Fishin' Buddies App Connects Chicago Youth With Nature

Nathan Woodside
Published: June 17, 2013
Related to: Chicagoland eTeam

A new mobile app will help Chicago youth connect with the outdoors.

Fishin’ Buddies, a non-profit organization dedicated to introducing urban children to the outdoors through conservation and environmental education programs was awarded $49,000 through the Illinois Broadband Innovation fund to further its mission through mobile technology.

“The app that we’re putting together will open up the door for more minorities to understand what the (Sandridge Nature Center) actually offers,” said John Kidd Jr., founder of Fishin’ Buddies.

The app will feature the types of plants and animals that inhabit the preserve. Kidd said the app will focus on Sandridge Nature Center in South Holland because of its award-winning attractions.  

“It’s so important to get out and find out what’s going on around you,” Kidd said. “Most young kids don’t get out because they don’t know what’s around them. If they’ve got a free app, they can pull that out and maybe they’ll see something they want to do. It’s important to get more young kids involved in technology.”