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The AdventureKEEN Blog
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A Creative Custom #vanlife Lifestyle
It makes sense that folks who kit out their vans are usually creative and adventurous types. They are all about exploring the world and making the most of the journey. This is why we wanted to quickly highlight the fine folks at Shelter Publications who are currently featuring Kirk Williams (and his customized van – Spock) on their site.
The story is as beautiful and inspirational as the above photo shows. Here’s an excerpt:
“Kirk’s concern after he broke his neck was that he could no longer explore nature and see the world, but his van has helped him travel all over the United States (including Alaska), as well as to Mexico, Argentina, and Chile. His van is customized with the right tools to help him eat, sleep, use the bathroom, and drive more independently. He calls Spock his “freedom pod.” Kirk enjoys exploring remote campsites, off the beaten path, where his van can take him. ‘My life is easy within the van; it’s once I get outside that things get complicated!’”
Click on through to read the full post.
Also, be sure to check out Rolling Homes: Shelter on Wheels by Lloyd Kahn as well and meet more folks customizing their vans and trucks for the adventures ahead.
#bewellbeoutdoors
Timeless Treasures: The Everlasting Appeal of Nature Study Guide Finder Books
Discover why these guidebooks have become staples that continue to thrive in their popularity with nature lovers.
Environmental Education: The History of Nature Study Guides
May Theilgaard Watts, the daughter of a landscape gardener, attended the University of Chicago for botany and ecology (graduating in 1918) and later attended the Art Institute of Chicago. May became involved with a group that worked on preserving the natural landscape in the Midwest. In the 1940s, she became a full-time naturalist at the Morton Arboretum, where she developed an education program that included classes in gardening, nature literature, art, botany, ecology, creative writing, and geology.
In this role, she created the first Nature Study Guides for her students, who were, at first, teachers. The classes were such a big success that they were requested by Girl Scout leaders, homemakers, and families. The groups continued to grow; soon, doctors, dentists, botany professors, nursery workers, farmers, nurses, principals, and Boy Scouts were in attendance.
Today, these guides also have a wide range of audiences, including professionals, academics, hobbyists, and children. The guides have remained invaluable resources for decades.
![May Watts](https://s13518.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/blogmaywatts-1024x576.jpg)
Staying Relevant: How These Guides Adapt to Changing Environments
Nature Study Guides have been a favorite resource for more than 60 years and continue to be revised and updated. The most recent changes include updates to the range maps. The hardiness zones have also been adjusted due to climate change, and these details offer more accuracy. The scientific names and families of particular species have also been corrected, and new ones have been added.
The most noticeable recent change is the look; however, they remain recognizable as the classic guides that people have come to trust. While the books cover different regions, they are all part of the series, most using dichotomous keys. Along with the outside look, the icons inside have been tweaked for easier recognition.
![backpack showing the size of the Mushroom Finder and a picture of the new cover of the Winter Tree Finder.](https://s13518.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/nsg-blog-backpack-with-inches-1024x576.jpg)
Testimonials: Lasting Stories of Connections with Nature
“This Nature Study Series is hard to beat for the person wishing to know plants and understand the differences in physical characteristics. All this comes at a very reasonable cost.”
“I like the whole series of these books. They use deduction to figure out what you’re looking at— be it flower, tree, or animal.”
“I love these mini reference books! They take up very little space on the shelf and are lightweight enough to throw in a day pack, which is much easier than trying to find data or see a screen on a smartphone while you’re out hiking or picnicking.”
Guidebook Gems: Highlighting the Most Popular Editions
Tree Finder by May Theilgaard Watts is the most popular book in the series. People pass it down from generation to generation or purchase it for their kids and grandkids. The range of users is diverse. Below are a few consumer reviews to highlight the trusted guide.
“Even the pros use this book. I’m a certified arborist with 19 years in the green industry. This was one of the books I used to lock down my tree ID skills. I have also used this book to teach future arborists, as well as Boy Scouts and Scout leaders.”
“I had one of these 50 years ago when I studied in elementary school and have always liked it. It makes identifying trees fun!”
“As a certified forester, this is exactly the book we used at West Virginia University for ‘keying’ trees. It’s a great beginner’s book for tree identification. I’d highly recommend it.”
“I first read this in high school for my leaf collection project. I have since purchased this book for my children. I want them to be able to identify trees they ask about on our hikes. It is a wonderful book for all ages.”
Additional Nature Education: New Books by Expert Authors
![nature study guide finder book covers](https://s13518.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/nsg-book-covers-with-pattern-1024x576.jpg)
While the Nature Study Guide series has many classics, two new books are being added this October. Bird Nest Finder, by Dorcas Miller, helps readers identify more than 70 species of birds and their nests. Dorcas is a well-known expert and author of five other guides in the series. Similar to other books in the group, it uses a dichotomous key to help identify aboveground nests by answering questions about their type, size, material, and location.
Another new book in the series is Mushroom Finder. This guidebook provides a dichotomous key to identify fungi by answering questions about the location; appearance; or shape, such as the cap, spores, and stem. The step-by-step instructions can help readers identify more than 300 types of mushrooms that are at least 5mm tall or wide, have tangible thickness, and are fresh. The author is Jacob Kalichman, an expert in his field and a USDA plant pathologist.
Be sure to check out more information on this series at http://naturestudy.com/
Antiquities Act Anniversary – June 8, 2024
The Antiquities Act was signed into law on June 8, 1906 and authorized all future presidents to protect historic landmarks or objects of “scientific interest” on public lands as national monuments. Since the Antiquities Act was passed, nine republican and nine democratic presidents have used the tool to protect nearly 160 important historical, archeological, or public lands across the nation. Many iconic landscapes were first protected under the Antiquities Act, such as Grand Canyon National Park (1908), Great Sand Dunes National Park (1932), and most recently, the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument Expansion (2024).
National Monuments are one of the most effective ways to permanently protect public lands. AdventureKEEN is one of 100 companies who are #MobilizingforMonuments in an effort to protect over 3 million acres of our public lands. Conservation is a shared value that connects people from every corner of the continent and all walks of life. Everyone, regardless of race, income, or political affiliation, can benefit from access to outdoor spaces. On the anniversary of the Antiquities Act, we are proud to stand with local communities, tribes, and business leaders in supporting the designation of more national monuments.
Learn more at: https://www.mobilizingformonuments.com/
#MobilizingforMonuments #AntiquitiesAct #bewellbeoutdoors
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Happy Pub Day “Native Plant Gardening for Birds, Bees & Butterflies for the Rocky Mountains”
One of the smartest ways we can ensure we are moving towards a healthier Earth is to help create spaces for birds, bees, and butterflies. These species are a key part of nature, and Native Plant Gardening for Birds, Bees, and Butterflies for the Rocky Mountains helps you turn your yard into an oasis for all of our pollinating friends.
Available starting today in bookstores everywhere, this informative planning guide to Native Plant Gardening for Birds, Bees, and Butterflies for the Rocky Mountains includes:
- Overview of native pollinator species in the Rocky Mountain region
- Field guide to 106 native plants, organized by types of plants, such as shrubs, trees, and wildflowers
- Quick-reference chart to plants, blooming periods, and what animals each plant attracts
- Hardiness zone information, weed control tips, and more
Plus, there is a section with garden plans that can be customized to suit your specific interests, location, and goals you have for your garden and yard.
These green spaces are so important and can be the most beautiful jewels in your neighborhood. So let professional nature photographer and botanist George Oxford Miller guide you through your smartest plant choices for Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, northern New Mexico, and northeastern Utah.
Learn how to landscape and create pollinator gardens with native plants in any region of the United States with any of the books from the Native Plant Guide Series from Adventure Publications.
Celebrate National Trails Day today!
Today is the 32nd annual National Trails Day when people all across the country unite to celebrate the American Hiking Society’s National Trails Day®. It’s the perfect opportunity to set off on a local trail with others in your community.
Find a local event and take the National Trails Day® pledge to leave the trails and the outdoor community better than you found them.
There’s something magical about being outdoors. Fresh air, birds singing, moving along a trail, or even just around the block – there’s nothing quite like it. But today, trails and public spaces are in dire need of help – and not everyone has access to or feels welcome in these places that can calm and inspire. National Trails Day® is the perfect opportunity to get out there with the people you love, give back to the trails that bring us together, and make sure no one is left out.
Take the #NationalTrailsDay Pledge and commit to leaving the trails and the outdoor community better than you found them.
If you do get out and hike today, be sure to tag any Instagram posts you create with #NationalTrailsDay and @AmericanHiking for a chance to win several outdoor gear prize packages that they are giving out.
Join the nationwide movement to give back to trails and build a world where everyone has access and feels welcome to enjoy the great outdoors.
Today is Earth Day 2024!
Americans celebrated Earth Day for the first time in 1970. It has since grown from that single bipartisan US government proclamation into a global day of recognition. It is a day to highlight the joys of the outdoors while staying focused on the need to protect and restore the planet. Deforestation, nature loss, toxic chemicals, and plastic pollution are real threats to our health and nature. Here are a few ways to celebrate and participate today:
Get outside
Today is a global day of recognition when folks all over the Earth think about getting outside, protecting the natural world, and celebrating outdoor spaces. You should get out, too. Take a walk for a 15-minute break during the day, eat your lunch outside, or plan a hike at dusk. In today’s commute-dependent and screen-driven world, it can be tough to “turn off” and get outside, but getting outside is one of the best ways you can help recognize Earth Day.
Get the kids excited about outside.
Help the kids learn about rocks, water, and plants (books are a great start). Once children start to understand where all the parts of nature come from and how they work together, they can start to understand why they are all so important. Once kids understand how important a healthy planet is to all of us, then they will want to start helping protect it.
Three Ways to Take Action
- There are so many wonderful conservation organizations out there working to protect our planet, not just on Earth Day. It’s easy to make a monetary donation or volunteer some time to help pick up a trail or street in your neighborhood. It’s good to think about how your action along your sidewalk or road is part of a larger effort to protect our planet.
- You can also donate old gear. Check your local outdoor shops and search online. Many places are looking for used gear to sell (and often will let you ship for free), and even more outdoor folks are looking for cheaper used gear. Plus, it keeps the old shoes, backs, and gear out of the landfill! How often do we get a win-win-win scenario?
- You can also sign the official Earth Day Global Plastics Treaty Petition. It’s pushing for an audacious goal of a 60% reduction in the production of all plastics worldwide by 2040. That would be amazing! This petition starts with the United Nations and hopes to grow the movement from there.
BONUS: Think about how you can make any Earth Day-focused efforts you do part of your daily routine. This can be a tough one, but thinking about plastics in the home, water usage and even the plants in your yard is how we all will really start to make a difference. The outdoors belongs to everyone. Claim it. Protect it. Share the love of nature.
On Earth Day Today, remember that it’s our shared responsibility to treat it with care. We hope that wherever you are on Earth Day 2024, you can get outside, spread the word about the importance of a healthy planet, and enjoy what nature offers you.