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A Comprehensive DIY Guide to the Van Life
The van life concept dates back to 1910 when vehicles like the Packard truck were adapted for travel. (Wikipedia takes the concept back further, to horse drawn wagons, such as the covered Conestoga wagons that populated the early western frontier in the U.S.) Life on wheels (either full time or as a camping option) has had its aficionados and detractors for decades. More recently, the pandemic brought about lifestyle changes that accelerated the trend of people at least trying out a “digital nomad” lifestyle. The Van Conversion Bible: The Ultimate Guide to Converting a Campervan by Charlie Low and Dale Comley is a thorough DIY guide to creating and using…
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New Children’s Book Explains How Some Fireflies Blink in Sync
A new picture book, Blink, Blink, Blink in Sync: Silent Fireworks by Sharon CassanoLochman is a sweet story of a young child’s first experience with fireflies. Told from the child’s point of view, she is excited for a special surprise, but worried she won’t be able to use her indoor voice while she is outside. The family sets off down a wooded trail with a group of people and the girl gets nervous as darkness falls. Then someone points out a flash of light, then another as thousands of fireflies light up the night like fireworks. The reader learns along with the narrator that these fireflies are special: they all…
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Useful Guide Helps You Safely Forage for Mushrooms
How to Forage for Mushrooms without Dying, An Absolute Beginners Guide to Identifying 29 Wild, Edible Mushrooms, by Frank Hyman, is an engaging and informative guide to mushrooms. If you’ve ever come across a fungus on a hike and wondered, “Can I eat that?” this book is for you. Here, expert advice is presented in a friendly and easy-to-digest (no pun intended) manner. Most readers will learn everything they want to know about wild mushrooms: where to find them, how to identify them, how to handle and store them, and even how to prepare them. (Spoiler alert: don’t eat them raw – cook them well.) Mushroom lovers will enjoy discovering…
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We Need to Protect Our Watersheds. But What Exactly Is a Watershed?
You’ve see the signs along the highway, “Entering the XX Watershed.” But what does that mean? Maybe you’ve also read about or seen signs for a watershed association. But what, exactly, is a watershed? Simply defined, a watershed is the area of land between ridges where precipitation collects. As you may remember from Science class, most of this precipitation runs off through rivers and their tributaries, but some of it seeps into the ground, adding to the water table beneath the surface. This water table is where most of our drinking water comes from. No matter where you live, you are an essential part of a watershed. These areas are…
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How to Become a Birder, Without Even Trying
Field Notes from an Unintentional Birder: A Memoir by Julia Zarankin is an honest, entertaining look at the author’s transformation into a bird lover while “auditioning” mid-life hobbies. She shares reflections of ten years of observing birds, yet rather than claiming expert-status, she declares herself a “lifelong beginning birder.” The book moves mostly chronologically, reflecting on her birding journey and her life. It provides an inside look at one of the most popular hobbies in America and the fervor that it brings out in dedicated birders. Many bird species are described in depth, others just enough to encourage the reader to do a quick search, to see exactly what that…
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Lessons from Rachel Carson for a New Generation
Middle-schoolers and their families looking for engaging ways to learn about nature and ecology concepts will enjoy Rachel Carson and Ecology for Kids: Her Life and Ideas,with 21 Activities and Experiments. The book follows Rachel Carson’s life, from her childhood adventures growing up in the woods along the Allegheny River, through her environmental work for the United States government and her successful and sometimes controversial writing career during a time that the concept of a “woman scientist” was unthinkable. Credited by many to be the inspiration behind the modern-day environmental movement, Carson was a true ecologist, before ecology was widely recognized as its own discipline. Her work led to government…
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Books Make Great Gifts: A Dozen Book Titles for Nature Lovers
Books and experiences always make good gifts. While experiences may be tough to plan at this time, books can provide hours of entertainment (plus a bit of education too). These twelve books about nature and the outdoors are just a sampling of those published this year. For Children Morning, Sunshine! by Keely Parrack A series of haiku accompanied by informative text introduces children to the nature just outside their doors What’s This Tail Saying by Carolyn Combs Children follow clues as they learn how to “read” animal tails Wait, Rest, Pause: Dormancy In Nature by Marcie Flinchum Atkins An exploration of the idea of dormancy; how living organisms handle environmental…
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Easy Ways to Nourish Environmental Consciousness in Kids
With so many environmental concerns today, it’s tough to say which is the most pressing. It can be overwhelming to think about how to make a difference or what issue to start with. Toss in the daily activities that come with a couple kids, and the task may seem impossible. In Growing Sustainable Together, Shannon Brescher Shea has presented a guidebook for parents. With a nice blend of education and parenting advice (plus a smattering of nature tips and plenty of resources), she provides a number of actionable tips and activities for families with children of all ages, addressing a number of environmental concerns. Each chapter addresses a separate area…
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Stepping Out of the Comfort Zone, on a Paddle Board
Recently I took my first of what I expect will be many Outdoor Discovery School classes. Stand Up Paddle Boarding has increased in popularity in recent years, and the interest has increased the number of places one can buy a board or try one out for an hour or two. (Many waterfront outfitters that provide small watercraft also rent paddle boards.) Though it takes some coordination and balance, it is a fun activity that provides a good workout. For my first experience, I chose a class at Lake Nockamixon, (Bucks County, PA) run by the Center Valley L.L. Bean store. Arriving a bit early, we has plenty of time to…
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Get More Out of Your Swiss Army Knife
Victorinox Swiss Army Knife Camping & Outdoor Survival Guide: 101 Tips Tricks and Uses by Bryan Lynch is both history book and practical guide. Dating to 1891, the Swiss Army Knife is arguably the most recognizable pocket knife of all time. Whether purchased new or passed down through the family, many fans of the Swiss Army Knife have a tough time leaving home without it. While many people own one of these popular red knives, not all realize the versatility or the interesting history. Most are probably also unaware of how many varieties there are and how to use some of the many tools included on some models. This book…
