"Perhaps on this issue, it's a matter of if you build it, they really will come," said Louv, who has updated research and an expanded action plan in a new edition, which comes out Tuesday, Earth Day. "There is something about these issues that transcends politics and religion."

Louv's new edition of the New York Times best-seller includes a field guide with 100 ideas to get more kids outdoors; 35 discussion points to help community members talk about the importance of nature in their lives; and new research and a progress report on his "Leave No Child Inside" movement.

It also has goals and guidelines for U.S. recreation directors to better connect with youth.

Utah State Parks director Mary Tullius said Louv's work has certainly helped the agency with the ongoing challenge of getting more families outdoors. The topic was a major part of a joint meeting last fall with the National Association of State Park Directors and National Park Service managers.

"We focused on how we could act nationally and locally to make some significant changes," Tullius said. "We live in a state so rich in natural resources and it is so important to make people aware of the opportunities to get outside with their families and friends."

Tullius returned from the meetings determined to expand the role of State Parks in helping Utahns understand the intrinsic value of the outdoors.

To that end, Utah State Parks has developed its ROCKIN' (Reaching Out Connecting Kids In Nature) Utah initiative. The program is designed to help families explore the outdoors - with an emphasis on safely doing so - through Utah's 32 state park venues.

State Park naturalists have been reaching out to the youth and families of Utah through educational and fun activities for years, but the programs have been generated by the staff of individual parks. Showing her commitment to the initiative, Tullius created a leadership position in the Salt Lake office and formed a working group to come up with events and educational plans.

"We will work to expand the initiative based on the success of the program this year," Tullius said.

For Louv, the movement has turned into much more than a book. He now chairs the Children & Nature Network, a nonprofit group with more than 5,000 volunteers dedicated to getting kids outside.

The group proclaimed April as Children and Nature Awareness Month and its Web site - www.cnaturenet.org - lists dozens of activities across the U.S., including some in Utah.

Sheree Denetsosie, a 17-year-old student at the Flagstaff, Ariz., Art and Leadership Academy who has participated in a number of outdoor activities including river trips sponsored by Grand Canyon Youth, said getting outdoors has become an important part of her life.

"The first time I went on the river, it was just so amazing being away from every day life being surrounded by the media and being away from my iPod and cell phone and anything like that," she said. "It was so nice being in a natural state."

Denetsosie, who grew up enjoying her grandparents' ranch, where there was no electricity and running water, worries when she sees her sister always connected to an iPod or texting when the two are trying to have a conversation.

"Youth need to get out into nature to find that human connection," she said. "Being away from electricity gets your imagination to work a lot better than being fed all the information. You share with people who are actually listening to you rather than listening to your iPod."

Cheryl Charles, president of the Children & Nature Network, said providing balance in children's everyday lives is important.

"Children who play outdoors in natural areas on a regular basis are happier, healthier, smarter, more cooperative and more self-confident," she said. "This issue is touching a chord of common sense and a movement to reconnect children and nature is burgeoning globally."

Louv has advice for parents who want to get this kids outside in an age where safety concerns, coupled with the availability of all kinds of virtual gadgets and electronic toys, conspire to keep youngsters indoors.

- Parents need to learn how outdoor experiences influence healthy child development and an ability to learn.

- Parents should explore nature with their kids and focus on the experience, not on information.

- All citizens need to give more support to institutions and organizations such as Boys and Girls Scouts, nature centers and outdoor classrooms.

Then there is the role of communities.

"Communities must not think about this only in terms of programs but must create region-wide campaigns to bring all kinds of people to the battle," he said. "It can't be just conservationists and educators and businesses but all of the above and more."

Contact Tom Wharton at wharton@sltrib.com and Brett Prettyman at brettp@sltrib.com