SOS! Spotted on Sunday at the Sutro Baths!
Outdoor Afro Zoe Polk shared with us today a photo where she was Spotted on Sunday (SOS) at the Sutro Baths. From thier website, the Sutro Baths are:
"...a hallowed place in San Francisco, modern ruins on the edge of the continent. Crashing waves, labyrinthine structures, wild lilies, cliff-lodged cypress trees reaching towards the ocean, a thundering cave..."
Where were YOU spotted on Sunday in the outdoors?
Outdoor Afro Goes RVing!
THIS Weekend! - and you get to come too!
On Aug. 12th to 14th I will take Outdoor Afro to the foothills of the Sierra Nevada with my nephew and three children for a three-day camping trip at Ponderosa Resort in Lotus, California!
Camp-California.com and Ponderosa Resort are co-sponsoring my trip along with Auburn-based American River Sales and Rentals, which is supplying a teardrop trailer for our use. They are equally eager to learn of our experiences, and how they can expand their collective efforts to reach out to the African American community and get us involved in the Great Outdoors.
Another goal of this trip is to share an outdoor camp experience that still reserves a few creature comforts that the most tentative campers can appreciate. So I want to share how RVing or trailer camping is a terrific option for those who feel intimidated to try more rustic camping experiences.
Over the course of the weekend, we plan to do a day of white river rafting, thanks to our friends at American Whitewater Expeditions, and explore the surrounding California Gold Country. I also plan to test my culinary skills with some RV friendly recipes. From camp, I will tweet, blog and film all of our fun so that the Outdoor Afro community can follow our journey and share in our experiences.
See the full press releases HERE
We can't wait!
How many of you RV already?
Get Out. Get Green. Get Paid.
Recently, I had the pleasure of spending time on Maryland’s Eastern shore with colleagues, Akiima Price, Chief of Education Programs at the New York Restoration Project, David Greaves, the Black Employment Program Officer for the EPA, and Nick Clemons, a National Park Ranger at Assateague Island National Seashore. Hosted and organized by the Maryland Coastal Bays Program and Assateague State Park, Get Out! Get Green! Get Paid! was an important opportunity to connect with nearly 200 youth, ages 14-25, to help them consider a sustainable career and lifestyle within nature.
The Maryland Coastal Bays Program exists to protect and conserve the waters and surrounding watershed of Maryland’s coastal bays to enhance their ecological values and sustainable use for both present and future generations. Participants in the symposium included students enrolled in the Upward Bound program at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore and those involved in conservation-related job programs including Coastal Stewards, the Maryland Conservation Corps, Maryland Conservation Job Corps, Youth Conservation Corps and the Chesapeake Conservation Corps.
While my colleagues and I began our weekend with presentations at the University of Maryland, Eastern Shore about our inspiration to embark on careers within the environmental field, what followed were two days filled with amazing local outdoor activities, such as fishing, kayaking, hay rides, air rifling, pontooning, exploring the coastal bays, swimming on the beach at Assateague, and best of all, great conversations and relationship building.
Carrie Samis, the Education Coordinator for Coastal Bays, really gets it, and designed a summit that was not just about talking the talk, but walking the walk. Unlike other experiences where I have come to present to a group only to leave the same day, time was planned over the weekend for my colleagues and I to get to know the program youth individually, and learn what mattered in their day-to-day lives in Delmarva, as called by locals (Delaware, Maryland, Virginia).
One Coastal Bays Steward, Tashonna Grant fast became my partner in fun, and in our time together doing recreational activities, I got a chance to observe and learn from her about pushing through obstacles. “I hate snakes,” she told me, but as we talked about the importance of wildlife in our daily lives, something clicked. And later when we had a chance to visit a nature preserve with a display of wildlife, Tashonna was among the first to handle one of the native snake species -- and giggled through the experience.
But as I got to know more Coastal Stewards, I learned Tashonna’s courage to engage with nature is typical for this group, but not without careful intention and effort. Even though many of the program youth come from underserved communities, the program goes the extra mile to engage families and trusted institutions over time, such as local churches, to help foster a pathway of trust that help program youth feel supported. Importantly, these youth gain valuable work experience, participate in professional and personal development opportunities, and receive a paycheck. I also learned that many of these students later secure positions with state and federal agencies, local parks and nonprofits.
Maryland Coastal Bay’s Program has also earned the deep respect of numerous local business, and community partners through its ongoing collaboration and critical bay and wildlife stewardship. And as a result, wherever our group went, we were treated like royalty!
My deep thanks go out to the Maryland Coastal Bays Program for such a moving program. Most especially for Carrie Samis and Nick Clemons for all their tireless coordination and enthusiasm, Dave Wilson (Executive Director) for great beaching and birding; the exceedingly hospitable folks at Fager’s Island, The University of Maryland, Eastern Shore, Hazel Outdoor Discovery Center, Assateague Island National Seashore staff, ALL the amazing youth, my awesome colleagues, and each person along the journey who contributed in big and small ways to make my trip to Delmarva a lasting and inspired memory.
Click below to see photos from the event!
Outdoor Afro Named Best Nature and Green Living Blog
This may be old news for those of you who follow our Facebook Page, but I am still so tickled to be honored by The Black Weblog Awards, an annual celebration of Black social media excellence -- Outdoor Afro was recognized for Best Green Nature/Outdoor Blog!
The Black Weblog Awards was founded in 2005 to give recognition to Black bloggers (and those of the African diaspora) which are normally largely overlooked by other Internet award events on and offline. Winners were selected by members of the public through an online nomination process and determined by popular vote.
“The Black Weblog Awards create amazing energy each year within the Black blogosphere,” said Gina McCauley, the Executive Director of the 2011 Black Weblog Awards. “It is that one time of year when we all pause to recognize the hard work and determination it takes to produce content and build vibrant engaging online communities year-round.”
This year in the first time in the seven-year history of the Black Weblog Awards, the winners were announced in a live ceremony in Los Angeles, CA on July 9, 2011 during the 2011 Blogging While Brown Conference. I was away on an outdoor adventure with my family and could not make it, but me and the kids managed to watch live on my Droid from the Santa Cruz mountains, and squeeled in delight at the announcement.
“I am delighted and excited that the Black Weblog Awards were presented with the Blogging While Brown Conference,” said Maurice Cherry, Founder of the Black Weblog Awards. “This was an amazing opportunity to showcase hard-working bloggers, video bloggers, and podcasters to an audience of tastemakers and influencers.”
Take a peek at the video coverage of the event, Outdoor Afro (NOT Outdoor Diva) is mentioned at 3:15...
Thank you all for your enduring support and respect for this unique message from the very beginning. I am deeply humbled and grateful.
5 Free Outdoor Activities To Do This Weekend
Getting outdoors does not have to require a lot of time or money, but they are the biggest reported barriers among Outdoor Afros. With these fun, and mostly free options below, you can get your outdoor fix on, without sacrificing an entire weekend or your piggy bank.
1. Hike - Check out the options near you via local city parks, rec/nature centers, and National Parks. Do pack a snack and plenty of water to take with you!
2. Stargaze – In some parts of the country, the evenings are the best time to be outside. Grab a loved one, and take a slow stroll near where you live, or drive to more remote areas for a better view with less city light competition.
3. Backyard Cook-Out – Grilling meats and veggies outdoors always feels like a treat, and is much less fuss and clean-up than kitchen cooking. Bonus points for eating outside on a blanket and inviting the neighbors over to share!
4. Ride a Bike or Skate – Time to pull out that bike or pair of skates you’ve had in storage for the last five years! Spray a bit of WD-40 to loosen up the rusty bits, and away you can go! Don’t forget water and a helmet!
5. Bird Watch – Contact your local Audubon Society for a list of birds local to your area. They may even have a pair of binoculars you can borrow too! Challenge your companions to find their “best” bird or count how many of the same species you find.
What other activities can you think of that are free and easy to do in the outdoors?
Back From Family Camp
I just drove in from my time in nature with the kids at Feather River Camp where we spend a part of every summer. On the way home, I reflected with gratitude on how adaptive the camp experience is. For a change this year, instead of high impact adventure, tie-dye shirt making, and day-long trips to nearby waterfalls, I chose instead to spend most of my time curled up under shade and enjoyed with new perspective my 20-year-old copy of the classic Their Eyes Were Watching God that links love to nature in ways I never before understood.
So this year at camp, I spent less time doing, and more time watching, noticing, and being. For instance, I identified new species of birds and bugs (yes, bugs). I stared at a doe at rest among the Ponderosa Pines for what seemed like forever, and I was still enough to observe without meddling the humorous social entanglements between my children and their camp friends. As a result, I am back home feeling rested, and revitalized instead of in need of another vacation.
I encourage more of you to take the chance this summer to get out with your loved ones and simply be in nature. It really is enough.
To learn more about accredited family camp options in your area, check out the American Camp Association website.
Raising Sand
I remember my southern mom always used the term, raising sand to describe someone having a fit. When I saw these images shared by facebook friend Aimee Allison, I almost wanted to shout in response to these stunning photos of real sand.
This is the same sand that lines our coasts and fills our childhood sandboxes. We feel its warmth between our toes, and shake it free from our shoes. The stuff of play and comfort, most often seen in utilitarian terms. In these photos, we imagine sand in a completely different way, magnified so that we can see the spirit of each grain. As unique as a snowflake.
I doubt I will ever look at sand the same again...
Learn more about the formation of sand and the source of these images,
taken by Gary Greenberg, PhD.
Outdoor Gear: You've Come a Long Way Baby!
It seems like these days we are all obsessed about having the latest and greatest in outdoor gear, and swear we just can't "live without" [insert gadget here] on our outdoor adventures.
The folks at Eastern Mountain Sports thought it would be nifty to look back at the old tools of the trade through some research, and used their results to put together this neat-o infographic.
What camping innovation can't you live without?
National Black Agriculture Awareness Week: July 10-July 16
Did you know?
- That only 1 in 100 farms are Black owned farms
- The average age of a Black Farmer is 63
- 1920, 14% of all American ag producers were Black
- 2010, ONLY 1% of American ag producers are Black
- These numbers account for Black Land Loss of over 10 million acres of production and counting...
What Is Black Ag Awareness Week?
Black Agricultural Awareness Week is a week set aside to recognize and celebrate black agriculture, while bringing awareness to the needs and the decline of Black Agricultural Producers; as well as focus attention on the African American community regarding food and food choices.
When Is Black Ag Awareness Week?
Black Ag Awareness Week is celebrated from July 10, 2011 through July 16, 2011. National Black Ag Week falls during the week of George Washington Carver's Birthday.
Who Hosts Black Ag Awareness Week?
Healthy Solutions hosts the national campaign. However, the awareness efforts in individual communities across America are as influential - if not more influential - than the broad-scale effort. A planning Guide and Toolkits will be produced to allow for communities the opportunity to host events in celebration of this vital week. Healthy Solutions also partners with several organizations and businesses nationally that work to make this week happen.
What Is Black Ag Awareness Week All About?
Black Ag Awareness Week is about recognizing, educating, and celebrating the contribution of African Americans, and People of African Descent, to agriculture in our everyday lives. The National Black Ag Awareness Week encourages everyone to:
- Understand how the decline in Black Agricultural Producers is an issue that needs immediate attention.
- Educate youth to want to pursue Agriculture as a viable option to build a foundation for themselves and communities.
- Appreciate the many agriculturally related accomplishments that benefit not just black agricultural producers, but agriculture as a whole, and impact us on a daily basis.
- Bring awareness to food and agricultural issues in the African American community as a whole
Why Celebrate Black Agriculture?
Why not?! Agriculture provides almost everything we eat, use and wear, but few people truly recognize or understand the part that Black producers, scientist, chemist, and African Americans in general have played to make Global Agriculture what it is today. Oftentimes we see pictures of farms and food and the true picture of Black Agriculture is not represented.
On December 18, 2010 the UN Declared 2011 as the International Year for People of African Descent, with the themes of Recognition, Justice, and Development. We feel there is no better time to celebrate those who paved the way for agriculture in the US while educating our people, and bringing awareness to the fact that black farmers may soon become extinct if we do not act now by educating and training our youth, and our communities to pursue agriculture. The saying that there is No Culture Without Agriculture will become truer than ever as Black Agriculture will become extinct without immediate action and the awareness brought about by weeks set aside to insure that a culture, food, farmers, land, and heritage will not be lost.
What Can I Do to Help?
Get involved! Your participation in Black Ag Awareness Week is critical in helping us spread this message about black agriculture. If you are interested in planning an event, download your Planning Guide today. Of course, there are other ways you can lend your support, including sending a letter to your local newspaper, sponsoring outreach activities, volunteering on local black farms, hosting educational events with our toolkit, hosting a Black Farmers Market, advocating for your local store to feature food from a Black Producer for this week, hosting a day of Prayer and Healing at your place of Worship, calling your Congressional representative, providing in-kind donations to get the word out or simply purchasing from Black Producers this week.
Where Can I Find More Information?
Contact the Healthy Solutions at (888) 415-2667, their website: www.SaveBlackFarmers.org (check site as information will be updated regularly) , or email [email protected]
The Center for Whole Communities
July 2011, Session One Fellows:
This month I had the good fortune to engage with leaders in sustainability from around the country with the Center for Whole Communities at Knoll Farm, located above the Mad River Valley in Vermont. Over the course of a week, under the leadership of facilitators Kaylynn Sullivan TwoTrees, Matt Kolan, and Carolyn Finney, we visioned sustainability and collaboration in our work to inspire social change.
As a land-based leadership development organization, the Center for Whole Communities brings together leaders of different race, class, profession and ideology to find shared purpose and renew their collective strength.
The fellowship is designed to innovative and invite responses from different sectors of the environmental and social movements to address the complexity of today’s challenges, such as the fragmentation that exists in American society around politics, race, class and privilege.
I remain grateful for a gift I am still unpacking that has already infused my work with greater clarity and inspiration.
Thank you Center for Whole Communities for such a rich and powerful experience.