Do you think of yourself as a visitor in Nature, or a part of it?

In our fast-paced society, we seldom make time for Nature. When we do, it is a quick visit to a park or a short trek along a favorite trail. These brief intervals surrounded by the natural world refresh and relax us.

Then, we return to our "real" lives. Deadlines, commitments, paperwork, phone calls. What a strange way to view the world. People are, and always have been an integral part of Nature. The more removed from Nature we are, the more removed we are from our true selves.

Too often, environmentalists implicitly underwrite and perpetuate the false assumption that humans are trespassers or interlopers. Granted, we as a species have wrought horrific terrors upon the earth, and taken many concepts to extremes which threaten the health of the earth. The answer to that, however, is not a strict preservationist's "hands off" attitude. The answer to that problem is moderation and a realization that what we do to the earth, we ultimately do to ourselves.

Living in balance, there are many uses we can make of our natural endowment that can enhance our lives and still leave the system healthy. This ultimately brings us closer to Nature, and to our own ultimate reality. Check out "Thumping Hickories," a new essay from naturalist William Hudson, and then get outside, learn something, and refresh your soul.

Night Hikes!

Okay. We all know it gets dark early during winter, making it difficult to to lots of outdoor activities after work. Of course ski slopes are lighted, so downhill skiing is an option. But, what about a night hike?

During winter, the trees are laid bare, abandoned by those fair weather friends, the leaves. This allows moonlight to penetrate to the forest floor. On nights with a full moon, the effect is transformative. Instead of a dark, shady hike, winter night hikes under a full moon are magically alive and bright.

Try it and you will be surprised. Don't use a flashlight. Just let your eyes adjust and get out in the woods. If you are reticent to try it alone, join an organized hike. Here are two upcoming full moon hikes being held at Cuyahoga Valley National Park:

Saturday, January 30
This easy 3.75-mile hike on the Valley and Towpath trails will begin at the Everett Road Covered Bridge at 7 p.m. and end at approximately 8:45 p.m.

Sunday, February 28
Another easy 3.5-mile hike on the Towpath Trail between Boston and Red Lock will depart from Boston Store Visitor Center and runs from 7 - 8:45 p.m.

Check out the Darke County Park District

The Darke County Park District has 12 parks with 500 acres of passive recreation opportunities. If you have never been to Darke County, it is northwest of Dayton, near the Indiana state line.

Check out a new page on the park district that we have just added thanks to Robb Clifford, Senior Naturalist with Darke County Parks: Darke County Park District, Western Ohio Parks.


This photo of the sugar shack at Shawnee Prairie is courtesy of the Darke County Park District.

Malabar Maple Syrup Festival

From a press release from Malabar Farm State Park:

The 33rd Annual Maple Syrup Family Festival is planned for the first two weekends in March (DATES: March 6,7,13,14, 2010) from 12:00 noon to 4:00 p.m. daily. This free festival is a great opportunity for families and friends to step back in time, learn, and enjoy the history of Ohio syrup making at Malabar Farm State Park.

This festival includes demonstrations of sugaring techniques from the early days, when Ohio was home to Native Americans, through present day. A self-guided tour of the sugar camp and sugarhouse will reveal the evolution of sugaring equipment and how maple sap is transformed into maple syrup. A peek inside the summer bell house, behind the Pugh Log Cabin, will take you back to Ohio’s past. Presented by the Richland County Museum, the summer bell house is now set up as a pioneer’s cabin, where kids and adults can take part in daily pioneer chores like washing clothes, tending fire, making candles, and cooking. Kids and adults will also enjoy the horse-drawn wagon rides to the sugar camp provided by the Central Ohio Draft Horse Association.

Free samples of maple syrup will be available at the sugar house. Pure Ohio maple syrup, homemade Maple Walnut Fudge, Maple Cotton Candy, Maple popcorn, and other maple products will be on sale during the event, and in the Malabar Farm Gift Shop throughout the season. Live musical entertainment will be provided along with light refreshments and snacks during the festival in the Pugh Log Cabin located near the event. Bromfield’s historical 32-room mansion will be open for self-guided tours. Tickets can be purchased in the Visitor’s Center Gift Shop.

The Malabar Farm Restaurant will offer lunch and dinner specials featuring Malabar Farm products and maple food items both weekends – kids menu available. For reservations or more information call 419-938-5205.

Additionally, overnight accommodations for individuals, groups, and families are available at the Malabar Farm Hostelling International – call 419-892-2055 for reservations.