"Connect" - Chimon Island looking at Copps Island
Friends of the Norwalk Islands, Inc.
“Connecting Kids with Nature”
What does it mean to be connected with nature?
The feel of sand between your toes, the smell of a sea breeze as it blows across your face, the wonder of watching birds soar overhead. All of these are part of our relationship with nature.
Even just five minutes a day engaging with the natural world can substantially improve our mental, emotional and physical health. Children, as well as adults, benefit from being outdoors. Taking time to introduce our children to nature has been shown to enhance academic performance, foster self-esteem and increase physical activity.
The Norwalk Islands offer us the chance to fully experience the natural world. These offshore habitats support a diverse array of wildlife and vegetation that amplify our quality of life by providing commercial, recreational and cultural opportunities. But the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection has identified the Norwalk Islands as one of the 13 most imperiled natural communities in state. Which is why the Friends of the Norwalk Islands is dedicated to safeguarding this remarkable ecosystem through education and community outreach.
In partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and others, our mission is to conserve, protect and enhance the environmental, recreational, commercial and cultural significance of the Norwalk Islands, and to build awareness of the National Wildlife Refuge System.
We provide educational opportunities for children and adults to experience and appreciate all that the Norwalk Islands have to offer. Working in collaboration with like-minded organizations, we broaden outreach and build awareness through public access and recreational activities. And with initiatives like our Nature of Learning program, we continually strive to have a positive impact on our communities and the environments they share.
You can help connect kids with nature. A $50 donation will buy a ”Lets Go Outside” backpack.
"Connect" - Chimon Island looking at Copps Island
