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When you Explore Rabun, you’ll discover Our Mountain Treasure!

Good news… It’s June and that means it’s National Great Outdoors Month! In 2019, the US Senate joined state governors from across the country in officially designated June as the month in which to celebrate the great outdoors. And why is this such great news, you may ask? This celebration brings not only obvious health benefits, but social and economic benefits as well, especially here in Rabun County. In past years, outdoor recreation has contributed more than $400 billion to the US economy, approximately 2.2% of total US GDP, and provided over 4.5 million jobs across the country. Over the past few years these numbers have only continued to rise. Outdoor recreation is a vital part of life and living in our area and aren’t we lucky that our viability depends on something so wonderful as the beautiful natural landscape that surrounds us, rather than something like heavy industry or other environmentally unfriendly businesses.

We are so fortunate as to live amongst the mountains, trees, lakes and streams and as a result, we live a better quality of life. Whether you’re embarking on your very first hike or pitching a tent for the hundredth time, National Great Outdoors Month is the perfect excuse to head outside and explore. So, join in the party! The list of ways to celebrate the outdoors is virtually endless. Here are a few ideas…

country come together to pick up trash, maintain trails, and spiffy up our green spaces. Consider planning your own informal volunteer hike by bringing a trash bag and gloves out to pick up trash on your favorite trail. We have trails galore all over our county that could always use a little love. June 4-12 is National Fishing & Boating Week. Cast your line! What you reel in may be even better than just a fish, a moment worth remembering. June 11th, National Get Outdoors Day, will also be the first annual celebration of the City of Clayton’s designation as an Appalachian Trail Hiker Destination Community. Come to the pavilions at the Rabun County Civic Center to participate in all the free fun festivities. I have it on good authority that Smokey the Bear and Woodsy the Owl will be in attendance, along with good food, live music and lots of other great activities. Learn about the A.T. and what it means to our community. June 13-17 is Outdoor Stewardship Week. Whether you’re taking care of public or private land, good stewardship benefits everyone, most especially yourself. June 25th is the National Wildlife Federation’s Great American Campout. Get out the marshmallows and sleeping bags and enjoy an evening under the stars, even if it’s just in your own backyard! And there’re many more! Even if you don’t choose to participate in an organized event, just getting outside to spend the day with family, friends or to enjoy a solitary stroll through the woods will do your body and soul great good. Did you know that spending at least two hours a week in nature is associated with good health? Forest Bathing, or Shinrin Yoku in Japanese, means to spend time immersed in a forest environment to improve physical and mental health. Natural light, exercise and exposure to green and water spaces have all been shown to boost vitamin D and energy levels, improve sleep, self-esteem and your immune system as well as reduce weight and anxiety. Here in Rabun County, we are blessed to be surrounded by an amazing mountain environment and it is a part of everything we are. Embrace it, take care of it, protect it, share it and celebrate it. It is our Mountain Treasure!