PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • August 30, 2021
A troubling report in the Portland Press Herald stated, “The number of adolescents who attempt suicide has risen dramatically.” We have an immediate opportunity to care for ourselves and our youth with more exposure to the natural world. Here in Maine we are lucky to often be proximate to nature, but that does not mean it’s accessible. We need programs, training and requirements to keep us from backsliding inside. Teach ME Outside helps all Maine youth have access to hands-on environmental learning opportunities. And Teens to Trails’ partnership with the Maine Department of Education is paying schools to start outdoor clubs. Let’s elevate outdoor time at school and ensure that co-curricular activities are given the same priority as competitive sports. ~ Alicia Heyburn, Teens to Trails, Brunswick