Dr. Andrew Weil, bestselling author of natural healing books, has cited that one of the causes of the dramatic increase of depression is our modern tendency to isolate ourselves from our community.

"When air conditioners came in, it was possible to stay inside in your house and separate ourselves from our community," said Andrew. "It is increasingly possible to live in your own little cocoon and have virtual connections rather than real connections. And I think that's taken away one of the major emotional supports that people had in the past."

I firmly believe that the same factors have made it too easy for our kids to detach themselves from nature.

Pam Mistretta is a friend and a great mom that has made it a point to make sure nature plays a large part in her kids' lives.

"To me, being in physical (which leads to spiritual) touch with the natural world is good and healthy and an absolute necessity for peace and happiness," Pam told me. "So from the time my kids were babies, I made small efforts to expose them to the outdoors beyond our living quarters. I brought them to parks, playgrounds, and out into the backyard and garden. I encouraged them to get their hands dirty and not to worry about their clothes. Dirt is good, I always told them. I will never get mad at you for getting dirty playing outside in nature; we can always do the laundry. Now that they are older, I teach them the names of birds, butterflies and wildflowers we encounter on our walks and in our yard."

Now, I haven't completely become that crotchety old man that thinks that everything was better back in the good old days. Some things really do get better, such as the great nearby nature centers that make it easy for parents to re-introduce our children to nature. Growing up, we never could have imagined amazing places like DeKorte Park, Mill Creek Marsh and Teaneck Creek. The environment is much cleaner than when I was growing up, and birds like the peregrine falcon and bald eagle have made a dramatic comeback to New Jersey.

Great nature centers exist in almost every community, or within close driving distance, where we can bring our kids and instill in them the real life 3-D movie of nature. In inner cities where a natural area is not accessible to kids, we need to find ways to get them there and also bring more environmental education to their classrooms.

Only when people learn to love nature will they fight to protect it. Our kids are the next generation that will battle to keep the water and air clean, protect endangered species, and save critical habitat. Fred Rogers, our most beloved neighbor, once said "One of the greatest dignities of humankind is that each successive generation is invested in the welfare of each new generation."

It is up to us to help our children grow up a like we did, with a love of nature and a little wilderness in their hearts.