News

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Last Child in the Woods Author Richard Louv to Speak at Free Public Event on May 15

Orfalea Foundation co-founder Natalie Orfalea will interview Richard Louv, author of the bestselling Last Child in the Woods, during a free-to-the-public event at the Granada Theater on Tuesday, May 15, at 7:30 p.m.

The event, titled “Saving Our Children–and Ourselves–Through Nature,” will include a brief presentation by Louv, followed by the interview, and concluding with an audience question-and-answer session. Louv’s books will be available for purchase and signing after the event.

Louv will also tour local early childhood education centers participating in the Outdoor Classroom Initiative of the Orfalea Foundation, as well as The Museum Backyard at the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History.

The Boston Globe calls Last Child in the Woods “An absolute must-read for parents.” In it, Louv sparked a national debate that spawned an international movement to reconnect children with nature. He coined the term “nature-deficit disorder,” influenced national policy, and helped inspire campaigns in more than 80 cities, states and provinces throughout North America.

In his most recent book, The Nature Principle: Reconnecting with Life in a Virtual Age, Louv delivers another powerful call to action, this time for adults. Supported by groundbreaking research, he argues that by tapping into the restorative powers of nature, we can boost mental acuity and creativity; promote health and wellness; build smarter and more sustainable businesses, communities and economies; and ultimately strengthen human bonds.

The event is presented by UCSB Arts & Lectures, the Orfalea Foundation, and the Wilderness Youth Project, in collaboration with the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History.