NATURE LEAVES
WHY THEY CHANGE
COLOR IN AUTUMN
ROSES HOW TO GROW THEM
PROTECTED NATURE
IN SWEDEN
ECOSYSTEM FOREST
COVER PHOTO: DESIGN:
www.pixelio.de Natalie Tr端eb
CONTENT PROTECTED NATURE IN SWEDEN.................................................4-7 ECOSYSTEMFOREST.......................................................................8-9 WHY DO LEAVES CHANGE COLOR IN AUTUMN?.....................10-12 SUCCESS WITH ROSES................................................................13-15 10 FAMILY FUN ACTIVITIES YOU CAN DO AT A PARK.............16-17
EDITOR NATALIE TRÜEB PHOTOGRAPHY (unless stated otherwise) / DESIGN natalie.trueeb@gmx.ch 3
PRO protect valuable nature. Over the past fifty years, humans have impacted and destroyed habitats in a far faster rate than ever before in history. We therefore need to better protect and manage our forests, streams, pastures, archipelagos, and other natural environments. Recently, marine sanctuaries have been highlighted as a way to protect other contiguous areas in the sea. There are almost 4,000 nature reserves in our country. They comprise about 85 percent of Nature reserve all surface in Sweden that is protectIn Sweden and in many other coun- ed under the Environmental Code. tries, the nature reserve is one of the Both regional and local authorimost common ways to long-term ties can establish nature reserves.
The demands on the national parks are very high; only a small number of new areas are amenable to this form of protection. Nevertheless, there are many areas left to protect, which is most commonly done by establishing nature reserves.
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Beach protection Sweden’s beaches are a natural resource of great value both for the public and for the flora and fauna that depend on aquatic environments. Since 1950, we have had the ability to protect our beaches in order to maintain public outdoor recreation. Today, the shore protection comprices land and water areas because of their biological value.
OTECTED NATURE Natura 2000
Biosphere reserves
Natura 2000 is a network of protected areas across the EU. It consisits of valuable natural areas with species or habitats that are particularly worthy of protection from a European perspective. The objective of this network is to stem the extinction of species and habitats. Sweden has about 4000 Natura 2000 sites. Many of these are nature reserves or national parks, and new areas will be in the need of full protection as nature reserves.
Sweden has five biosphere reserves. They complement national parks, reserves and other areas with high natural and cultural values. Biosphere Reserves do not protect the area in the legal sense. Instead, their purpose is to work with nature conservation and sustainable development in a new way. The aim is to create opportunities to manage the relationship between man and nature in a sustainable way, ie to simultaneously operate and preserve. Biosphere Reserves is a way for the community to test
new knowledge and practice while people live and work in the area. World heritages A World Heritage Site is a place, location, environment or object that uniquely tells about the Earth and human history. They are natural or cultural memories that are considered to be so invaluable to humanity that they must be protected and preserved for all time. On the UNESCO World Heritage list many of the world’s most beautiful and most protected natural sites are inscribed. There are fifteen World Heritage sites in Sweden. > 5
PROTECTED NATURE: AN EXAMPLE
OSET (ÖREBRO)
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etween 1878 and 1888 the level of Lake Hjälmaren was lowered by almost 2 metres to expose large expanses of prime, new agri- cultural land. But, for some reason, the reclaimed area between Örebro and the lake was less product- ive. The land yielded poor harvests and was soon abandoned. For over a century this was the town’s backyard where tons of household waste, spoil and other rubbish were dumped. The army had a large training area here, close to an oil terminal and various other industries. When the military era had ended, the landfills were overflowing and the industries had moved out, what remained was an eyesore, a shamefully mistreated piece of ground. And a strong desire to recreate something of the countryside that had long since vanished. Between 1993 and 2006 the landscape on the western shore of Lake Hjälmaren has been restored and reacquired its natural values. North of the River Svartån lies the 350 hectare nature reserve of Rynningeviken, with enclosed pastureland, almost virgin shoreline forests, water meadows, inlets with shallow reed beds and an unparalleled view across Lake Hjälmaren. Adjacent to the river is an attractive water park with ponds, winding paths, gently rolling meadows and a rich flora. In the water park there is also a Nature Centre (Naturens hus) with a café, information on nature and a nature school. South of the river the magnificent 6
old nature reserve of Oset has been extended and now covers some 250 hectares. Footpaths and cycle tracks around the boundaries of the reserve also act as embankments for regulating water levels. In spring the flooded wetlands of earlier times are temporarily recreated within the embankments, attracting large flocks of nesting birds that gather along the margins of the shallow waters. The countryside has been reclaimed just a stone’s throw from the city, and people can once again enjoy access to the lake. But more than that, the entire flora and fauna of our local plains and lakes now has the chance of a new start in life. Facts Oset Nature Reserve was established in 1968 and enlarged in 2002. Rynningeviken Nature Reserve was established in 1995. In both areas wet grass- lands have been re-established along the shore. With the discreet help of simple pump technology these are flooded each spring, attracting large numbers of nesting birds. The restored landscape is a rich mosaic of biotopes, just three kilometres from the main square (Stortorget) in Örebro. The convenient location has made it the town’s new recreation area all year round. Both nature reserves are part of the EU Natura 2000 network. TEXT: ÖREBRO KOMMUN PHOTO: NATALIE TRÜEB
Please remember! • Do not damage the ground or vegetation by digging or careless picking. • Keep your dog on a lead. • Do not leave litter in the countryside. • Feel free to walk throughout the area, but respect the fact that certain beaches and localities are closed during the nesting period. (See signs in the area.) • Light fires only at the special barbecue sites. • Spending the night in a tent or caravan is only permitted at the sites indicated. • Drive your car or other motor vehicle only on the specially indicated roads and parking places. Park at the nature reserve’s car parks.
ECOSYSTEM FOREST
A forest ecosystem is defined as an area dominated by trees and other woody plants. Forests aren’t only trees, however. Healthy forests have a lot going on in them, and many different species of both animals and plants that call them home. There are many different types of forests in the world, ranging from tropical rain forests to the dense sub-polar taiga. To truly understand a forest ecosystem, it is easiest to break it down into the five layers that most healthy forests have. Animals that live in a forest move between the layers to feed and hunt.
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forest ecosystem is defined as an area dominated by trees and other woody plants. Forests aren’t only trees, however. Healthy forests have a lot going on in them, and many different species of both animals and plants that call them home. There are many different types of forests in the world, ranging from tropical rain forests to the dense sub-polar taiga. To truly understand a forest ecosystem, it is easiest to break it down into the five layers that most healthy forests have. Animals that live in a forest move between the layers to feed and hunt.
but most are shrubs, which are woody plants that have more than one stem. Shrubs can get as tall as 15 to 20 feet, but most top out at around 10, and many are shorter than that. Lichens can grow on tree bark between the shrub layer and the understory, and animal life also thrives. The shrub layer is home to many different kinds of insects and spiders, birds, snakes and lizards.
The Canopy The canopy section of a forest is the very top, and consists of the tallest, oldest trees, which can reach heights of 150 to 200 feet. This layer is the harshest of the five layers because it is exposed to everything that nature throws its way. It gets whipped by the wind, exposed to the sun without shade, receives the brunt of downpours, and is the most likely to be struck by lightning. Animal that live in this layer are those adapted to living tough, and include birds, tree frogs, snakes, lizards and hard-bodied insects.
The Herbaceous Layer and Forest Floor
The herbaceous layer is the layer just above the forest floor, and consists of tree seedlings and non-woody plants. These include mosses and a variety of flowers. The forest floor consists of the leaf litter-- a thick bed of leaves dropped from the trees-- and the soil. The Understory These layers are the backbone of the forest. WithThe understory is the layer just below the canopy, and out good soil, trees have nothing to root into, and consists of those trees that are still growing but hav- in the north, the leaf litter acts as insulation for tree en’t reached full height. This environment is protected roots and soil-based animals. Hornets, butterflies, from the elements somewhat by the canopy layer, and is birds, worms, slugs, snails, centipedes, millipedes, therefore less harsh. Trees in the understory are grow- spiders, snakes live at this level, as well as billions ing slower because they have less light, and tend to be of microbes, all of which contribute to soil health a bit thinner in foliage. There is a greater variety of animals that live in this layer, including birds, butterflies and caterpillars, frogs and tree mammals like squirrels and raccoons, in the north, and monkeys, in the tropics. The Shrub Layer
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The shrub layer is the next level down, and is dominated by woody plants that never grow very tall. Some of these are very young trees or trees that remain shorter,
TEXT: HTTP://ENCYCLOPEDIA2.THEFREEDICTIONARY.COM/FOREST+ECOSYSTEM PHOTO: NATALIE TRÜEB (P. 8), PICABAY (P. 9)
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LEAVES CHANGE COLOR IN AUTUMN? WHY DO
If you are lucky, you live in one of those parts of the world where Nature has one last fling before settling down into winter’s sleep. In those lucky places, as days shorten and temperatures become crisp, the quiet green palette of summer foliage is transformed into the vivid autumn palette of reds, oranges, golds, and browns before the leaves fall off the trees. On special years, the colors are truly breathtaking. How does autumn color happen? For years, scientists have worked to understand the changes that happen to trees and shrubs in the autumn. Although we don’t know all the details, we do know enough to explain the basics and help you to enjoy more fully Nature’s multicolored autumn farewell. Three factors influence autumn leaf color-leaf pigments, length of night, and weather, but not quite in the way we think. The timing of color change and leaf fall are primarily regulated by the calendar, that is, the increasing length of night. None of the other environmental influences-temperature, rainfall, food supply, and so on-are as unvarying as the steadily increasing length of night during autumn. As days grow shorter, and nights grow longer and cooler, biochemical processes in the leaf begin to paint the landscape with Nature’s autumn palette. Where do autumn colors come from? A color palette needs pigments, and there are three types that are involved in autumn color. Chlorophyll, which gives leaves their basic green color. It is necessary for photosynthesis, the chemical reaction that enables plants to use sunlight to manufacture sugars for their food. Trees in the temperate zones store these sugars for their winter dormant period. Carotenoids, which produce yellow, orange, and brown colors in such things as corn, carrots, and daffodils, as well
as rutabagas, buttercups, and bananas. Anthocyanins, which give color to such familiar things as cranberries, red apples, concord grapes, blueberries, cherries, strawberries, and plums. They are water soluble and appear in the watery liquid of leaf cells. Both chlorophyll and carotenoids are present in the chloroplasts of leaf cells throughout the growing season. Most anthocyanins are produced in the autumn, in response to bright light and excess plant sugars within leaf cells. During the growing season, chlorophyll is continually being produced and broken down and leaves appear green. As night length increases in the autumn, chlorophyll production slows down and then stops and eventually all the chlorophyll is destroyed. The carotenoids and anthocyanins that are present in the leaf are then unmasked and show their colors. Certain colors are characteristic of particular species. Oaks turn red, brown, or russet; hickories, golden bronze; aspen and yellow-poplar, golden yellow; dogwood, purplish red; beech, light tan; and sourwood and black tupelo, crimson. Maples differ species by species-red maple turns brilliant scarlet; sugar maple, orange-red; and black maple, glowing yellow. Striped maple becomes almost colorless. Leaves of some species such as the elms simply shrivel up and fall, exhibiting little color other than drab brown. The timing of the color change also varies by species. Sourwood in southern forests can become vividly colorful in late summer while all other species are still vigorously green. Oaks put on their colors long after other species have already shed their leaves. These differences in timing among species seem to be genetically inherited, for a particular species at the same latitude will show the same coloration in the cool temperatures of high mountain elevations at about the same time as it does in warmer lowlands. How does weather affect autumn color? The amount and brilliance of the colors that develop in any particular autumn season are related to weather > 11
conditions that occur before and during the time the chlorophyll in the leaves is dwindling. Temperature and moisture are the main influences. A succession of warm, sunny days and cool, crisp but not freezing nights seems to bring about the most spectacular color displays. During these days, lots of sugars are produced in the leaf but the cool nights and the gradual closing of veins going into the leaf prevent these sugars from moving out. These conditions-lots of sugar and lots of light-spur production of the brilliant anthocyanin pigments, which tint reds, purples, and crimson. Because carotenoids are always present in leaves, the yellow and gold colors remain fairly constant from year to year. The amount of moisture in the soil also affects autumn colors. Like the weather, soil moisture varies greatly from year to year. The countless combinations of these two highly variable factors assure that no two autumns can be exactly alike. A late spring, or a severe summer drought, can delay the onset of fall color by a few weeks. A warm period during fall will also lower the intensity of autumn colors. A warm wet spring, favorable summer weather, and warm sunny fall days with cool nights should produce the most brilliant autumn colors. What triggers leaf fall? In early autumn, in response to the shortening days and declining intensity of sunlight, leaves begin the processes leading up to their fall. The veins that carry fluids into and out of the leaf gradually close off as a layer of cells forms at the base of each leaf. These clogged veins trap sugars in the leaf and promote production of anthocyanins. Once this separation layer is complete and the connecting tissues are sealed off, the leaf is ready to fall. What does all this do for the tree? Winter is a certainty that all vegetation in the temperate zones must face each year. Perennial plants, including trees, must have some sort of protection to survive freezing temperatures and other harsh wintertime influences. Stems, twigs, and buds are equipped to survive extreme cold so that they can reawaken when spring heralds 12
the start of another growing season. Tender leaf tissues, however, would freeze in winter, so plants must either toughen up and protect their leaves or dispose of them. The evergreens-pines, spruces, cedars, firs, and so on-are able to survive winter because they have toughened up. Their needle-like or scale-like foliage is covered with a heavy wax coating and the fluid inside their cells contains substances that resist freezing. Thus the foliage of evergreens can safely withstand all but the severest winter conditions, such as those in the Arctic. Evergreen needles survive for some years but eventually fall because of old age. The leaves of broadleaved plants, on the other hand, are tender and vulnerable to damage. These leaves are typically broad and thin and are not protected by any thick coverings. The fluid in cells of these leaves is usually a thin, watery sap that freezes readily. This means that the cells could not survive winter where temperatures fall below freezing. Tissues unable to overwinter must be sealed off and shed to ensure the plant’s continued survival. Thus leaf fall precedes each winter in the temperate zones. What happens to all those fallen leaves? Needles and leaves that fall are not wasted. They decompose and restock the soil with nutrients and make up part of the spongy humus layer of the forest floor that absorbs and holds rainfall. Fallen leaves also become food for numerous soil organisms vital to the forest ecosystem. It is quite easy to see the benefit to the tree of its annual leaf fall, but the advantage to the entire forest is more subtle. It could well be that the forest could no more survive without its annual replenishment from leaves than the individual tree could survive without shedding these leaves. The many beautiful interrelationships in the forest community leave us with myriad fascinating puzzles still to solve.
TEXT: HTTP://WWW.NA.FS.FED.US/FHP/PUBS/LEAVES/LEAVES.SHTM PHOTO: NATALIE TRĂœEB (P. 10), PICABAY (P. 12)
SUCCESS WITH
ROSES
The most popular flower is also one of the very oldest flowers in cultivation. There are over 2,000 different rose varieties to lure us with their history and fragrance. This is because the rose, like the orchid, cross-breeds readily—a trait exploited first by nature, and then by horticulturalists. Today, we can choose from old-fashioned favorites, as well as modern varieties that are the result of intensive breeding programs throughout the world. The rose is a flower with a rich past, and an exciting future.
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inding your way through the rose’s large extended family can be both confusing and intimidating. Damasks, musks, gallicas, centifolias, hybrid perpetuals, Bourbons, hybrid teas, ramblers and climbers—even the most distinguished rosarians have a difficult time determining which rose is which. Tracing the history of a particular rose can be a fascinating adventure, but it is hardly an exact science. The old roses have crossbred so many times, and so many varieties have been lost to time, that it is often impossible to uncover the exact parentage. If you are one of the many who become possessed by roses, you may eventually find it important to know the difference between a gallica and a Bourbon. But until that point, our advice is not to worry about it. The important thing is to select a rose that you find beautiful, and that suits your garden. Roses are usually grouped into one of two broad categories: old roses and modern roses. Old roses are those varieties discovered or developed prior to the introduction of the hybrid tea rose in 1867. But like everything else in the world of roses, when
it comes to determining how a particular rose should be classified, it’s not always crystal clear. It is generally agreed that “old roses” include species or wild roses; albas; Bourbons; moss roses; China roses; Noisettes; Portland roses; rugosa roses; Scotch roses; centifolias; hybrid pimpinellifolias; damasks; gallicas; hybrid perpetuals; tea roses; and musk roses. Those classified as modern rose varieties are hybrid teas; floribundas; polyanthas; grandifloras; miniatures and dwarfs; modern shrub and landscape roses; climbers and ramblers; and rugosa hybrids. Why choose an old-fashioned rose over a modern hybrid? Many of the old rose varieties offer more fragrance, more complex and interesting blooms, greater disease resistance, easier care and more interesting forms. But modern roses can offer all-season blooms, and a much broader range of colors and flower forms. Some are also far more cold- hardy and disease-resistant than any of the old-fashioned varieties.
much less grow. When choosing a rose for your garden, there are five considerations that should make the selection process easier. 1. Growth habit
Though roses are usually planted for their flowers, it is important to know what the plant as well as the flowers will look like, in order to determine where it will fit in your garden. Hybrid teas and floribundas usually grow no more than 2 to 3 feet high. Their form is coarse, and hardly very appealing, but they do have the ability to produce an abundance of flowers throughout the growing season. The hybrid tea has large, single blooms on long, stiff stems, whereas the floribunda has slightly smaller clusters of blooms on stems that are not as stiff. Miniature roses have tiny flowers, and may be only 10 to 36 inches tall. Dwarf roses grow up to 2 feet high, and their flowers are produced in clusters. Shrub roses, including both the old-fashioned and the modern types, and How to select a rose ground-cover or landscape roses, are generally large and leafy. There are thousands of beautiful Climbers and ramblers grow from roses, far more than any of us will 7 feet to 30 feet in length, and most ever have the opportunity to see, of them benefit from some sup> 13
port. Standards are roses that are trained into a tree-like form with a single stem and a rounded bush or weeping display of flowers on top. 2. Hardiness Northern gardeners need to know exactly what zone a rose is hardy to. Southern gardeners must also watch to see what zones are recommended for each particular variety, as some roses perform very poorly in hot and/or humid weather. Read the catalogs carefully and, if possible, purchase your roses from a local or regional grower. They will be able to advise you from experience about how a particular variety will perform in your area.
teas are notoriously disease-prone, and seem to lure every insect pest from miles around. They can be difficult to grow without an arsenal of chemical dusts and sprays. 5. Stem length This may seem like an odd consideration, but it’s important if you are growing roses for cutting. The traditional florist rose is a hybrid tea, and it is the only type of rose that flowers on a long, stiff stem. All other roses have shorter, weaker stems, which gives them a
3. Bloom time Many roses, especially the old-fashioned varieties, have just one flush of blooms per year. Will you be satisfied with a cloud of heavenly pink blossoms for three weeks in June, or do you need your rose to bloom all summer long? This consideration may narrow your choices very quickly. 4. Disease-resistance Selecting a disease-resistant rose is the single most effective way to avoid problems and the need for chemicals. You might start by considering some of the old rose varieties, many of which have natural disease resistance. You can also look to many of the modern roses, which are now being bred for improved disease resistance. Hybrid 14
more casual—some believe more beautiful—presence in a vase. Caring for your roses Roses are rather particular, and you should be aware of the grow-
ing conditions and care necessary to keep them happy. Site: For most abundant blooms and greatest vigor, roses need to receive 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight each day. In hot climates, they will appreciate receiving protection from the most intense afternoon sun. In cool climates, a fence or a warm south- or west-facing wall can add enough extra warmth to boost flower production and reduce winter damage. Soils: Roses need good drainage and a rich, moisture-retentive soil, with a pH between 6.5 and 7. If your soil is heavy and wet, you may want to consider planting your roses in raised beds. Compost should be added to create a loose texture with a high organic content. Water: Roses require more water than most other landscape plantings, especially during the first year as the plant is getting its roots established. The best way to water your roses is with drip irrigation. It concentrates the water at the root zone where it is needed, and keeps the foliage dry to minimize disease problems. A good, thick layer of organic mulch will help conserve moisture, reduce weeds, and encourage healthy root growth. As the mulch breaks down, it will also add organic matter to the soil. Fertilizer: Roses are heavy feeders, and will benefit from a steady supply of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. You can provide these nutrients with either liquid or granular fertilizers,
at a ratio of approximately 5-8-5. In most cases, regular applications of compost, rotted manure, fish emulsion and seaweed extracts will provide roses with all the nutrients they need. These organic amendments also help to moderate pH imbalances and stimulate beneficial soil life. Other organic amendments favored by rose growers include greensand, black rock phosphate and alfalfa meal. Pruning: Dead, weak and sickly stems can lead to disease problems. Pruning these away will increase air circulation to the center of the plant and minimize fungus problems. Pruning also stimulates new growth, and allows you to shape the plant in a pleasing manner. Spent flowers should be removed during the growing season to encourage reblooming. Use a scissor-action pruner for the cleanest cuts. Winter protection: If possible, select rose varieties that are hardy for your growing zone; ones that can survive the winter with no special protection. In cold climates, hybrid teas and floribundas, as well as some of the smaller shrub roses, will benefit from a little extra i nsu l at i on .
Once you have had several weeks of below-freezing temperatures, cover the base of the rose with 12 inches of soil or mulch, and then cover the canes with straw, leaves, pine boughs or even foam insulation. Climbing roses can be wrapped right on their supports, or you can lay them on the ground and cover the canes with straw or brush. In severely cold climates, hybrid teas are sometimes partially dug up, laid down onto the soil, and the entire plant is then covered with more soil or mulch. Pests and diseases: Prevention is the best way to avoid pest and disease problems. Start with disease-resistant varieties, keep plants in healthy condition (well fertilized and well watered), maintain good air circulation, keep foliage dry, and remove any diseased foliage or spent flowers. For persistent pest problems, you can use botanical insecticides such as sabadilla, neem, rotenone, and pyrethrins. These are broad-spectrum controls, meaning they kill many types of insects, both good and bad. Though they
are organic, these controls are potent and should be used sparingly. For caterpillars and Japanese beetle grubs, use Grub Guard or Milky Spore (Bacillus popilliae). Insecticidal soaps, such as Rose Rx are effective against scale, spidermites and aphids.
TEXT: HTTP://WWW.GARDENERS.COM/HOWTO/GROWING-ROSES/5074.HTML PHOTO: NATALIE TRĂœEB (P. 14), PICABAY (P.13, 15)
10 FAMILY FUN ACTIVITIES YOU CAN DO AT A PARK Are you tired of seeing your kids glued to the sofa playing video games when it’s a beautiful day? Well, it’s time to get them up and outside for some real-life fun! Even if your budget’s tight, you can find ample adventures at a park. Whether your local park is a small neighborhood green space or an expansive national park, take advantage of your nearest recreational area and plan an outing for the whole family, no matter how young or old. Use these suggestions to get your crew off the couch and out into the sun for some healthy, free (or cheap) warm weather fun. 1. Play with the dog
2. Host a family reunion
Parks are one of the few places where your canine family member can enjoy an outing, too. Some parks are pet friendly, and some have gone straight to the dogs. Dog parks are enclosed parks with features designed especially for your pet. They usually include grassy stretches for ball and Frisbee play, and there may be agility course elements, like ramps, jumps and tunnels. There are also low, dog-friendly water fountains and shady areas for cooling off after some serious play. Some dog parks even have splash pools, lounging benches, and separate areas for large and small dogs.
With budgets tight these days, a park is a wonderful venue for a family reunion. You may be able to reserve or rent a covered pavilion, although some parks have a first come, first served policy. After the grub and socializing, there’s plenty of space for kids to run around and lots of play options to ward off boredom while the old folks sit around and reminisce. Does your family need more than one day together? Many state and national parks have lodges and camping accommodations, so you can extend your family reunion beyond a single afternoon.
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itations or special needs. Check the Web site of the park you have in mind to learn about don’t-miss A scavenger hunt is a great way to explore numerous scenery, special features, the length and challenge areas of a park in a relatively short time. Make a list of rating of trails, and whether or not pets are welcome. things you would find at your particular park, and divide your group into teams. Give each team a list and 7. Learn about nature a bag to collect items. Include supplies like a camera if challengers need to prove they climbed to the top if a Are you interested in some close encounters of the nathill, or paper and a pencil to take a rubbing if they have ural kind? State and national parks teem with wildlife, to find a particular statue. Finally, determine a place to both the stationary and the ambulatory kinds. You can meet after gathering all the items on the list. The first expose your children to the wonder of nature and learn team back with everything on the list wins. Prizes can about native plant and animal species that inhabit varbe a free pass on cleaning rooms or the winner’s pick ious environments. Take along your camera to capfor dessert. Conversely, the losing team might have ture the weird and wonderful things you find. Later, to do something for the winners, like cook dinner. you can make a scrapbook detailing your discoveries. 3. Scavenger Hunt
4. Set up a challenge
8. Play ball
Parks offer big, wide-open spaces perfect for staging a race, obstacle course or other family challenge. Break up into teams for a relay race. Designate age groups for foot or bicycle races. Bring a few simple props and set up your own family field day. Here are some examples: Hula-hoops or jump ropes for an endurance challenge Eggs and spoons for a balance-testing relay challenge Soccer ball for a dribbling challenge Plastic cups and water for a balancing-on-the-head race challenge Rope for tug-of-war and three-legged race For high-adventure challenges, look for parks that offer canopy tours, rock climbing or zip-lines.
Many community parks have tennis courts and fields for soccer and baseball. They offer leagues for organized sports, but you don’t have to be on a team to enjoy playing around with a ball. An open field is a great place to practice kicking around the soccer ball or have a game of catch. Show up with a ball and you just might find enough willing players for a pick-up game.
5. Special events Parks cater to families and often host fairs, carnivals and special events to get your attention. The activities depend a lot on the type of park. Look for carnivals with games, races and inflatable play objects at community parks. Turn to state and national parks for events that introduce you and your kids to outdoor and high-adventure sports like orienteering, archery, fishing and canoeing. Holidays are big events for parks, too. They offer activities like Easter egg hunts, winter wonderlands, parades and firework displays. 6. Take a hike Local, state and national parks offer many different opportunities for hiking. Some are short, easy treks to breathtaking scenery; others are major climbs that test your endurance. Preparing for a big hike can be a fun and healthy family activity, too. Some parks even have trails for those with physical lim-
9. Have a picnic Can you ever be too young or too old for a picnic? Grab a basket and blanket for a lazy, languid feast on a grassy park lawn. Or load some hearty fare into a backpack and hike to the perfect spot near a waterfall or to a peak with an endless view. If you’re heading to a park with a lake or pond, take along some extra bread to feed the ducks. 10. Classic playground activities If you’re packing little ones, hit your neighborhood or community parks for fun and exercise that goes beyond the swing-set. Your kids will have a blast scrambling up rope nets and navigating obstacles in fortresslike play ports. See-saws, giant slides, monkey bars, pint-sized zip-lines and mini rock-climbing walls are just some of the wonders you’ll find at park playgrounds. And, of course, there will be swings! So pack some sunscreen, snacks and juice boxes and head to the park for some full-body fun. Your kids will be building strength, agility and confidence, and laughing all the way. TEXT: HTTP://ADVENTURE.HOWSTUFFWORKS.COM/10-FAMILY-PARK-ACTIVITIES.HTM PHOTO: NATALIE TRÜEB
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