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You pledged to spend a day outdoors - tell us what you did:
Last Saturday, I joined with over 150 fellow volunteers from all over Southern California to help plant 350 Ponderosa Pine seedlings up in the Angeles Crest Forest in the mountains above Pasadena. It was a beautiful day and about 20 of us camped overnight under the stars...
- Mark, Los Angeles, CA
We visited Saguaro National Monument and saw a diamondback rattlesnake, a Mohave rattlesnake, 3 large jackrabbits, and some quail, it is warm here but snakes are active, bulking up to prepare for hibernation soon. We also visited Colossal Cave National Park and joined a butterfly demonstration, took a walk outside in the garden, saw a few local butterflys and a huge praying mantis.
- Linda D., Tucson, AZ
We celebrated my parents' 50th wedding anniversary by spending the day in the country. We introduced our granddaughters, Cat and Tate to their cousins and great Aunts and Uncles. One Great Uncle painted rocks gold and tossed them in the creek. The children delighted in looking for gold. The other Great Uncle took them 4- wheeling and they rode up to the orchard in search of Little Red Riding Hood's house. And the children met "Chucky," a bobwhite quail who joined the wildlife at "the farm" this spring. A perfect day to pass on the family values of love for the outdoors.
- Liz M., Sterling, VA
Just last week I went on an outing with some other students to the Maryland portion of Assateague Island for the afternoon and evening. It was rewarding to get out of the confines of the city that our school is in and enjoy nature. Not only did I see many wild ponies, as well as other wildlife, but I was also privileged to watch the sunset over the marshlands. The sky was a gorgeous mixture of pinks and purples, and the reflection of the fading light on the water was indescribable. The next morning I was out in a boat on the river by my school and watched the sun rise...I was so grateful that I had had that day of enjoying the great outdoors!
- Tamara F., Maryland
Six years ago I flew off the interstate and landed in a wheelchair. For a person who needs nature as much as food and clean water and air some days are "hell on earth". A few weeks ago I decided to load my mini-van with books, food and water. I went to the zoo in the morning and enjoyed watching the animals and families. Then I went to a park and sat outside and read in between watching birds, butterflies, and squirrels. I can close my eyes and remember places I can never get to again. The sunset was beautiful and my spirit was renewed. Maybe I survived the accident to be one of many who genuinely want to protect the environment.
- Ginny J., Raytown, MO
I spent many wonderful days outside in the mountains of Arizona in Pinetop. Renting a cabin allowed me to trim dead branches from trees, rake up pine needles and leaves with pine cones and branches, prune out dead trees, walk in the sunlight and see the blue sky in between the tall ponderosa pines, with their green pine needles brushing the blue of the sky. I also had the great joy of walking in the moonlight in the ponderosas. What a sweet pleasure. It's a magnificent world in which we live.
- Patricia O., Sun City, AZ
On our one year anniversary of dating, my fiance and I celebrated by going to the Botanical Gardens ~ the same place we had our first date! More recently I found out I have Lupus and on that day after the doctor, we decided to go to the zoo and spend the day outside. With winter coming and my health deteriorating, I may not see too many more days to spend outside so those days I will cherish. I am going to try to be outdoors as much as I can till then though!
- Rose W., Chicago, IL
This last Saturday I spent doing one of my passionately favorite things. I had groups of Girl Scouts (210 in all) AND their Leaders and helping Moms meet me at the old ice house on one of our GS Properties - Camp Hoover, on beautiful Song Lake. I introduced "Leave No Trace" principals and gave them a tour of the Nature Center. Last, I had each Troop practice a song to sing at the campfire that night. I slept snuggly in my tent listening to some of their voices as they faded off to sleep!!
- Chanda V., Manlius, NY
After a long work day in the city, there is nothing better than escaping into the woods. As soon as I arrive at a park and slip into the green canopy of trees, I feel a sense of oneness with the Earth again, no longer disconnected by pavement. Last night, I left the city and embarked on a five mile hike with my pups and best friend. It was so relaxing, and near dusk, we heard the howls of a pack of coyotes. So wonderful it is to have parks within a short drive of bustling cities.
- Becky, Akron, OH
My son Tim lives with his mom in a sea of suburbs, so I took him and his friend Richard to the Stillaguamish River in Washington's Cascade Mountains for a week of camping, hiking and fishing. It took these city kids only a few hours to get in touch with their inner Huck Finn. The only difficult part was getting them into the car for the trip back to town.
- Donald S., Everett, WA
Adventures of an E-POD: Our weekend camping trip began with our E-Pod (Escape Pod) filled with our gear, food, bikes and two hard shell kayaks. We arrived on Saturday night at Beverly Beach Campground just south of Lincoln City, Oregon. Our evening meal was crowned with a cozy campfire, stars, playing guitar and serenading to the little critters darting in and out of our campsite. The next morning began with a stroll on the beach with camera in tow. Photographing beach artifacts, birds, dogs, children and adults at play in the surf along the way, sure made wonderful morning entertainment. Devils Punch Bowl's surf was up and the surfboarders rode the waves like chariot rider's lurching forward behind wild white horses racing to the shore. Read the full story »
- Jadia W., Vancouver, WA
I took my ten-year-old daughter Kate outside for an enitre Saturday. We went on a hike and saw a turtle family, had a picnic and fished at a local pond. The hot summer weather is breaking here and the fall colors are starting to appear. What a wonderful time we had!
- Bob M., Knoxville, TN
A few college friends of mine that I haven't seen in years came to visit recently and instead of spending our time in the city, we decided to go camping for a few days. We drove to a local state park only a few hours away and enjoyed the peace and quiet of nature. It rivaled some of our best times from our college days.
- Ellie P., Kansas City, MO
My favorite outdoor memory from camp:
Some 30 years ago (has it been that long?!) I spent a summer at Camp Lakewood in Missouri's Eastern Ozarks. I had the opportunity to engage in every outdoor activity possible under the sun and stars. But, my most favorite outdoor memory from camp has to be a camping survival clinic. We spent the day turning over rocks in ice cold spring runs for crawdads and collecting reindeer moss lichen and berries to cook up for a survival dinner at the end of the day. That day was an important one of many that inspired my love for plants and the outdoors and led me to a career in Natural Resource Conservation.
- Carolyn R., Tampa, FL
My favorite farmer's market:
Lane County Farmer’s Market, Eugene, Oregon: The delicious, fresh, and very colorful produce that changes throughout the season and the friendly vendors are the highlights of all farmers’ markets. What makes the Lane County Farmer’s Market special is the huge diversity of local products that offer incredible opportunities for treats for ALL the senses and especially food pairings. Feta cheese, salad greens and crusty bread are a favorite mid-day meal after a morning at the Farmer’s Market. Buying locally at our famer’s market is a family event and tradition of taste, beauty and personal connections that we all treasure.
- Gail B., Eugene, OR
My favorite wildlife experience:
My husband and I hike for a week each September in and around Robbinsville, NC. We stay at Snowbird Lodge. Our group was hiking one day to a waterfall, and the first three of our group stepped over the copperhead. It moved and the fourth person saw it. As you can see, it is almost impossible to see it even when you know it is there. Needless to say, we were very vigilant for the rest of the week.
- Arlene H., Dothan, AL
I love spending time with my nephew for a week every summer at our family vacation home in Wisconsin. We often see wildlife when we go exploring around the lake and I find the encounters great opportunities to educate him about the environment and those that live within it.
- Stacy H., Alexandria, VA
Back as a youngster, I remember going on organized high school retreats in the wildlife. These retreats gave us an opportunity to escape the concrete suburbs and venture into foreign lands. It not only opened our eyes to new sights, but it allowed us to experience life in a completely different manner--ultimately bringing together and building friendships that last to this day. I will always cherish my wildlife experience.
- Joe H., Omaha, NE
My favorite regional destination:
I must say that the Blue Ridge Mts. have to be my favorite because I have been there with my sister, my children and my grandson and we have had such special times there... the reaction of my eleven year old grandson when we ascended the Blue Ridge Parkway is one of my happiest memories. He couldn't believe how beautiful the mountain views were and how wildlife roamed about so close to the humans. There were deer, rabbits and more. He was in awe of the beauty and magnificance of nature.(His younger sister went the following year and saw a bear. I regret that I wasn't on that trip to see her joy and amazement.)
My father was from east Texas and my son owns property near the Pineywoods forest. My grandfather worked in a sawmill in the early and mid 1930's and I have been to the Texas Forestry Museum in Lufkin,my father's birthplace. This area is among my favorite destinations as well as having a sentimental attraction to me. I feel fortunate to have so many places I like to visit as well as appreciating the beauty of the place where I live.
- Judith A., Mobile, AL
How are you celebrating Earth Day?
On Earth Day my 15 year old son and I are visiting our legislators in Lansing, MI to discuss phosphorous pollution in our Great Lakes and possible solutions. We are members of a statewide 4-H Youth Conservation Council that has been studying this problem for the last 6 months.
- Mary B., Melvindale, MI
Antelope Valley Conservancy sponsors Trails Not Trash(R) Cleanups in the community, and will celebrate Earth Day with our 14th annual Earth Day Cleanup at Saddleback Butte State Park.
- Wendy R., Quartz Hill, CA
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Spend a day outside with a child this month and tell us what you did. We'll post selected submissions on our website.
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