Conservationist Series - Benton MacKaye

Did you celebrate Earth Day this year? Kristi reflects on how we can positively impact our environment and encourage our children to become stewards of the Earth. This Earth is truly a magnificent place. Its resources are unique to this planet. As the only known planet habitable for humans, we must take care of it. Every year, on April 22, the importance of this is brought to the center stage. But what if we took further action? If we can take a stand for one day and put forth action in ways that will protect our precious planet, then imagine what we can do with a whole year.  Moreover, what if we took those changes we made in a year and passed them onto our children? Imagine the change we could initiate. Here are some ideas to continue this cause throughout the year.   Make a Recycling Pact With Your Family A great place to start is to begin recycling at home. As a family, sit down and make a list of what can be recycled. Learn about the different ways the recyclables are turned into new items. This is a great way to get everyone involved. Teach kids how to separate items and create a bin for each group. As the amount of trash in the can is decreased and the recyclables increase, point out to the kids the difference they are making. They'll feel accomplished and proud.   Plant a Tree This can be done right in your own backyard. Gather up the family and head to your local nursery.  They'll have different trees to choose from and the kids will love being involved in the decision making. Once you've decided on the chosen one, take that gorgeous tree home and make an afternoon of it.  Kids love to dig. Let one dig the hole. Others can assist in its placement...and done. You can make a plan to plant a couple trees each year. And as you gaze out your window, not only will you have beautiful trees to look at, but precious memories of planting them as a family.   Do a Clean-up Hike We love this idea because it can be done often throughout the year. Anytime you plan to head outdoors with the family, make a goal to clean up the trails. You can make this into a game with the kids also. Whoever gathers the most pieces of trash gets a prize! Maybe organize some group clean-up hikes in your area every couple months. This is a great way to gather the community and get other families involved.   Plant a Garden Sit down and plan out what you want to grow in your garden. What works in your area? What is most likely to be used in meals? Make a garden plan and set out to make it happen. This is another one to get the kids involved with. Let them get down in the dirt prepping the area and planting seeds with you. This can be a great learning experience. And as you're gazing out at the beautiful trees you've planted as a family, you can admire the freshly picked tomatoes and onions right there from your very own garden.  No room for a garden? No problem! Find the local community garden or join in a co-op with some friends! What a delicious way to help keep it all local!   Small Changes Can Make a Big Difference Small changes can be made in every purchase. You can buy refillable water bottles. Purchase reusable baggies and straws to use on hikes. Buy eco-friendly toys for your kiddos or as gifts. There are so many options out there, and they are only a Google search away. You matter. What you do matters. Pass these on to your children and make those small changes, on April 22nd, and every other day of the year. Photos courtesy of Ashton Miyako, Ashley Scheider and Yanna Bennett

This is the first post in the monthly conservationist series. Each post will detail a conservationist's life, notable accomplishments, and ways the conservationist connects to kids. Environmental activist. Writer. Inventor. Ecologist. Travel Enthusiast. The next time you visit a national park, you have conservationist John Muir partially to thank. Muir, often referred to as Father of Our National Park System, helped found five national parks in addition to founding the Sierra Club. Who is John Muir? Born in 1838 in Dunbar, Scotland, Muir immigrated to the United States when was 11 years old. He and his family settled in Wisconsin. While living in Wisconsin, his curiosity and ingenuity led him to many inventions he would eventually show at the Wisconsin State Fair, including a horse feeder, table saw, and even a catapult-like device that tipped him out of his bed each morning before dawn (which sounds much more effective than a traditional alarm clock)! While Muir was a good student, he left Wisconsin after completing just three years of college. Instead of continuing a traditional education, he traveled the northern United States and Canada, picking up odd jobs along the way. One of these jobs left him with an eye injury that blinded him for a month and proved to be life-changing. After regaining his sight, Muir began experiencing wanderlust and longed to see the world. He walked 1,000 miles from Indianapolis to the Gulf of Mexico. He sailed to Cuba and Panama and ultimately settled in California (though he would continue to travel the world). His travels even took him on an extended trip to the Amazon when he was 73! "The mountains are calling and I must go," Muir said. A Love of Nature Even with Muir’s wanderlust tendencies, he embraced the nature of the United States, and he was especially passionate about Sierra Nevada and Yosemite. Through his observations of Yosemite, he found living glaciers. His theories stated that Yosemite’s geological features were developed by this glacial activity. Besides his role in the development of Yosemite as a national park in 1890, Muir was also involved in the creation of parks for the Grand Canyon and Sequoia regions. “Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and places to pray in, where nature may heal and give strength to body and soul," Muir said. Muir also kept journals of his travels, writing about the beauty he saw in nature and drawing sketches of plants, animals, mountains, and landscapes. Accomplishments In addition to helping create some of America's national parks, Muir also founded an organization dedicated to preserving the environment so its beauty could be enjoyed for generations. The Sierra Club's mission, founded in 1892, strives to explore, enjoy, and protect the wild places of the earth. More than 100 years later, the Sierra Club is the nation's largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization. More than two million members and supporters help live out Muir's original mission of the Sierra Club. Muir also authored articles and books detailing his travels and philosophies. His 1901 book Our National Parks gained the attention of former President Theodore Roosevelt and led to a historic meeting of the two men where they discussed conservation programs. (Theodore Roosevelt will be featured in a future post in the conservationist series.) “In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks," Muir said. Connecting to Kids Want to teach your own children about John Muir’s legacy? There are plenty of ways to accomplish this! State Quarter Coloring Page If your children like to color, this activity will appeal to them! Print out a coloring page featuring the California state quarter (released in 2005), which highlights Muir and his love of nature. Find the coloring page here. Children’s Books Muir himself was the author of 10 major books, but there are also books that have been written about him for a children’s audience. The Camping Trip that Changed America: Theodore Roosevelt, John Muir, and Our National Parks (Barb Rosenstock) In this book, children can learn about the historic three-day camping trip taken by Muir and Theodore Roosevelt in 1903. Camping by themselves in an uncharted area of Yosemite, the two held discussions that would lead to the creation of our national parks. (Recommended ages: 6-8) John Muir: America’s Naturalist (Thomas Locker) Featuring quotes from John Muir’s actual writing and fully illustrated pages, children ages 4-8 will especially enjoy this book. This inspiring book will teach children about the values John Muir held so dearly. Note: This book is part of an illustrated series of books by Thomas Locker introducing the young and old to great Americans who loved and wrote about the land. Create a Nature Journal John Muir kept journals about his adventures in the wilderness, and kids (and adults too) may enjoy keeping their own nature journal! Write down your thoughts on hikes and draw the beauty you experienced. You’ll have a great memento when your journal is finished! To download a printable nature journal template from the Sierra Club, click here. Quick Facts There is a minor planet named in his honor, Johnmuir, discovered in August 2004. The tiny planet measures just 1 mile in diameter. Muir is featured on the California state quarter along with Yosemite and a condor. Muir got to camp for three days with U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt. Muir had an adventure on an Alaskan glacier with his friend’s dog, Stickeen. A world-traveler, Muir visited every continent except Antarctica. Muir Woods National Monument, a grove of redwoods north of San Francisco, is named in Muir’s honor. Muir was married with two daughters. He greatly enjoyed walking with his girls and experiencing nature, which we all still enjoy today through Hike it Baby. Muir died on December 24, 1914, in Los Angeles. Do you have a favorite conservationist that has positively influenced our environment? Share your thoughts with us below! Stay tuned each month for more blog posts about conservationists and their impact on our community and the world we share.