“It’s Beautiful Out Here”
Brigitte Griswold, Outdoor Afro friend and Director of Youth Programs says, "The Program brings students from all different backgrounds to work together towards a shared set of conservation goals. For many of these urban youth, it’s their first time living outside of the city, their first extended time in nature, their first paid job, their first opportunity to swim in a lake or a river, to camp and kayak. All of these "firsts" combine to provide a truly transformational experience. And when they return to the City, they become ambassadors for conservation in their families and communities."
Great job Brigitte and the Nature Conservancy! Learn more about these courageous kids and this amazing program by clicking HERE!
December’s Bird of the Month
Douglas “Birdman” Grey, Outdoor Afro Contributor
As one who spends a lot of time outdoors, I've noticed that nature seems harsh at times. Even with birds, their lives can sometimes seem brutal. And some birds even appear to be equipped with "Weapons of War". Keen and intense eyes, swept-back wings, sleek aerodynamic bodies, razor-sharp talons and menacing beaks.
But the Bird of the Month for this month, doesn't possess any of these weapons of war. This month's bird is the common, but not so commonly known, Ruddy Duck.
When it comes to ducks, we as humans typically consider them to be ..."cute". We are usually introduced to ducks even before we can speak. They animate our baby books. They cover our baby bibs. They float in our baby baths. They're symbols of cheer for us, usually from an early age. And this is probably because they're just so ding dang ..."cute".
The Ruddy Duck is an odd bird but it is, in my opinion ..."cute". I find the rattling sounds this bird makes during courtship a bit odd ... but cute. During the breeding season the male's bill turns a bright blue. I find a blue bill on a bird a bit odd … yet cute. They have an odd looking spiked tail, which is often times held straight up, which makes them look even more ..."cute".
While checking out a very large retention pond a few weeks back, I noticed a number of different species of waterfowl out on the water and among them were about 80 or so Ruddy Ducks. I spent almost an hour observing them, all the while thinking, "Awwww...those Ruddys...they are just soooo cute!"
(Just then a Bald Eagle swooped in, snatched one right out of the water, and carried it off for consumption. The life of birds can seem brutal at times.)
Douglas “Birdman” Gray has been birding almost all of his life. He grew up on a family farm near Clarksville, Tennessee, where they grew crops ranging from apricots to wheat, and most things in between. They also raised chickens, guineas, pigs, horses, and a cow named…….Apples. Doug’s grandfather identified the birds they would see daily on the farm.
Doug now resides in Indianapolis and works in Parenteral Engineering with Eli Lilly and Company. Most of his current birding takes place in Indiana, with a concentration on Central Indiana, where he leads bird walks for “Backyard Birds”. Doug can be reached at 317-255-7333.
Image is Everything
By Outdoor Afro Contributor, Javaughn Fernanders
There is an uneasy predictable phrase I hear after requesting my family’s presence in the great outdoors: “You don’t see us out there!”
Seeing. We are told not to believe what we see, and yet we trust our eyes not only to reveal truths about our immediate environment, but to tell us about our cultural practices. This is why in 2010, I created a campaign of six posters named “Your History is Waiting For You,” to encourage African-Americans to reconnect to an environmental community from which we have been visually disconnected.
The creation of the posters were part of a three-part project, which also included a comparison of photography of African-Americans in nature.
Before the Great Depression, images of Black bodies in nature could be categorized as exploited laborers, lazy workers, or as terrorized victims. Of course, these images are not our true story. African- Americans have and continue to be in nature, which includes vocations, religious ritual, environmental justice, and in the preservation and conservation of natural resources.
Unfortunately, many mainstream environmental publications have omitted images of African-Americans positively engaged in the outdoors. And this has created a popular perception that African-Americans are not connected to environmentalism and outdoor recreation. Therefore, I encourage my fellow readers of Outdoor Afro to share family photos that depict people of all hues engaged with and enjoying the great outdoors. Share your photos with this site, or with schools, and in other places where our faces are not often visible. Also, download the posters and put them in your home, classroom, church, or environmental organization. Let’s create a new vision of ourselves outdoors and return to the history that waits for us.
Javaughn Renee is a 40 year old writer and artist currently living in South Bend, Indiana, but missing sunny California. She is a nature loving, yoga teaching, parent, striving to live simply and with love. In 2010, she completed a Master’s Degree in Liberal Arts. Her research focuses on images of African Americans and nature and their effects on stereotypes. She has written for regional and national publications and blogs regularly about her unique parenting situation at “Mezclados.wordpress.com.”
Honoring Teachers Who Use Nature to Inspire Learning
Larry Volpe was recently honored aboard a Lindblad Expeditions/National Geographic Cruise around the San Francisco Bay for his innovative use of the outdoors to enhance classroom learning for his 5th grade students at Daniel Lairon Elementary School in Santa Clara County, CA. He said, "I spend 1000-plus hours a year on outdoor trips, gardening, home visits, taking kids to sporting events and much more, [these activities] bring me closer to the students and families and make what I do all the more worthwhile."
Many thanks to the Children and Nature Network for such an informative and thought provoking award and celebratory event, in which Outdoor Afro was glad to participate.
Below is a break in the cruise action after an afternoon of kayaking in the San Francisco Bay -- what an appropriate way to honor such an amazing teacher!
Can you spot the happy Outdoor Afro?
Photo: Claudia Tammen
Click to learn more about the Natural Teachers Network and view more photos!
Tips for Cold Weather Hiking
Inspired by recent Outdoor Afro Facebook and Twitter conversations, Virgina State Parks let me know about a recent article they posted, written by John Gresham, about how to enjoy the wonderful changes in the weather -- thanks VSP for allowing us to share such a timely post -- read on:
For many people, the season to enjoy the state parks is over. The thermometer barely hits 50 degrees on a warm day. Snow is in the forecast as early as Thanksgiving in some places. It seems that the best way to enjoy the outdoors over the winter is to watch ESPN on Saturday mornings.
But, have you ever noticed deer and waterfowl hunters? Sometimes they come home empty handed and talk about what a great day they had. There is a special beauty and peace in the solitude of outdoor winter activities. As an outdoor photographer, I look forward to the colors of fallen leaves among evergreens, snow, and waterfowl that only visit us this time of year. The key to having fun outside in cold weather is to stay warm, safe, and sensible.
Stay Warm: Hypothermia (lowering of your body temperature) is the killer of the unprepared
- Wear a hat or hood- 40 to 50% of your body heat is lost through your head.
- Wear mittens, waterproof boots, and a windproof jacket- protect the rest of your body.
- Wear wool or synthetic fabrics- when cotton gets wet, it pulls heat from your body.
- When hiking, move slow enough that you don't sweat- sweat is how your body cools off.
- Don't sit on cold rocks- they will draw heat from her body.
- Eat high energy snacks- nuts and dried fruit will fuel your body's "furnace".
- If you start to shiver, head for the closest warm place.
Stay Safe: Guard against falling on slippery surfaces.
- Be careful where you step- exposed rock or bare ground is far safer than packed snow or icy surfaces.
- Don't step on wet wood or icy, sloping rocks- you could slip and get injured.
- Choose trails wisely- If a trail gets too slippery, turn back or take a different trail
- Leave your dog at home- Dogs pull on their leashes and you. This increases your likely-hood of slipping or stumbling.
Stay Sensible: Your mind is your best safety and survival tool.
- Drink water- to avoid dehydration.
- Wear sunglasses- when the sun glares on snowy ground.
- Bring a whistle- to use if you become injured or lost.
- Stay alert- for signs of cold exhaustion in yourself or hiking partners. Shorten a hike if necessary.
- Hike with a partner- reduce your risk and enjoy the outdoors with someone.
- Carry your map and car keys in a place where they won't get lost.
Stay warm when hiking outdoors. Stay alert too. You never know what nature has to offer this season.
Rio Grande Valley Birding Festival
Check out this guest blog by friend Dudley Edmondson from his blog, Fit Guy Outdoors, which currently highlights a birding trip from the Rio Grande Valley Birding Festival that includes some more Outdoor Afros you may recognize!
Had the pleasure last week of being invited to the Rio Grande Valley Birding Festival in southern Texas. Had no idea that I would have so much fun. I was flown in to accompany attendees to designated birding location and help them identify and find birds. With over 20 years of birding and bird photography to my credit it seemed like an enjoyable and easy task.
With the help of local tour leader, Roy Rodriguez we took bus loads of birders out to pad their life list with new birds. Highlights included: Red –crowned parrot, Rudy ground dove, Crimson collared grosbeak, Least grebe and Aplomado Falcon.
Roy is one of the most amazing human vessels of knowledge I have ever met. He was never at a loss for information on the history of south Texas, its people or its birds. Many of the participants including myself were truly mesmerized by Roy’s extensive knowledge.
Perhaps the most amazing things about the festival that may have gone unnoticed by many in attendance was that it was perhaps the most culturally diverse birding festival ever held in the United States. Granted the numbers were not that high but of the 400-500 folks in attendance there were perhaps 8-10 people of color present as trip guides, attendees and vendors. None of this would have been possible without the forward thinking of Festival coordinator and longtime friend Mary Gustafson. Mary is no dummy she is fully aware of the fact that without young birders and more people of color birding simply has no future. So this year she stacked the deck by bringing in the most knowledgeable young birders she could find and then contacting me to help with ethnic diversity. In turn I brought in friends Dr. Drew Lanham, Associate Professor of Forestry and Natural Resources at Clemson University and Douglas Wayne Gray avid birder and member of the Indiana Audubon Society. Together with local Roy Rodriguez we made up the most noticeable diversity at the conference, as designated trip leaders.
This is just the latest of many efforts within the birding community to bring about a shift in who in America sees themselves as birders. Also in attendance at the Conference were Dave Mapgiong and Paul Baicich co-founders of the Fledging Birder’s Institute who’s main objective is to engage younger and more ethnically diverse birdwatchers. They’ve planned a conference on the subject for the fall of 2011 with a huge emphasize on ethnic diversity in birding.
Perhaps the most lasting effect of the festival will be the newfound friends in Roy, Dave, Paul and Jeremiah Alexander. All the folks mentioned have bonded and are already planning our next big adventure. We also realize now how many of us are out there are pushing change in the outdoors and plan to work together on this issue at every opportunity.
Angela Medlin Brings Urban Flair to The North Face
In a recent Outdoor Afro Facebook discussion about African-Americans in the outdoor retail industry, a comment from Angela Medlin especially caught my eye when she mentioned her role as a clothing designer for The North Face. As much as I love sharing the many Outdoor Afro adventures in the field, I also think it is important to shed light on the brown faces behind the scenes who make a big impact on the gear we depend on, and also learn what inspires them. Here is my interview with Angela, who brings a "city inspired" twist to The North Face brand:
Angela, tell us about what you love about the outdoors?
It's an amazing space to gain genuine perspective. A few years ago on a trip to Africa, I remembered saying to myself: "look how small I am, compared to the vastness of the Serengeti" and then later feeling so majestic while sitting on a rock, overlooking tree tops in Yosemite. It's fascinating. Calming. Invigorating. Spiritually enlightening. Freedom.
Was it an important part of your childhood?
Yes! I grew up in the south (in "the country", as they say), spending very hot summers mostly outside from dawn to dusk, often barefoot, racing through plum bushes and and backroads with my cousins. It was pure freedom! At the end of the day, we all proudly wore clouds of dust and could barely stay awake through dinner (I miss that feeling!). The only way to keep me indoors was to give me an art project to complete (that's still the case). Otherwise, I was exploring the outdoors through abandoned buildings, nearby pastures, and overgrown dirt roads. That was my first introduction to urban exploration! There were a few sprained ankles and skinned knees but all of that was just part of the adventure! A clean band aide and half of a pb&j sandwich later, it was business as usual! The outdoors fueled my imagination. Even on the rainy days, I would sit outside, waiting for the crack of thunder and lightning to light up the trees!...And then there was the amazing smell of the first summer rain hitting dust ...or the smell of firewood burning in the cold winter air! Great memories!
Angela's East African Safari Experience:
How did you begin working in outdoor equipment/clothing?
Hmmm, somewhere between "by accident" and "on purpose"... I’ve been an apparel designer for 20 years. Most of my career was spent designing active wear for companies like Adidas and casual sportswear for companies like Levi Strauss, Inc. One of the growing trends and focus in the apparel industry is urban exploration. The North Face, found my background and fashionable twist on performance apparel well suited for the direction they were taking their outerwear. So, I was hired to create a new category for them - city inspired outerwear. Off the mountain fashion worn by celebrities and professional athletes alike.
Our forebearers did not have Gortex, so why is the gear available now important for outdoor activities?
True, some of the most impressive outdoor athletes reached the summit of Mt. Everest without the new technologies and lived to tell about it. However, technically advanced materials allow athletes and novice to perform better in extreme weather conditions. Today’s engineered materials/garments allow for healthier exploration. Clothing is made to be lighter weight yet durable, waterproof and breathable, weather blocking and ventilated, protects against microbials, keeps the body warm and dry, cool and calm, and can be customized to fit specific activity needs. Some material technologies can actually interface with your electronic media. This allows for better communication and safety when you need it....and who wouldn’t want a faster, better, easier way to protect yourself on or off the mountain!
How might people outfit themselves affordably? Any tips?
Choose quality over quantity! Purchase a couple of great pieces from brands that have a reputation for lasting, durable materials, and construction. Gauge the brand’s innovations against their competitors. Tip: look for the outlet stores of your favorite brand! You may find exactly what you are looking for in the price range that is affordable...and who cares if it’s bright purple!
What is on your bucket list for outdoor fun?
If you had asked me this question 7 years ago, I would have had several items in the bucket! Being a designer in the outdoor industry has introduced me to ways of being in the great outdoors that I’ve never experienced before! From mountain biking and rafting in the La Sal mountains of Utah to ice climbing in Banff, Canada, my bucket list is getting shorter. For now, especially after this interview, I really just want to kick off my shoes and run barefoot down a dusty road....and wait for the rains to come! ;-)
To learn more about Angela's outerwear designs, here is her website -- click the DESIGNER tab.
November's Bird of the Month
While leading a team building exercise (birdwatching of course) at work a few months ago, the group encountered this month's Bird of the Month. Someone said to me, “I didn’t know we had birds like that around here.” This month's bird elicits that kind of comment from folks who've never seen it before, even though it is actually quite a common bird. Matter-of-fact, it is one of the most widespread birds in all of North America.
The featured bird of the month is the large and loud Belted Kingfisher.
While leading another bird hike this past month a lady asked me, “What in the world is making all that noise?” What she heard was a Belted Kingfisher. They do kick up a lot of racket. Their call is not only loud, but a bit “harsh” as well. You are far more likely to hear one before you see one because they will start making their rattling calls when disturbed. They make all this noise in defense of territory. If it perceives a menace to its territory, it makes that clamorous call. If that doesn’t rid the area of what it doesn’t like, it will then give aerial chase to unwanted intruders.
Belted Kingfishers are relatively large (about 12 inches in length). They are short-legged, big-headed, big-billed birds (their head and bill are so big in proportion to the rest of their body…they look almost comical to me).
I find Belted Kingfishers quite interesting. One of the things that I find most interesting about them is that they are the only bird I’ve ever seen in which the female is actually more colorful than the male. Male Belted Kingfishers are blue and white. The female is identical except she has a chestnut-colored band across her chest and down her sides.
As their name implies, fish is the main stay of a kingfisher’s diet. They are often seen perched from a vantage point that allows them to see their prey in clear water and then dive in to collect. However, sometimes I’ve seen them hover above water and then make their dives. I wish more folks could catch them do this, because it’s actually a spectacular site to see.
Belted Kingfishers remain in our area as long as open water remains. So, if you've yet to see this kingfisher, let this be a target bird before winter sets in.
Douglas “Birdman” Gray has been birding almost all of his life. He grew up on a family farm near Clarksville, Tennessee, where they grew crops ranging from apricots to wheat, and most things in between. They also raised chickens, guineas, pigs, horses, and a cow named…….Apples. Doug’s grandfather identified the birds they would see daily on the farm.
Doug now resides in Indianapolis and works in Parenteral Engineering with Eli Lilly and Company. Most of his current birding takes place in Indiana, with a concentration on Central Indiana, where he leads bird walks for “Backyard Birds”. Doug can be reached at 317-255-7333.
Who Are You Anyway?
People always ask me who visits Outdoor Afro? Well, here is a snapshot of who Quantcast thinks you are (don't ask how they come up with these numbers), although the data is actually pretty consistent with my own survey results from last year:
Compared to other websites, a significant number of you are African-American women making more than 100K/year, and grad school educated. Also according to the site, you are likely to enjoy topics such as travel, politics, sci-fi, fashion, and non-profits. Many of you have young children, but because of the older, core demographic, you are also likely to have children 17 and up, and/or are influential in the life of a youth as an auntie or community leader.
I think you guys are a great catch, and I am so glad you help make up this inspired community!
The Impact of Oprah’s Yosemite Adventure
It sure has been a great week to love the outdoors and be African American! Last Friday and today, as I tuned in to Oprah and Gayle to see their adventure in Yosemite National Park, I was completely enamored. Beyond the expected funny quips and comical equipment mishaps, I experienced (as if for the first time) a magical moment: moving images of people who looked like me enjoying a National Park.
The show theme was prompted by Outdoor Afro friend Shelton Johnson by a letter he wrote a couple of years ago inviting Oprah to visit. Shelton knew back then that just a tiny sprinkle of Oprah’s fairy dust could bring the National Parks into focus for Americans, particularly for African Americans, in a new and innovative way.
While I have been in the business of making the visual connection between African Americans and the outdoors, the moment I saw Gayle and Oprah with Shelton and Half-Dome in the horizon, I switched seamlessly from purveyor to customer. The beauty of Oprah and Gayle in that stunning natural space helped me visualize myself there.
And apparently I was not alone in my inspiration. Just after the show, my friend’s 78-year-old father phoned to say that he would like to visit Yosemite with her, and they have made a pact to go in 2011.
But the positive impact this show could have on families with young children is important. Those of us in the outdoor recreation field know that parents, especially mothers, are gatekeepers of outdoor experiences for their families. Therefore, in order for outdoor engagement to become a sustained activity for a new community, there needs to be a lot of support to address barriers such as fears and perceptions, equipment, and repeated, positive visual articulation of what it can look like. See this REI ad as a great model.
So Oprah getting out there camping as an African-American woman is significant, in that it demonstrates possibility. Her televised camping experience is the break-through moment that the field has been waiting for, and has needed in order for the outdoors to become relevant to a wider audience.
It is Outdoor Afro’s hope that the buzz that has come from her effort will not only open up new dialog and inspire new audiences, but also convert this new interest into real outdoor engagement and stewardship.
Did you watch the second half of the show today? What did you think?
Visit the Outdoor Afro Community to find people in your area to join in the outdoors!