The Contra Costa County Library is celebrating nature with the Outdoor Explorer Program.
In partnership with East Bay Regional Parks District, the goal of the program is to encourage the exploration of natural areas in Contra Costa County and the greater Bay Area.
The program features several nature-themed presentations at community libraries around the county, plus hiking and nature resources highlighted in the collection.
In order to better navigate the many open spaces, cardholders can check out an Outdoor Explorer Backpack. Each pack includes an East Bay Regional Parks parking pass and an entry pass good at all East Bay Regional Parks, binoculars, park brochures, plant and animal identification cards, and general hiking and trail safety information.
Outdoor Explorer programming in the libraries includes: birdwatching, gardening with native plants, hiking around the world and much more. Additional information about all the nature programs is available at https://guides.ccclib.org/nature/
East Bay Regional Parks includes over 100,000 acres of open space, 1,250+ miles of hiking trails and 73 parks.
For media inquiries, please contact Public Information Officer Brooke Converse at bconvers@ccclib.org or (925) 608-7713.
For general questions, please email ask@ccclib.org or call (925) 608-7700.
Here is something else you might learn from the library. The portmanteau word “hiking” was introduced in England between WWI and WWII. At the end of WWI, it was obvious that the Germans had superior air power and that another war might be on the horizon. British citizens were worn out physically and mentally. The government urged them to go “hill walking” to lift their spirits and to strengthen themselves for what might come. A journalist put the two words together; thus, we have the portmanteau word “hiking.”
This is a good start for public education. I hope the program is expanded to include environmental issues such as recycling greywater in the home, from clothes washer and cleaning dishes, to use for outside watering.
Also energy saved by using a clothes line to dry clothes rather than a clothes dryer, and much better for your clothes.
How about listing the dangers of a sedentary life style?
Obesity
Heart diseases, including coronary artery disease and heart attack
High blood pressure
High cholesterol
Stroke
Metabolic syndrome
Type 2 diabetes
Certain cancers, including colon, breast, and uterine cancers
Osteoporosis and falls
Increased feelings of depression and anxiety
Get off your butts and do something. The benefits out weight Ms Sunshine’s negatives.
Sweet!
Agreed. There are hazards in everything we do – you have to balance out the hazards vs. benefits. And then if someone finds some of the hazards too possible, then simply work to mitigate those risks.
I agree with the contrarians! Many of my hobbies, hiking, swimming, bouldering, kayaking, nature-y stuff, are things that killjoys always reflexively tell, “don’t go alone”. I don’t think they even think it through, it’s just something they think you’re supposed to say. If I waited for a partner or a spotter every time I wanted to enjoy life, I would never do those things, and I would then not be the sort of person that does those things, because I would never actually do them.
And now I’m 56, it great shape, low cholesterol, low blood pressure, low resting heart rate, lots of scars, lots of wrinkles, lots of priceless memories.
It saddens me that some go through life with a paralyzing fear of nature.
Wow, what a great program! My daughter and I like doing the Trails Challenge, and this will definitely save us some fees.