Richard Louv a journalist and author of ten books, including Last Child in the Woods, The Nature Principle and Vitamin N. Translated into 20 languages, his books introduced the term “nature-deficit disorder,” and have helped launch an international movement to connect children, their families and communities to nature. In addition to his role as a journalist and author, Richard Louv is co-founder and chair emeritus of the nonprofit Children & Nature Network, which supports a new nature movement through partnerships with such organizations as the National League of Cities. In 2008, he was awarded the Audubon Medal, presented by the National Audubon Society. Prior recipients have included Rachel Carson, E. O. Wilson, Sir David Attenborough and President Jimmy Carter.

His new book, Our Wild Calling: How Connecting With Animals Can Transform Our Lives – And Save Theirs, was published in November 2019. His books have been translated and published in 24 countries.
Among other awards, Louv is the recipient of the Cox Award, Clemson University’s highest honor, for “sustained achievement in public service.” Louv speaks frequently around the world, including keynote addresses presented at the national American Academy of Pediatrics National Conference; the first White House Summit on Environmental Education; the Outdoor Industry Association’s national conference; the Congress of the New Urbanism. He was also the keynote speaker at the International Healthy Parks Conference in Melbourne, Australia; the national Friends of Nature Conference in Beijing, China; the international EuroParc conference in Scotland; and the North American Wildlife Association conference in Manitoba, Canada.

Louv has written for the New York Times, Outside magazine, Sierra magazine, Orion Magazine, and Parents, among other publications, and he has appeared on CBS This Morning, NBC’s Today Show, ABC’s Good Morning America, NPR's Talk of the Nation, and others. He and his wife, Kathy Frederick Louv, are the parents of two young men, Jason and Matthew.