Passion for health and natural living can come from spending time outside and gaining an understanding of nature and animals. This is the main concept of Robert Bateman's "Get to Know" program. Bateman, Canada's most celebrated wildlife artist, has spent the last decade helping young people get to know their wild neighbours.

As the media and marketers know, "eco" is in, so the time is right for eco-fundraising to shine. This is fundraising designed to increase awareness of and love for the environment while it ­increases funds for a desired project at the same time. It was eco-fundraising that brought internationally recognized Robert Bateman to Kelowna, BC this past summer.  The largest organic winery in Canada, Summerhill launched a new series of wines featuring labels with Bateman's exquisite artwork. One dollar from every bottle of wine purchased goes to the Get to Know program to connect young people with their environment. 

The Robert Bateman Get to Know program is based on the philosophy that "caring begins with knowing our neighbours of other species." The idea is that young people who are more in tune with the environment will be more conscious and aware of how their actions affect the planet we all live on. This awareness may help the younger people benefit ­individually as well.

"Being out in nature has undeniable health benefits," Bateman explains, "Of course [kids who are in nature] are less likely to struggle with obesity, ADHD, mental illness and diabetes and are less likely to have to take drugs. In the very young, it's very good to explore in unsupervised wild nature; it develops the human brain way more than anything on a screen ever could."

Bateman says he focuses on young people because they are so impressionable and ready to take in information. "I've heard it said that the average North American young person can recognize over 1,000 corporate logos, but they don't know the names of 10 species that share their own air and their own space," he said, "I think that's atrocious." 

Of course, getting outside and getting active is important for adults as well. Bateman points out that research has ­proven that cardiac patients with windows that open out to a view of nature experience better and faster recovery. This is because nature has been an integral part of human history, up until the last few years where we have distanced ourselves from it. 

If we look at the current health of the average North American, it appears that distancing ourselves from nature has proven detrimental. We could all benefit from the advice to get outside, get moving and learn more about the wonderful, natural world around us. As for eco-fundraising, helping young people and making the world a better place by buying wine is an idea many of us are happy to support!

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