Reflection, encouragement, and relationship building are all important aspects of getting a new habit to stick.
Share thoughts, encourage others, and reinforce positive new habits on the Feed.
To get started, share “your why.” Why did you join the challenge and choose the actions you did?
Sustainable Outdoor Recreation lunch and learn from the NYS DEC - notes Laura DiBetta, Director of Outdoor Recreation presented some tips to explore the outdoors. Adventure NY multi-year outdoor rec campaign announced in 2017
Expand access to recreation (upgrades to facilities, new facilities, accessible boardwalks, all ages)
Connect people to nature and the outdoors ( Coming soon: NYS Birding Trail )
Protect NY's natural resources
Boost local economies
Leave No Trace (lnt.org) 7 principles - guidelines not rules or policy although policy is created via these principles What are the Leave No Trace seven principles?
The 7 Principles
Plan Ahead & Prepare.
Travel & Camp on Durable Surfaces.
Dispose of Waste Properly.
Leave What You Find.
Minimize Campfire Impacts.
Respect Wildlife.
Be Considerate of Other Visitors.
The 10 essentials - light is the most important thing to remember regardless of your plans to hike in a few hours. Your cell phone battery can die. And yes, I do carry almost all of this stuff every time I go for a hike. I may not bring a tent, but I will have an emergency blanket. If I know the trails I don't bring a map (my regular hikes like Moreau State Park or Lake George Mountains/trails) Sometimes I do leave the matches/fire behind if it is warm out. If you want any tips - never hesitate to ask. I have a lot of miles and adventures in me.
Environmentally Friendly Camping: Bring reusable containers Repack food from the store to reduce trash Use real dishes/utensils, mugs etc. Biodegradable soap Don't wash dishes in the creeks/rooks Don't bring firewood from home - 50 miles of the campsite only
Gear Rent or buy used
Love our New York Land Campaign launching next week
I learned that we have a lot of work ahead of us, but there are also lots of people who care and that small things can really add up and make a difference!
Seeking products with less or no packaging and avoiding plastic materials. To ensure success, make small changes and don’t get frustrated if you make a mistake or if substitutes don’t work out. Also shop around for affordable options, don’t be turned off by the prices at the first place you look at.
I can feel assured that food is safe to eat and reduce the amount I throw away. I actually in practice only toss something if it has mold growing on it, smells awful or tastes terrible!
Thank you for the eco challenge. One thing I want to begin doing at my new place is composting. Why can't I get started? All I did in my old place was select a space in the woods on the edge of the yard. Put all vegetable and fruit scraps there. Cover with a little soil now and then. Easy peasy. The soil created, or mulch I guess, was so rich and beautiful. Used it on the vegetable garden.
This was such a fun and informative challenge. I wish it were year-round. Thank you, Jennifer Ferriss, for organizing it and being such an awesome team captain!
I researched the red-tailed hawk after seeing an incredible one in my backyard on Tuesday. I used the Cornell All About Birds website to confirm the bird I had seen. It's unusual to see this bird in an urban backyard, but this mammal-eater was on the hunt for meat at our feeder, and picked off an unsuspecting squirrel! We saw it swoop in, grab the squirrel, drop it, wait, then pick it back up, fly with it to a maple in the back corner or our yard, and then feast. I couldn't get any great photos from a distance, but used the binoculars to spy. Other squirrels and even a bold blue jay kept pestering this imposing bird while it ate. It was really a sight to behold. These raptors, even though among the largest birds in North America, are surprisingly lightweight!
Tara, I saw a bald eagle on Lake Avenue east of circular st intersection. It was incredible to see this bird in flight over lake avenue. Then landed in a tree where we watched it from the car.
