Ensuring a Kid's Right to Nature
Houston becomes latest city to pass a Children's Outdoor Bill of Rights.
By Alex Martin
When I was a kid, my parents often spoke of an untouched Texas — vast, rugged prairies and deep, green forests. Now you can find yourself in the middle of nowhere and still see power lines stretching across the horizon, and many of us live in cities where green spaces may be few and far between. How do we keep future generations of kids exposed to nature as urban development encroaches?
Increasingly, children are becoming disconnected from the natural world around them. This growing separation poses a threat to their overall well-being, their physical health, and the future sustainability of our local ecosystems and natural resources. In an attempt to ensure that kids have access to nature, the City of Houston has adopted a Children's Outdoor Bill of Rights. The bill, launched via mayoral proclamation in April 2023, defines 12 distinct rights that city leaders believe every child deserves. Houston is the fifth city to adopt such a measure; Austin passed one in 2017.
Tenets of the measure aim to ensure that kids can continue to climb trees, ride bikes, learn about local nature and have safe passage to parks.
Overseen by the Mayor's Office of Education and Youth Engagement, the Houston project was developed by a diverse group of Houstonians, including local government officials, nonprofit professionals, educators, researchers and youth leaders.
Houston residents have received the bill with open arms, according to committee member Jaime González, who is community programs director for The Nature Conservancy. “The reaction to the bill has been very positive; it speaks well to the lived experiences and needs of Houstonians,” González says. “Nature is a basic human right, and everyone should have wildlife-rich, green spaces to enjoy each day. We all want a greener, healthier city for our kids.”
The committee realized that inequities exist across different levels of communities within Houston and shaped a measure that would address those disparities.
Cassandra Lyn, who worked on the initiative as part of the mayor's office, has witnessed these inequities firsthand, which prompted her interest in the Children's Outdoor Bill of Rights. “As a Houston native who grew up in South Park, I personally witnessed inequities that exist in accessing nature and the outdoors,” Lyn says. “Growing up, my community did not have easy access to accessible resources, safe trails, equitably invested parks or other outdoor recreational areas like other communities in the city of Houston. However, this bill gives our generation and underrepresented communities like mine hope for a more equitable future.”
Time in the outdoors has been shown to have positive health benefits for kids. As the fourth most populous city in the U.S., Houston saw the need to spark accessibility to the outdoors to promote children's health and happiness. “All of Houston's children deserve to enjoy their planet and the many benefits that nature and the outdoors have to offer regardless of ZIP code, race or income level,” Lyn says.
Children's Bill of Rights for Houston
Safe Routes: Children have the right to safe and accessible routes to outdoor spaces in their communities.
Access to Shade: Children have the right to adequate shade in the outdoors.
School Grounds as Green Spaces: Children have the right to connect with nature on their school grounds.
Equitable Park Investments: Children have the right to equitably funded public parks regardless of ZIP code.
Youth Participation and Engagement: Children have the right to discover leadership opportunities to be stewards of nature.
Accessibility for All Abilities: Children have the right to be included and accommodated with accessible outdoor environments.
Climate Resilience: Children deserve climate resilience to protect their well-being and ensure a sustainable future.
Mental Health and Wellness: Children have the right to experience the mental health and holistic wellness benefits of engaging with nature.
Native Plants and Wildlife: Children have the right to see and experience native wildlife and plants in their local park and green spaces.
Affordability: Children have the right to free or low-cost outdoor programming.
Healthy Air Quality: Children have the right to breathe fresh and clean air.
Safety Awareness: Children have the right to learn how to be safe in the outdoors.
