$75 non-members

$65 GROW members

**Tickets include a signed copy of Vitamin N**

Join GROW Education as we welcome Richard Louv in this fundraiser to create a Nature Play space at BRIT.

Recent research suggests that exposure to nature can improve all children's cognitive abilities and resistance to negative stresses and depression. In 2008, University of Michigan researchers demonstrated that, after just an hour interacting with nature, memory performance and attention spans improved by 20 percent. Not long ago, researchers at the University of Kansas reported a 50 percent boost in creativity for people who were steeped in nature for a few days. as the research suggests, a case can be made that nature time can improve adult cognitive and creative functioning. Useful anytime, especially in the current job market. Businesses, too, can become nature-smart.

Richard Louv is a journalist and author of nine books, including Last Child in the Woods: Saving our Children from Nature-Defecit Disorder, The Nature Principle; and Vitamin N. Translated and published in 24 countries, his books have helped launch an international movement to connect families and communities to nature. In 2008, he was awarded the Audubon Medal, presented by the National Audubon Society. Prior recipients included Rachel Carson, E.O. Wilson and President Jimmy Carter. Among other awards, Louv is also the recipient of the Cox Award for 2007, Clemson University's highest honor, for "sustained achievement in public service." He speaks frequently around the world, including keynote addresses at the American Academy of Pediatrics National Conference, the first White House Summit on Environmental Education, the Congress for the New Urbanism, and the Friends of Nature Conference in Beijing, China. He is chairman emeritus of the nonprofit Children & Nature Network.

GROW Members are invited to a wine and cheese reception honoring Richard Louv just prior to the lecture, from 5:30 - 7:00 PM.

Not a member? Become a member today by visiting fwgrow.org.