I can't imagine what crime a starling might be accused of that he or she would end up in a police lineup. Starlings are law-abiding citizens. Unlike those shifty blue jays ...

http://www.nwf.org

is a strong advocate of letting kids explore outdoors.  But he seems to mean they should be left alone while they do it; their experiences should not be so structured as apparently they are in this program.

On starlings: They are beautiful and entertaining birds in their own way, much maligned.  It is certainly not their fault that their ancestors were captured in Britain, brought to this continent and released in Central Park.  Same with pigeons and house sparrows.

On putting Peterson's Guides into the hands of children: An excellent suggestion from John Bailo!

Chickens deserve our true friendship! So do fish! So do other sentient beings! Let us learn to be kind.

As a young student, it is difficult to understand what parents look for in a neighborhood, when raising children.  However, in a recent class, a guest lecturer discussed the idea of community housing.  These divisions have been developed with the intention to nurture community living.  All the homes fulfill the affordable housing criteria.  The communities have a variety of families with different socioeconomic status and backgrounds. The common thread that all community members share is the desire to create safe community for their kids to grow up in and to instill the importance of respecting the environment.  The homes are surrounded by an organic farm, organic gardens, and a prairie restoration site.  Additionally, there are communal meals and events for the community members to partake in.  I feel this community living is what parents desire, but do not always receive.   The speaker mentioned that kids know one another in the community and parents befriend their neighbors.  Most of these parents are not scared to send their kids outside to play because they know that other parents are watching out for them, as well.    

Today's society has become increasingly isolated.  Our houses are bigger and more spread apart.  It is rare that we know all our neighbors.  As social creatures, this isolation is unhealthy.  Our jobs and home responsibilities cut us off from others, making it difficult for us to feel like we are part of something bigger - a community.  If we cannot get to know our neighbors or trust them, then who can we depend on?  Can we leave children to play in the backyard while we are inside or do we have to be out there with them?  As a future parent, the community housing looks attractive.