It’s been nearly 30 years since my dad created Captain Planet and the Planeteers, a cartoon series featuring “a superhero for the Earth,” becoming the world’s first-ever edutainment ‘eco-toon.’ Young viewers were empowered to become part of “the solution” rather than “the pollution!”
Captain Planet’s legacy continues today as a worldwide movement of youth whose lives were inspired by its message. Millennial Planeteers are a living testament to the idea that children who are engaged in making the world a better place emerge as self-reliant, emotionally intelligent Eco-Champions.
In the words of Captain Planet: “The Power Is Yours!”
In honor of the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day, the Captain Planet Foundation will live stream classic episodes of Captain Planet and the Planeteers from their Facebook Page tomorrow, April 22nd, and the following Wednesday, April 29th at 6:30 EST.
If Earth is in trouble, there’s only one person to call: Captain Planet! With help from Gaia, the Planeteers’ powers of Earth, Fire, Water, Wind, and Heart combine to defend the world against the evils of Looten Plunder, Duke Nukem, Sly Sludge, Dr. Blight and the rest of the eco-villains!
Tune in at 6:30pm EST on 4/22 & 4/29 to Catch a Classic Episode
Sign up for free virtual cooking classes with Chef Asata Reid, founder of Feed the People to create a nutritious and delicious dish the whole family can enjoy!
See the schedule and register here!
Jenna Mobley, Community Farmers Market’s Director of Education Programs, reads Jack’s Garden, a beautifully illustrated book about the life cycle of plants.
Click here for more Story Time with Jenna
Captain Planet Foundation’s Project Hero Quests combine on-screen learning and off-screen exploration that culminate in students designing and implementing a hands-on project.
In the Pollinator Quest, children will learn about pollinators in their community and become heroes by creating or protecting habitat for them to live and thrive. Children will learn how pollinators are keystone species, and that by helping pollinators they are also helping other species within the ecosystem who depend on these pollinators!
In the Soil Quest, kids can become heroes in their community by restoring the health of the soil around them. Learning that soil affects the food we eat, the nutrients our natural ecosystems need, the air we breathe, and the climate that makes our planet habitable.
The Ecosense for Living series, hosted by my sister, Jennie Turner Garlington, just launched on PBS Learning with 4 new episodes on PBS stations around the country for Earth Month.
Addressing our current crisis and the human condition, my friend Richard Louv (pictured above) says it best: “Staying saner goes better with nature.”
Noted author, journalist, and Nature-Deficit expert, Louv stresses the importance of children’s and adults’ exposure to nature for their health. Recently, he wrote a thoughtful article for Children and Nature Network titled “10 Nature Activities to Help Get Your Family Through the Corona Virus Pandemic.” Some of my favorites include planting a family or friendship tree, build a backyard wildlife habitat, or gifting a book that will inspire children to head outdoors.
You can read the full article at childrenandnature.org.
To learn more about Louv, his thought-provoking interviews are featured in the two episodes of EcoSense for Living listed below.
In this episode of EcoSense for Living, we explore “Nature Deficit Disorder,” a term coined by Richard Louv, that encapsulates the effects children suffer when they lose contact with nature.
This episode of Ecosense for Living highlights human beings’ deep-seated connections to nature. In his book, Our Wild Calling, journalist Richard Louv challenges us to understand and appreciate our link to animals.
Not everything we love to do is on hold…
Our friends at Children and Nature Network (C&NN) understand that meaningful outdoor experiences benefit children and inspire them to love and care for nature. Their Cities Connecting Children to Nature initiative creates more equitable and abundant access to nature in cities and offers city officials and their partners support and guidance to enhance connections between children and nature.
Time spent in nature makes children healthier, happier and smarter. When cities reimagine themselves as places of nature connection, neighborhoods become more vibrant, natural places become community assets, and children and families thrive.
C&NN has also shared resources from like-minded organizations like Nature Play WA to ensure you never run out of fun nature-based activities.
Learn more at findingnature.org
Until our classrooms are open again, we join so many in extending our sincere gratitude to educators across the world in this time of strife. You are loved and missed! And remember: Nature isn’t cancelled – and can be the perfect classroom this Earth Day!
