outdoors

“Leave No Trace: Practicing Outdoor Ethics”

“We do not inherit the Earth from our ancestors; we borrow it from our children.”

-Native American Proverb.

The term “Leave No Trace” refers to a set of outdoor ethics promoting conservation and responsible recreation. It encourages individuals to enjoy nature without causing lasting impact. At its core, Leave No Trace means: minimizing human impact on natural environments, being mindful about how we interact with nature, whether hiking, camping, or spending time outdoors. The movement is composed of seven principles.

  1. Plan Ahead and Prepare

Know the area, weather, and regulations. Proper planning reduces risk and minimizes impact.

  1. Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces

Stick to marked trails and campsites, this reduces damage to fragile ecosystems.

  1. Dispose of Waste Properly

Take out what you bring, including all trash, leftover food, and litter. Use designated restrooms or dig holes for human waste when possible.

  1. Leave What you Find

Preserve existing ecosystems. Avoid the temptation to pick plants, disturb wildlife, or take artifacts.

  1. Minimize Campfire Impact

Use a camp stove or established fire rings. Keep fires small and ensure they are fully extinguished.

  1. Respect Wildlife

Observe animals from a distance. Never attempt to feed them, doing so disrupts their natural behavior and diet. It also poses a risk to their safety.

  1. Be Considerate of Other Visitors

Be respectful with noise, yield on trails, and respect others’ experience of nature.

Leave No Trace goes well beyond the outdoor wilderness setting. It can also be applied to both urban and suburban settings. Consider your local parks, community gardens and outdoor event spaces. We can also apply this practice towards reducing our digital and consumer “trace.” Consider reducing consumable waste such as single use plastics, and disposable goods, and reducing food waste with mindful consumption and purchasing. The leave no trace philosophy also supports personal wellness. How we treat ourselves and the environment supports better mental and physical health. Nature is a space for healing and reflection.

Strong communities are built through shared responsibility. There are local and statewide organizations that you can become involved with to support outdoor ethics. Start on your journey to Leaving No Trace.

 

Written by: Sofia Carter, Family and Consumer Sciences Educator, Ohio State University Extension Champaign County

Reviewed by: Shannon Carter, Family and Consumer Sciences Assistant Professor, Ohio State University Fairfield County

 

Sources:

Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics. (n.d.). The 7 principles. https://lnt.org/why/7-principles/

Ohio State University Extension. (2020). Using a Community Supported Agriculture Share to Plan Family Meals (HYG-5593). Ohioline. https://ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/hyg-5593

The Nature Conservancy. (n.d.). Get involved in Ohio. The Nature Conservancy. https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/where-we-work/united-states/ohio/get-involved/

 

Biophilia: Bringing Nature Home

“Study nature, love nature, stay close to nature. It will never fail you.”

Frank Lloyd Wright

sitting in nature

If you were asked to picture a place where you felt most calm and content, what would you say? A beach? Your favorite chair? Outside in a garden? It is amazing to hear people describe their “happy place.” Most of the time they describe something that is outdoors … a warm, sandy beach, being under the stars or reading on the porch. And yet, they do not realize the deep connection that exists between nature and their health. But it does exist…and it is called biophilia.

Biophilia simply means love of life. The word biophilia was first used by Erich Fromm and made popular by Harvard naturalist Edward Wilson. It is defined as the “love of living things and nature, which some people believe humans are born with.” It is theorized that humans have an innate connection to nature which make us feel content. Perhaps this is why I have a collection of seashells and rocks on the windowsills in my home. Or why I always have an herb on my desk at work and enjoy smelling their fragrance. Nature simply makes me feel better and more alive. And I don’t need to read books or conduct research to know this because I feel it inside me and trust its healing power.

More people are becoming aware of this as well, as there have been four decades of scientific studies which document that spending time in nature clearly improves our health and can (among many things), lower blood pressure, decrease anxiety, and increase longevity. But how much time is needed to reap these benefits, you might be asking yourself. There are several schools of thought, but according to one evidenced based study, 120 minutes per week is what is needed to notice the health benefits (about 17 minutes a day or 2 hours a week). The good news is that this time spent outdoors in nature can be as simple as sitting on a park bench or walking around your back yard.

It is easy to incorporate biophilia in your home, work, and in your community. You just need to have a direct contact with nature and live in a way that connects you to outside spaces. For example, at home you can open the blinds and let in more natural sunlight! You can also begin to use natural things such as linens, stones, and driftwood to decorate a home. At work, consider moving your desk, so it is facing an outdoor window that allows you to look outside, see nature and let in fresh air to help you to feel more inspired. And in your community, almost any community space can benefit from a community garden or by simply adding plants to social spaces.

Nature is important for all of us and for many reasons. But today, I hope you will consider spending 17 minutes under a tree! Or at least consider eating your lunch outside because nature matters.

For more information and resources on nature and spending time outdoors, visit the Nature Matters website at go.osu.edu/nature-matters.

Written by: Shari Gallup, Assistant Professor, Family and Consumer Sciences, OSU Extension, Licking County.

Reviewed by: Laura Stanton, Extension Educator, Family and Consumer Sciences, OSU Extension, Warren County.

Photo Credit: Adobe Stock, 418228306

References:

Cambridge Dictionary. https://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dictionary/english/biophilia

Colino, Stacey. (2023). Brining Nature inside can improve your health. Here’s how to do it. The Washington Post. https://www.washingtonpost.com/home/2023/06/02/how-to-outdoors-nature-home/

Morris, B. (2020, 02-14). For better health during the pandemic, is two hours outdoors the new 10,000 steps? The Wall Street Journal. https://www.wsj.com/articles/for-better-health-during-the-pandemic-is-two-hours-outdoors-the-new-10-000-steps-11613304002

National Initiative for Consumer Horticulture. Plants do that inside where we live.  https://consumerhort.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/PlantsDoThat-Indoors-WhereWeLive.pdf

Sutte, J. (2016). Greater Good Magazine Science Based Insights For a Meaningful Life. https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/how_nature_makes_you_kinder_happier_more_creative

Weir, K. (2020). Nurtured by Nature. American Psychological Association. https://www.apa.org/monitor/2020/04/nurtured-nature

White, M.P., Alcock, I., Grellier, J. et al. Spending at least 120 minutes a week in nature is associated with good health and wellbeing. Sci Rep 9, 7730 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-019-44097-3.

It’s Tick Season; Be Tick Aware

small tick and large tick

Longer days and warmer weather have many of us outside, in the garden, on trails and enjoying all that Spring and Summer have to offer. Remember tick exposure may occur year around, yet ticks are most active during warmer months. Outdoor enthusiasts and pet owners be cautious.   Ticks and the disease they carry are on the rise in Ohio. This year is predicted to be a heavy tick season.  The factors that contribute to these growing numbers are tick range expansion and the increase of wildlife living near people. Here are some tips to keep you and your family safe this tick season.

Know before you go outdoors:

  • Know where to expect ticks- they live in grassy, brushy, or wooded areas or on animals. Walking your dog, camping, gardening or outdoors exposes you to ticks.
  • Wear light colored clothing, long sleeve shirts with pants tucked into socks.
  • Apply a tick repellent according to the directions.
  • Purchase clothing and footwear treated with tick repellent.
  • Protect pets with a tick repellent recommended by your veterinarian.
  • Keep dogs on a leash and avoid grassy areas.

After you come indoors:

  • Check clothing for ticks. Ticks can be carried into the house on clothing. Wash clothes and dry on high heat to destroy ticks.
  • Examine your gear and pets.
  • Check your body for ticks upon return.  Use a handheld mirror to view all parts of your body.  Check all areas especially under the arms, in and around the ears, inside belly button and the back of knees, in and around the hair, inside of legs and around the waist. 
  • Examine your animals for ticks. Especially around the ears, tail, back legs, between toes, eyelids, under the collar and under the front legs.

Create a tick-safe zone in your yard:

  • Remove leaf litter.
  • Clear tall grass and brush around the house and lawns.
  • Place a 3-foot barrier of woods chips or gravel between lawns and wooded areas.
  • Mow the lawn frequently.
  • Keep playground equipment, decks, and patios away from trees.
  • Remove old furniture, mattresses or trash from the yard that give ticks a place to hide.
  • Do frequent tick checks of your body while outside and do a thorough inspection at shower time.
  • Protect your pets with an anti-tick product recommended by a veterinarian.
  • Keep dogs on a leash and avoid allowing them into weedy areas.

If you find a tick attached:

  • Do not crush or puncture.
  • Grasp tick as close to skin as able using pointy tweezers and pull straight up and out with steady pressure.
  • Wash the tick site, hands and tweezers with warm water and soap.
  • Place the tick in a container with rubbing alcohol or hand sanitizer.  Record the day the tick was attached to skin.
  • If you develop flu-like symptoms, rash, or anything unusual, contact your physician for follow up treatment. Bring the tick specimen with you to your appointment.

Have a safe summer and be tick smart.  Follow these guidelines to protect you and your family.

Written by:  Beth Stefura, OSU Extension Educator, Mahoning County, stefura.2@osu.edu

Reviewed by:  Margaret Jenkins, OSU Extension Educator, Clermont County, jenkins.188@osu.edu

References:

Tickborne Diseases in Ohio | Ohio Department of Health

Ticks in Ohio | Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ohiodnr.gov)

Ticks and Tick-Borne Diseases | Ohioline (osu.edu)Ticks | Ticks | CDC

How’s Your Environmental Wellness?

Group of diverse volunteers

And I think to myself…. what a wonderful world.
~ Louis Armstrong

Being environmentally well means “recognizing the responsibility to preserve, protect, and improve the environment and appreciating your connection to nature.” In other words, environmental wellness happens when the different surroundings in your life enhance your health and wellbeing. This includes your home, your workplace, your local community, your natural surroundings, and the planet.

Three aspects of environmental wellness include: paying attention to the different environments that you spend time in, making an effort to spend time outdoors, and being more sustainable (AKA “going green”).

Health Benefits of Environmental Wellness Across the Lifespan

No matter what your age, research demonstrates the far-ranging health benefits of environmental wellness. For example:

  • Children who play outside in nature develop superior motor skills, balance, and coordination compared to children who play on traditional playgrounds.
  • Teens and young adults report feeling calmer, less stressed, and lower anxiety after spending time in nature.
  • Adults reduce their risk of chronic diseases including asthma, diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, and stroke when they spend time in green space.
  • Senior adults who garden reduce their risk of dementia by 36%, even more than those who walk every day.

How can you start improving your environmental wellness? Commit to spending more time outdoors, being more green in your purchasing decisions, and actively caring for the environment. You can also try these simple activities:

  • Write nature into your schedule. Grab a bag and pick up litter while you are out.
  • Bike or walk rather than drive. If you drive, carpool when possible.
  • Use reusable water bottles, mugs, and shopping bags to limit waste.
  • Add houseplants to your home and work environments to improve indoor air quality and to psychologically link us to nature.
  • Learn about recycling in your community and recycle as much as possible.
  • Avoid purchasing single-use plastic and pack waste-free lunches.
  • Plan your food purchases to avoid food waste and compost food scraps.
  • Encourage local schools to recycle, compost, and host community gardens.
  • Decrease your use of energy and water.
  • Grow native plants to provide shelter and food for wildlife and support pollinators.
  • Donate your time or money to organizations that protect the environment.

Satish Kumar said, “We are nature.” Environmental wellness helps us recognize our connection to the natural world and realize that when we help our environment, we help ourselves. It is important, however, to point out that not everyone has equal access to nature or green environments, due to limited green space, accessibility limitations, safety concerns, and financial resources. We all need to work together not only to protect the natural world but to also ensure that everyone can reap the health benefits of environmental wellness equally.

For More Information

  • On sustainability, visit the OSU Extension Sustainability website to find Trash-Free Trails, Reducing Your Single Use Plastic Waste, and many other tip sheets. In addition, there are many educational videos as well as a sustainable home tour: https://fcs.osu.edu/programs/resources/sustainability
  • On the importance of nature and spending time outdoors, visit the Nature Matters website created by OSU Extension, Warren County: go.osu.edu/nature-matters

Written by Laura Stanton, Family and Consumer Sciences Educator, Ohio State University Extension, Warren County, stanton.60@osu.edu.

Reviewed by Shannon Carter, Family and Consumer Sciences Educator, Ohio State University Extension, Fairfield County, carter.413@osu.edu.

Photo Credit: Image by rawpixel.com

References:

Bickel, N. B. (2021, September 13). Youth report feeling physically, mentally better after spending time in nature. University of Michigan Health. https://healthblog.uofmhealth.org/wellness-prevention/youth-report-feeling-physically-mentally-better-after-spending-time-nature

Ingunn Fjørtoft. (2004). Landscape as playscape: The effects of natural environments on children’s play and motor development. Children, Youth and Environments, 14(2), 21–44. http://www.jstor.org/stable/10.7721/chilyoutenvi.14.2.0021

Kumar, S. (2019). Elegant Simplicity: The Art of Living Well. New Society Publishers.

Melnyk, B. M., and Neale, S. (2018, January). Nine dimensions of wellness. American Nurse Today, 13 (1). https://www.myamericannurse.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/ant1-Wellness-1218.pdf

Simons, L. A., Simons, J., McCallum, J., & Friedlander, Y. (2006). Lifestyle factors and risk of dementia: Dubbo study of the elderly. The Medical Journal of Australia, 184(2), 68–70. https://doi.org/10.5694/j.1326-5377.2006.tb00120.x

Stanton, L. (2021) Ten tips for packing waste-free lunches. Ohio State University Extension. https://go.osu.edu/waste-free-lunches

Twohig-Bennett, C., & Jones, A. (2018). The health benefits of the great outdoors: A systematic review and meta-analysis of greenspace exposure and health outcomes. Environmental Research, 166, 628–637. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2018.06.030

Get Out! Celebrate Nature on Earth Day and Every Day

A great way to celebrate Earth Day is spending time outside and connecting with nature. Time in nature offers an easy and inexpensive way to increase your happiness, improve your mood, and feel part of something larger than yourself. Studies have shown that getting outside can:

  • Improve your memory and attention: After just an hour interacting with nature, memory performance and attention spans improved by 20%. In workplaces designed with nature in mind, employees are more productive and take less sick time.
  • Heal: Patients in hospital rooms with a view of trees had shorter stays and less need for pain medications compared to patients with views of brick.
  • Improve psychological well-being: Joggers who exercised in a natural green setting felt less anxious, angry, or depressed than people who jogged in an urban setting.
Child running outside under flowering trees

We also know from research that children who spend time outdoors are more likely to develop positive environmental attitudes and behaviors as adults. One of the best ways you can take care of our planet is to encourage children and youth to get outside.

Richard Louv, author of Last Child in the Woods, has created an expansive list of activities to encourage children to spend more time outdoors. Here are just a few ideas you can try with your children or grandchildren:

  1. Maintain a birdbath, grow native plants, or build a bat house. For more ideas, read National Audubon Society’s Invitation to a Healthy Yard.
  2. Collect lightning bugs at dusk and release them at dawn.
  3. Keep a terrarium or aquarium and learn about the plants and animals you observe.
  4. Be a cloud spotter; build a backyard weather station. A young person just needs a view of the sky. Check out The Kid’s Book of Weather Forecasting for more ideas.
  5. Encourage a “green hour” every day. Give kids a daily green hour that includes time outside, unstructured play, and interaction with the natural world.
  6. Collect stones. Even the youngest children love gathering rocks, shells, and fossils. Read Rock and Fossil Hunter by Ben Morgan together.
  7. Learn about and raise butterflies. Consider purchasing a monarch rearing kit and growing milkweed so you can hatch and release your own butterflies.
  8. Hang up a bird feeder and watch birds. Have them close their eyes and just listen. For more tips, check out National Audubon Society’s Easy Ways to Get Kids Birding and Bird Sleuth Investigator from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology.

No matter what you do while you are outdoors, remember that simply going outside is the most important step. Despite all the positive benefits of being outdoors, according to the EPA, Americans spend approximately 90% of their time indoors. On this Earth Day, make a pledge to get out more and bring some young people with you. Nurturing the next generation of our planet’s caretakers is a perfect way to celebrate!

References:

Bratman, G. N., Daily, G. C., Levy, B. J., & Gross, J. J. (2015). The benefits of nature experience: Improved affect and cognition. Landscape and Urban Planning, 138, 41-50. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landurbplan.2015.02.005

Louv, R. (2008). Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children from Nature-Deficit Disorder. Chapel Hill, NC: Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill.

Taylor, A. & Kuo, M. (2006). Is contact with nature important for healthy child development? state of the evidence. Children and their Environments: Learning, Using and Designing Spaces. 124-140.
https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511521232.009

Ulrich, R. S. (1984). View through a window may influence recovery from surgery. Science, 224 (4647), 420–421. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.6143402

Wells, N. M. & Lekies, K. S., (2006). Nature and the life course: Pathways from childhood nature experiences to adult environmentalism. Children, Youth and Environments, 16 (1), 41663.

Written by: Laura M. Stanton, Family and Consumer Sciences Educator, Ohio State University Extension, Warren County, stanton.60.osu.edu.

Reviewed by: Shari Gallup, Family and Consumer Sciences Educator, Ohio State University Extension, Licking County, gallup.1@osu.edu.