Indian Creek’s ‘Outdoor Ann’ Named Environmentalist of the Year

If there’s one thing Ann Niednagel is passionate about, it’s getting kids outdoors. In fact, it is because of this very passion that Niednagel, an Indian Creek Elementary School parent and volunteer, has been named the 2008 Environmentalist of the Year by Indianapolis Power & Light Company (IPL).

Niednagel, who was secretly nominated by a friend, was surprised when on Jan. 30, IPL representatives walked into the classroom in which she was volunteering and announced the honor. Each year the award is given to an Indiana resident who works or volunteers to improve the environment.

“I was shocked,” said Niednagel. “I’m still in awe, because I’m just following my heart.”

Niednagel’s list of contributions is extensive, with her passion for the environment translating into service and action. She volunteers at six different schools, teaching lessons about the environment as well as maintaining and developing outdoor educational space. She has planted butterfly gardens, developed and improved an outdoor lab facility, coordinated other volunteers to help foster a thriving environment, and established an after school club to teach the importance of protecting the outdoors. She does all this while also serving as a resource for classroom lessons and community educational programs.

Niednagel references the book Last Child In the Woods by Richard Louv, as one of her most significant influences and believes that today’s children are losing touch with the outdoors. “Our kids suffer from what Louv calls Nature Deficit Disorder,” she explained. “We have a generation of kids that don’t have an attachment to our outside world. The time they do spend outside is structured, through organized sports or other activities, and they don’t have the time to explore, discover and play.”

“Studies have shown that by just spending time outside, kids can alleviate stress, lessen behavioral issues and form a lifelong love and care of the environment,” she continues. “Without an attachment to the outside world, I don’t see our future being taken care of, because our kids won’t care about it.”

Indian Creek Principal Dennie Brooks said that Niednagel’s contributions to his school are great. “Our kids, who call her Outdoor Ann, just love her. They know that when she’s in the room, or when they’re in the outdoor lab under her direction, they’re going to have fun,” he said. “She comes up with age-appropriate activities for kids and helps them learn in fun ways. Some kids might even think she’s on staff, she’s in our school so often.”

As for the award, Niednagel sees it as an affirmation of her work. “To me, it’s an outside source saying that I’m doing the right thing,” she said. “It’s a nice pat on the back, but I’d be doing this work no matter what.”