Looking for Outdoor Service Project Ideas

I was recently contacted about the possibility of hosting an outdoor service project next Spring for the Sunflower Society. We are looking at the month of April to be exact. I would like to elicit some feedback about what would make a great kid friendly service project. April is a great time to plant trees and other shrubs in the ground. Spring might offer a host of other service project opportunities that would be just right for children and their parents. Please post your ideas in the comments section below.

Dishman Hills Hike 11/28 @ 10:00 AM- Meet at Camp Caro

Rain or Shine we'll be hiking through Dishman Hills Natural Area Sunday November 28th. There might be some snow on the ground so we will pick a trail that doesn't have too many slippery sections. Most children find the "enchanted ravine" to be interesting so we will head there first. The parking is limited outside the gate, so please park on the western side of the road (right hand side-as you drive in) and comply with the local residents wishes. The park looks closed because the chain link gates are closed keeping cars out of the parking lot, but don't worry we can still go hiking.

It can be a lot of fun to return to the same area with children during all four seasons. Dishman Hills is a natural preserve that abuts the City of Spokane Valley. More can be read about this area by vising the Natural Area Association's website. This natural area is one of the many great assets Spokane has to offer. Not every city has a play-space this close. A map of the area can be found here.

Wolverines: Chasing the Phantom

Sunday 7pm KSPS

Wolverine: Chasing the Phantom: The wolverine, the largest member of the weasel family, is spotlighted. The solitary creature, which is native to the upper reaches of the northern hemisphere, is a fearsome predator capable of taking down prey as large as a moose.

Wolverines!

There will be a presentation at Auntie's Bookstore on Friday, November 12th at 7pm by wildlife biologist Douglas Chadwick. Doug will be discussing the ecology and behavior of the rare and endangered wolverine. As you may or may not know, wolverines now number fewer than 500, and possibly fewer than 300, south of Canada. New research has shown them to be closely associated with habitats with a deep, lingering snowpack and year-round cool temperatures. In fact, they are so closely tied to these factors that they are practically a land-based version of the better-known polar bear when it comes to the potential impacts of climate change. Wolverines' territories turn out to be so enormous that they stand as perhaps the lowest-density carnivore on the continent. This makes the scattered enclaves of these animals a prime example of the need for wildland connectivity -- for corridors, for conservation strategies that ensure their freedom to roam.

Doug has authored several books on wildlife and is a frequent contributor to National Geographic magazine.

Please come out and show your support for local conservation.

Thanks, Chris

The Road to Recovery

Knee surgery has put the outings on hold for the last two weeks. Keep checking for posts, we will be hiking, hitting the outdoors again soon. If you have ideas for a day trip, post a comment and we will get it posted to the blog. Be well, and get outside, Chris

Oh my, it's time for some mycology

Mushroom Hike!

Liberty Lake County Park

Sunday October 3rd, 9:00 AM.

Join the Sunflower Society on a hike sponsored by the Inland NW Land Trust, a group of local experts working with landowners and other partners to preserve the living landscapes that define eastern Washington and Northern Idaho.

For the hike, meet at the trailhead for the loop trail (located in the campground) in Liberty Lake County Park for a hike that will be led by local outdoor enthusiast Rich Leon. This hike will focus on locating and identifying local fall mushrooms. Rich is a member of the Spokane Mushroom Club and an avid nature photographer (he deserves the photo credit for the one above). He has written several local nature trail guides published by the local group of the Sierra Club.

Wowing Audiences and Winning Awards

Tonight Chris Bachman and I acted on an invitation to talk about the Sunflower Society at the child care center down at the community building at 35 West Main St. I have known about the Reggio Inspired Community Building Children's Center for a few years now, but tonight was really impressive to learn more about how they work with children. I got to dig around in their worm bin, and was impressed by how they talk about the cycle of life when the children find something as simple as a dead bird on the playground. The quotes of the children's reactions to examining the dead bird up close were raw and beautiful. They noticed the birds eyes and empathized about how sad it was that the bird died. Tonight was a part of the Community Minded Enterprises Sustainable September line up of events. I became motivated to bring some great ideas home from tonight.

Here are two ideas shared tonight that were so good that they are worth mentioning here. The first is a concept put into action, and the second idea only requires dirt. The first idea is "loose ends" toys and games. These are ones that don't have fixed outcomes, but that can become anything and go a myriad of different ways. The concrete example pitched tonight involved a set of sticks and thick twigs that parents can cut the edges off and sanded down to be nice and smooth. With a little string and some yards of cloth the children built the most amazing school yard forts. I am definitely going to start foraging for downed sticks and start a collection for my children soon. The second idea was a tasting and smelling garden. A simple but effective way to foster experiential education right in your backyard.

Chris and I took the stage to talk about the Sunflower Society, but not until after John Thielbahr from the Children & Nature Network spoke to the audience of 30 parents assembled. He did a great job laying the foundation of why and how nature clubs for families make so much sense. His presentation was much like how I imagine Richard Louv, the founder of the nature clubs for families movement, would have done.

I hope that some of our audience members will come join us on a outing in the near future. After all, one of the co-founders of the Sunflower Society now has national prominence. Chris Bachman almost didn't make this speaking engagement because he just returned from San Francisco, where he accepted the Madelyn Pyeatt Award from the Sierra Club in recognition for his work with youth in the Spokane Inner City Outings program.

These presentations and press coverage opportunities will soon end, and we will be back on track with some more outdoor family fun.