The National Wildlife Federation Joins WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE To Get Kids Outdoors

The National Wildlife Federation has teamed with the upcoming feature film WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE to launch Be Out There^TM, a national campaign to get families and kids to spend daily time outdoors for their health, happiness, and well-being. Directed by Spike Jonze and based on Maurice Sendak's classic book, WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE is an adventure for every generation in the story of a young boy who feels misunderstood at home and escapes to the island of the Wild Things. As an education partner for the film, the National Wildlife Federation shows kids how they can escape into nature and learn about the wild things wherever they live.

Be Out There^TM is a National Wildlife Federation initiative to give American children a connection to the natural world. Time outside improves children's physical, mental, and emotional health as well as classroom performance. Be Out There^TM engages American families and communities, educators and healthcare practitioners, corporate leaders and policymakers in helping to raise happier, healthier kids with a life-long appreciation of nature.

"Children who play outside are more physically active, more creative, less aggressive, and show better concentration in school. Some say it takes a village to raise a child. I say it takes a backyard, a playground, a park," said Jaime Matyas, National Wildlife Federation's Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer.

"Warner Bros. is pleased to partner with the National Wildlife Federation and the Be Out There^TM campaign, in their effort to help kids connect with nature in their neighborhoods, schools, and communities. Discovering the natural world while playing outdoors is a great way for kids to exercise not only their bodies, but their creativity and curiosity," said Nicole Sedita, Warner Bros. Vice President for National Promotions.

With a wealth of resources to offer, the National Wildlife Federation wants to inspire kids to view the outdoors as their favorite play space, a space where it's ok to just be - free to imagine, discover, and daydream. Children, parents, and teachers can explore ideas for wild outdoor fun at www.BeOutThere.org; online visitors can download a National Wildlife Federation WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE poster and activity guides including fun ways to build a fort just like wild things do, or developing ways to find wild creatures right in their neighborhoods. Kids can find out how to be part of National Wild Rumpus Day, and learn how to join the Be Out There^TM movement to connect kids with nature at home, in school, and in their community.

The National Wildlife Federation is the nation's largest conservation organization, publisher of children's magazines Ranger Rick®, Your Big Backyard®, and Wild Animal Baby®. The National Wildlife Federation educates and motivates more than five million members, partners, affiliates, and supporters to seek solutions to reduce global warming, protect and restore wildlife habitat, and connect people of all ages with nature. For more information, visit www.nwf.org.

WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE opens in theaters October 16, 2009.

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