Articles
3
Easy Steps to Becoming a BackCountry Hero
Chuck Fitzgerald C2005. All Rights Reserved.
Have you thought about helping to protect wildlife or wild
flowers, but you don't know how? Or maybe you want to
protect your favorite camping site or that cool little stream
nobody else knows about? Making a difference in the
backcountry is easy for anyone - you don't have to be Ted
Turner. Not every one can fly
to the Amazon delta to move bird nests or trek off to the
Aleutian Islands to remove crude oil from a pristine beach.
But everyone can help right where they are. Follow these 3
easy steps, and you'll be on your way to giving back to your
backcountry and you'll have a ball doing it.
First step is to take inventory of your backcountry interests.
What is your favorite outdoor activity? Is it fishing,
rock climbing, bird watching, hiking, camping, canoeing,
hunting, skiing, classifying plants, kayaking, horseback riding
or something else? Take a few minutes to really understand
what excites you about being off the pavement and in the
backcountry. Once you have pictured yourself engaging in
your favorite outdoor
recreation, you're ready for step two.
The second step towards becoming a backcountry hero is to do a
little research. If you love to hike, perhaps
spending some time researching the American Hiking Society and
some of its projects make sense to you. If bird watching
is your thing, BirdLife International may be worth looking into.
The easiest way for many to do research is on the internet.
But don't forget about book stores, libraries or sport specific
organizations like the ones just mentioned. A more
comprehensive list can be found on-line in our Education Center
at www.backcountrytoys.com.
As you do your research, keep your eyes open for projects in
your area. You'll be amazed at how you will be able to
make a difference right where you live. Only one step to
go.
Up to this point you've identified a subject, you've research it
and now it's time to get moving and this is most critical step.
I doesn't take much time or effort to take action. In
fact, there are organizations all around the world looking for
you to volunteer and they all have active lists of projects that
could use your talents. If you have a hiking vacation
planned, why not incorporate a small project into your trip?
Maybe a letter needs to be written to your legislator or perhaps
you could pick up trash along a local lake shore. There's
lots to be done.
Spending time in the backcountry doing the things you love to do
is made sweeter when you help to protect, conserve and enhance
your activity. We have great trail systems and great river
and lake systems and all because of people like us, who take the
time to improve those things we love so much. With just a
little
action, you will be an outdoor hero. Use this information
and you'll Get It Right The First Time.
Get Outdoors!
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About the author: Chuck Fitzgerald is the President of
Arizona
based BackCountry Toys, an online store providing backcountry
specialty gear and educational information for outdoor
enthusiasts. Visit www.BackCountryToys.com to receive the
free
e-newsletter "FreshAir" or call (800) 316-9055.
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