National Wildlife Federation and ScottsMiracle-Gro Break Ground on Charlotte Natural Play Area

CHARLOTTE, N.C., Oct. 10, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Volunteers from National Wildlife Federation (NWF), ScottsMiracle-Gro and Charlotte Nature Museum convened yesterday to begin transforming outdoor spaces into natural playgrounds for Charlotte kids, with an eye toward eventually increasing opportunities for children nationwide to engage in unstructured play in and with nature.

The Charlotte Natural Playscape, which is scheduled to be officially unveiled in the spring of 2012, is the first in a series of planned Natural Play Areas intended to increase natural play opportunities.

Through ScottsMiracle-Gro's support, the groups will also collaborate on a homeowner 'how-to' guide and model installation that focus on how parents can transform their own backyards into natural play and learning areas for their families.

Dedicated to helping homeowners create and care for yards and gardens that entire families can enjoy, ScottsMiracle-Gro believes it has a role in encouraging children and adults to engage in the outdoors as a wellness activity. Marketing efforts, community involvement activities and partnerships will continue to emphasize the importance of spending time engaging with plants and wildlife as a physical, emotional and spiritual element in living a healthy lifestyle.

"We need to cultivate the next generation of caretakers of nature-–and where best to start than in one's own backyard?" said Jan Valentic, Senior Vice President of Regional Marketing for ScottsMiracle-Gro. "We are very excited about the partnership with NWF and Charlotte Nature Museum – to create a showcase that helps parents learn how easy it is to create a healthy and innovative landscape for their children to be stimulated by nature's color, fragrance, texture, sound and taste – and to create natural settings that inspire imaginative play in and with flora and fauna."

"The health and developmental benefits of regular contact with nature for children are significant, and this project will help bring nature to the daily lives of children," said Allen Cooper, coordinator for the National Play and Learning Areas project at National Wildlife Federation. "The Natural Play & Learning Area Guidelines project seeks to transform America's playgrounds, schoolyards, childcare centers, museums and zoos into quality natural play and learning areas. National Wildlife Federation and the Natural Learning Initiative at NC State University will develop guidelines for natural play areas, and bring rich natural play and learning to the daily lives of every child."

"Charlotte Nature Museum's roots are firmly planted in connecting children and families to the natural world.  The creation of this Playscape allows children to inquire, reflect, take risks, run and play all while inculcating a sense of wonder and excitement about the outdoors," said Lisa Hoffman, Director of Charlotte Nature Museum. "It affords kids the opportunity to be kids, while educating parents on best practices that can be implemented at home."

The average American spends nine hours a day exposed to electronic media and just four to seven minutes playing outside. In the last two decades, childhood has moved indoors partly due to this trend, even as research shows that children who spend regular time outdoors are healthier, happier and grow up with a love of nature. National Wildlife Federation encourages all Americans to Be Out There™ and give back to our children what they may not even know they've lost:  a connection to the natural world.

Since its formation in 1936, National Wildlife Federation has worked with affiliates across the country to inspire Americans to protect wildlife for future generations. NWF seeks to engage and educate its 4 million members, partners and supporters with a focus on restoring habitat, confronting global warming and connecting people with nature. To learn more about NWF's efforts to get kids outside, visit www.nwf.org/beoutthere.

With approximately $3 billion in worldwide sales, The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company, through its wholly-owned subsidiary, The Scotts Company LLC, is the world's largest marketer of branded consumer products for lawn and garden care. The Company's brands are the most recognized in the industry. In the U.S., the Company's Scotts®, Miracle-Gro® and Ortho® brands are market-leading in their categories, as is the consumer Roundup® brand, which is marketed in North America and most of Europe exclusively by Scotts and owned by Monsanto. In Europe, the Company's brands include Weedol®, Pathclear®, Evergreen®, Levington®, Miracle-Gro®, KB®, Fertiligene® and Substral®. For additional information, visit www.scotts.com.

Charlotte Nature Museum offers visitors the chance to get close to wildlife and walk among free-flying butterflies in Butterfly Pavilion, observe live animals in Creature Cavern, buzz by Insect Alley or just hang out in Our Big Backyard. Visitors can learn together during workshops, summer camps and more. Daily programming including hands-on activities provide the opportunity for structured learning and informal play for kids of all ages. Charlotte Nature Museum is operated by Discovery Place, Inc. For more information visit www.charlottenaturemuseum.org.

SOURCE The Scotts Company