“Digital Tools for Nurturing Children’s Connection to Nature” – A Proposal by Ecological Engineer Nadina Galle

According to Nadina Galle, an ecological engineer and author of “The Nature of Our Cities,” while not all screen time is detrimental, there is a way to foster children’s connection to nature through technology. She compares it to using dating apps to facilitate initial interactions before moving to real-life experiences. Some recommended digital tools for encouraging outdoor exploration include the iNaturalist app for identifying plants and animals, the augmented reality game “Agents of Discovery” for completing local challenges, the plant and animal identification app EarthSnap, and the personalized nature prescription app NatureDose for tracking outdoor time. These tools can enhance outdoor experiences, promote learning, and serve as educational resources both before and after spending time outside. Parents should also lead by example and aim to spend at least two hours in nature weekly, as studies have shown that failing to do so can result in missed mental and physical health benefits.