Adventures in Southeast Texas Vol.3 No. 1b Spring 2010
Explore the Neches River with us !
Teacher Professional Development
ELRC Partners
Beaumont: Texas with a little something extra
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A young magician started to work on a cruise ship with his pet parrot. The parrot would always steal his act by saying things like, “He has a card up his sleeve,” or “He has a dove in his pocket.”
The warm spring weather brought this young alligator out to explore the bayou. The leaf on his nose did not seem to bother him at all.
Cardinal
Continues
3rd Saturday Programs with Free Sponsored Trips
Cardinal Neches River Adventures opened its series of 3rd Saturday programs with a special program provided by Texas State Park Ranger Amanda Adair.
Ranger Adair is from Village Creek State Park where she supervises Texas Parks and Wildlife (TPWD) educational programs. Amanda is also a Texas Master Naturalist who works with the Southeast Texas Chapter.
Wells Fargo Bank was the sponsor for this river cruise on Saturday, April 17, at 10:00 AM. The cruise departed from Riverfront Park in downtown Beaumont and traveled up the Neches River to 10 Mile Bayou. Passengers had the opportunity to see this wilderness area much as it was in the 1800's when settlers came to Texas.
The water temperatures are quickly rising with the arrival of spring. Alligator, fish, and other animal activity is increasing in the backwaters. Also, spring migrations of birds are coming through Southeast Texas and are frequently seen along the river.
You should call 409-880-8907 to reserve you place on the next Third Saturdays trip.
Check the Cardinal Calendar for the next Third Saturday trip:
http://nechesriveradventures.
org/third.htm
Do
you have a group planning a visit to the Big Thicket? Ranger Leslie Dubey
says that you should call the Visitors Center for information regarding
hiking or paddling trails.
As schedules permit, the Big Thicket may
be able to schedule a Ranger to accompany your group. Call:
409-951-6700
Special
Trips
For Your Group
Cardinal River Adventures has a limited number of special programs at reduced cost to qualifying student and senior groups. If you are a teacher or work with a seniors group, call for information-409-880-8907.
Visit Our Web Site:
http://nechesriveradventures.
com
This year the Children and Nature Network (C&NN) is encouraging nature appreciation groups throughout the United States to reach beyond their usual constituencies, especially to undeserved neighborhoods – to start family nature clubs, and to honor the natural teachers who continue to help young people learn outdoors.
The purpose of Children & Nature Awareness programs are to celebrate the benefits of experiences in the natural world to children, and to all of us.
Richard Louv, C&NN chairman and author of Last Child in the Woods says “We’re encouraged by the growing number of families that are creating family nature clubs, and the young people – who we call Natural Leaders– who are emerging as leaders in the children and nature movement,” he added.
You will find more information regarding this organization and movement at:
http://www.childrenand
nature.org/
The No Child Left Inside® Coalition is composed of environmental, educational, and public health organizations, businesses, civic organizations and other public enterprises, all dedicated to ensuring a comprehensive education for all.
No Child Left Behind legislative testing requirements have had a negative effect on environmental education in the curriculum. This group needs your help. Go to this Web site to learn more:
http://www.cbf.org/
Page.aspx?pid=687
...One day the cruise ship sank and the magician and the parrot found themselves alone on a lifeboat. For a couple of days, they just sat there looking at each other. Finally, the parrot broke the silence and asked, “Okay, I give up. What did you do with the ship?”
Interaction with Nature Improves Your Health
Elderly adults tend to live longer if their homes are near a park or other green space, regardless of their social or economic status. College students do better on cognitive tests when their dorm windows view natural settings. Children with ADHD have fewer symptoms after outdoor activities in lush environments. Residents of public housing complexes report better family interactions when they live near trees. (Science Daily, 2009).
The above quotation from Science Daily makes a strong but true claim regarding the benefits of nature to our health. Our connection and experience with nature is important to our physical and mental well-being.
It is difficult to separate the evolution of human beings from their natural surroundings. Humankind’s early foundations as hunter/gatherer gave us an inseparable connection with our environment. Even the advent of the industrial era allowed our link with a rural agricultural subsistence to remain.
Today, we are losing this link--society is moving us away from our connection with nature. The traditions of the American farmer are even fading from memory. The technology-driven urban lifestyle dominating the lives of the majority of Americans is removing nature from our daily routines.
This is second article in a series of articles by Richard Thomas Bothel on the importance
of nature in our lives.
http://outdoorstudies.com
Here's a
great gift! :
Texas Parks & Wildlife Magazine
New Public Trip Schedule for 2010 : Saturdays 10:00 AM, Sundays 2:00 PMand Tuesdays 6:00 PM
Trips leave from Riverfront Park in Downtown Beaumont Call 409-880-8907 for Advanced Tickets and Information