVER - Early Childhood Health Outdoors (ECHO) has received a $200,000 grant from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation to bolster organization's goal of reimagining early childhood playgrounds as dynamic, engaging and healthy outdoor learning environments.

"Expanding equitable access to daily, high-quality outdoor play and learning for all young children brings a host of physical and mental health benefits and reduces disparities in health and well-being," said ECHO Director Rebecca Colbert. "This investment from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation supports our growth to enhance both our advocacy and services so we're able to benefit even more children and families."

The funding will allow for the formation of an advisory council to assist ECHO in identifying areas for growth and developing strategies to replicate the initiative's work on a wider scale. In addition, the grant will support ongoing development and coordination with national leaders to influence policy and increase awareness at the state level.

"ECHO's team envisions a future where young children experience the wonders of the natural world beginning from birth, inspiring lifelong environmental stewardship," said Colbert. "To achieve this, we provide customized design solutions, resources, and training so adults who care for young children are empowered with the skills they need to confidently engage infants, toddlers, and preschoolers in developmentally supportive outdoor activities," she continued.

About Early Childhood Health Outdoors In partnership with caregivers, communities, and policy makers, ECHO transforms early childhood settings and systems to ensure that every young child has opportunities to thrive in healthy outdoor environments every day. By combining expertise in landscape architecture and early childhood education, ECHO provides customized design solutions and professional development opportunities to support caregivers in engaging young children in the benefits and wonder of time spent outdoors. ECHO uses their national platform to elevate the needs of young children and their caregivers and to advocate for policies and resources that support the fundamental right for all children to benefit from time outdoors from birth. For more information, email [email protected] or visit at NWF.org/ECHO. About the W.K. Kellogg Foundation The W.K. Kellogg Foundation (WKKF), founded in 1930 as an independent, private foundation by breakfast cereal innovator and entrepreneur Will Keith Kellogg, is among the largest philanthropic foundations in the United States. Guided by the belief that all children should have an equal opportunity to thrive, WKKF works with communities to create conditions for vulnerable children so they can realize their full potential in school, work and life. The Kellogg Foundation is based in Battle Creek, Michigan, and works throughout the United States and internationally, as well as with sovereign tribes. Special attention is paid to priority places where there are high concentrations of poverty and where children face significant barriers to success. WKKF priority places in the U.S. are in Michigan, Mississippi, New Mexico and New Orleans; and internationally, are in Mexico and Haiti. For more information, visit https://www.wkkf.org.