Conservation group asks supervisors to adopt 'Children's Outdoor Bill of Rights' to expand nature access for young children

Dubuque County Conservation and partner organizations presented the Dubuque Nature Everywhere vision and asked the Board of Supervisors to adopt the Dubuque Children's Outdoor Bill of Rights (COBAR), a nonfinancial pledge and implementation plan intended to increase everyday access to nature for children age 0–6.

"Our mission is simple. It's to connect all young children age 0 to 6 to nature every day," Caitlin, outreach coordinator for Dubuque County Conservation, said, summarizing the initiative. Presenters described community engagement activities, equity mapping, site visits from national organizations and a leadership team with partners from conservation, childcare referral, Wander Woods Garden and school districts.

The COBAR lists ten experiences organizers say every child should have — including safe exploration of neighborhoods and parks, opportunities to play in mud and sand, splash in clean rivers and lakes, and quiet time in nature. Presenters emphasized the initiative is meant to accelerate existing city and county programs and to support equitable outreach beyond the City of Dubuque into smaller towns and rural areas.

Supervisor Anne asked how the countywide process had engaged residents outside Dubuque city limits; organizers said they conducted digital surveys and public events across the county and will continue outreach in smaller communities. The presentation did not request county funding; presenters asked for formal adoption and moral support to help with fundraising and grant work going forward.