Following time spent exploring the coastline in celebration of Earth Day; I couldn’t help but write about why I love the outdoors. I like the connection with the natural world, and I always feel refreshed after a hike. We’re lucky to live in a climate where we can be outside virtually every day of the year. Being involved in nature is a deep commitment for me. It dates back to helping my parents with a beach re-nourishment project on Earth Day.
For years, I took that portion of beach seriously enough to ride my bike and check on it regularly. I saw it flourish, support the growth of beach grasses and attract fauna. While learning the Latin names of grasses and birds became a game at that time, stewardship became a lifelong commitment. It’s one that gives back far more than I can ever give.
There are many ways to ignite your interest in the environment. Hiking is one way to get up close and personal with Mother Nature and get some fresh air and exercise.
The Upper Tampa Bay Trail is a paved, non-motorized rail trail in Hillsborough County that is easy to bike, run or walk. The 42-mileSuncoast Trail, winds through several counties, offering running and cycling options. A Rails-to-Trails project, the Pinellas Trail, stretches through Tarpon Springs to St. Petersburg, Fla. and offers bikers and runners jaunts through small towns on Florida’s west coast.
Getting regular exercise offers connections, provokes thought, focus and good moods, and according to some medical studies, may boost your ability to fend off infection, lower your risk for heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, and cancers. Limited exposure to sunlight helps ignite activation of vitamin D., if you take a few precautions, getting out doors provides more than a few benefits. Always wear waterproof sunscreen and a hat. Studies also indicate that even as little as 30 minutes of physical activity each day improves our health.
Getting out offers us the chance to unplug, focus and observe, quietly contemplate and unwind. Outdoor activity is free, and recent studies also show it improves concentration. Since living in the tropics allows us to connect with nature in so many ways, why not get out today?
You may also educate yourself with these resources:
The Arbor Day Foundation, which provides listings of trees, plants and shrubs for all hardiness zones and sells them. It also offers a good resource list of ways to get involved.
With 10 national parks including forts, national seashores and the Everglades, the National Park Service offers a wealth of information of Florida’s offerings. The National Parks and Conservation Association staff offers suggestions on which lesser-known southeastern national parks may be worth a visit. You might also check out the National Fish and Wildlife Service.
Audubon of Florida has been advocating conservation and providing protection to birds for more than a century. Check out their newsletters and find a local chapter at their website.
Whatever your outdoor passion may be, Florida offers an array of biking, paddling, birding and hiking opportunities to get you out in nature.
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