Download Fostering Environmental Stewardship through Outdoor Recreation

Fostering Environmental Stewardship through Outdoor Recreation
By Lauren Ray
Welcome to earth, where our inquisitive, dissatisfied human minds often wonder,
“What is my purpose? Why am I here, and what am I meant to be doing?” Many of us
find answers in religion. Others find answers in philosophy, philanthropy, science, or
literature. One of our world’s greatest problems, however, is that not enough people take
the time to seek these answers. Too many of us go through our daily routines without
questioning whether we can make a positive change in the world before our time is up.
This selfish mindset can encourage wastefulness and indifference toward the physical
world. Those who have no sense of ownership or connection with the earth will likely
make very little effort to protect its fragility and diversity, which is arguably one of the
primary reasons why environmental issues are so prevalent today.
Global climate change is a well-known and widely accepted phenomenon that is
taking place largely due to humankind’s mistreatment and overuse of the earth’s natural
resources. Climate change is driven by the greenhouse effect, a process by which
atmospheric gases trap reflected heat near the earth’s surface, causing incremental
warming over time. Although this is a natural process, its effects are exacerbated by the
emissions released into the atmosphere by human activities such as deforestation and the
burning of fossil fuels. When massive numbers of trees are cut down in order to sustain
our society’s timber needs or to clear land for agriculture or urban development, all of the
carbon dioxide stored inside of those trees is released into the atmosphere. When we use
electricity in our homes and offices, the power plant supplying that energy burns coal,
which also releases emissions into the atmosphere. When we drive our gasoline-powered
automobiles to work or to school, they, too, release pollutants into the atmosphere. The
trend here is that many of our daily tasks require us to emit greenhouse gases into the air
and, thus, intensify global climate change. Although it is a difficult goal to reach when
considering our consumerist lifestyles, we are capable of making changes to reduce the
collective human footprint on our planet and the environment. We will not make much
progress, though, unless we grow emotionally and psychologically attached to our
planet’s “resources” in their natural state—intact, unaltered, and untouched. A paradigm
shift must take place in order for mankind to recognize a greater value in nature’s
intrinsic properties than in its profitability. This is certainly not to say that we should
stop exploiting earth’s natural resources; that argument would be foolish and impractical,
as our lives depend on nature’s gifts. However, there is room to improve the
sustainability of our resource usage and our overall respect toward the environment
through personal interaction with nature. If more people were exposed to the wonders of
the natural world through outdoor recreation experiences, they could learn to appreciate
the earth’s intrinsic beauty, recognize the significance of their own footprint, and,
potentially, alter their behaviors to create positive change.
For many outdoor enthusiasts, recreation fosters an appreciation for the natural
world through spiritual replenishment. In an anthology entitled The Way of Natural
History, authors from diverse backgrounds discuss the importance of “mindfulness” in
the out-of-doors and its role in facilitating an understanding of the intricate balance of the
earth’s systems. Spending time outdoors—whether meandering along a trail through
hardwood forest, paddling across the crisp cerulean of a glacial lake, fly-fishing in a
winding mountain stream, or listening to the orchestra of songbirds from the comfort of
one’s back patio—has an impressionable effect on the human mind. Robert Aitken, a
contributing author of The Way of Natural History, claims that close attention to nature is
prerequisite to intimacy with nature. When we participate in outdoor recreation, we build
connections with our surroundings—connections that contextualize the human spirit’s
need for nature that remains whole and unbroken by consumerism. A report by Paul
Heintzman entitled, “Spiritual Outcomes of Wilderness Experience,” further defines this
idea and suggests that the spiritual benefits of outdoor recreation could influence public
land management policies in the near future. Also, in concurrence with the
“mindfulness” statement by the authors of The Way of Natural History, Heintzman’s
research shows that individuals who engage in slower-paced, sensory-based recreation
activities (like nature photography, birdwatching, sketching, and foot travel) typically
reap higher degrees of introspection and spirituality than those who partake in highadrenaline, fast-paced activities. If everybody on earth were given the opportunity to
experience the natural world in this way, perhaps we would think twice before engaging
in behaviors that could compromise the sanctity of the wilderness experience. Perhaps,
then, we would make small adjustments to our daily routines that could collectively
reduce our contribution to global climate change.
Outdoor recreation not only rejuvenates our spirits, but it can also be an
instrumental tool for experiential education and independent learning. In Last Child in
the Woods, author Richard Louv emphasizes the learning experiences that inherently
accompany outdoor play, particularly in children and young adults. Louv cites dozens
upon dozens of scientific studies that show that children who frequently engage in free
play in the outdoors are more creative, imaginative, and focused, and they more often
excel in the natural sciences. These children often develop critical thinking skills at a
younger age, and they form a deeply embedded investment toward nature. One may
reminisce upon the sense of wonder that so frequently graced his or her childhood, when
everything seemed new and exciting. Certain experiences may have inspired complete
bewilderment and perplexity. These experiences create the memories that children carry
with them into adulthood. Getting kids outside while they are still young is perhaps one
of the keys to building future generations that care for the environment. Imagine how
many stimulating, thought-provoking processes can be witnessed in just a half acre of
wooded land. Children who have the freedom to explore and observe will often come to
adore nature and, quite likely, grow into environmentally conscious adults because of it.
It is no secret; outdoor enthusiasts are some of the greatest proponents for
conservation projects and environmental initiatives. Right here at home, we have
organizations like the Arkansas Wildlife Federation, the Ozark Highlands Trail
Association, the Buffalo River Foundation, and countless others that are directed by
outdoor enthusiasts in order to promote the protection, preservation, and restoration of
The Natural State’s wild wonders and resources. A major component of these
organizations’ outreach work is to get people outside, immersed in an environment where
they can learn without necessarily realizing it. The Ozark Highlands Trail Association,
for example, organizes trail maintenance and creek cleanup events that bring people to
outside to hike while simultaneously engaging them in conservation activities that will
give those individuals a sense of ownership and responsibility over the trail and its
surrounding ecosystems. This is the beauty of outdoor recreation. We are just having
fun outside, but what we may not recognize is that we are becoming deeply invested in
the conservation of natural resources. Few people who backpack the Ozark Highlands
Trail want to see the national forests get clear-cut. Few paddlers and fishermen who visit
the Buffalo National River want to see an industrial hog farm constructed in the
watershed. We protect what we love, and if playing outside cultivates a passion for
environmental health, then getting people outdoors is essential in responding to global
climate change.
Aldo Leopold’s A Sand County Almanac is a testament to natural history studies
and the role that outdoor experiences can play in promoting environmental awareness and
eco-consciousness. Through his observations and encounters in nature, Leopold made
detailed documentations of seasonal changes, wildlife habits, and ecology. His outdoor
experiences gave him a sharp eye for environmental trends and a sharp wit for
interpreting the signs of nature. His “land ethic” principle was inspired by these
experiences, and it has become widely renowned since the publication of A Sand County
Almanac. The land ethic is the idea that all living and non-living things coexist
harmoniously in an interdependent community, which “changes the role of Homo sapiens
from conqueror of the land-community to plain member and citizen of it. It implies
respect for his fellow-members, and also respect for the community as such." This is one
of the greatest discoveries that can be made through outdoor recreation. When we are
outside, exposed to the elements in a state of total vulnerability, we recognize that we are
only but a tiny fraction of the life on earth. We become cognizant of our human and nonhuman neighbors, helping us to form a more biocentric worldview. Gaining respect for
the rest of the biotic community is instrumental in responding to global climate change.
It is one step to recognize the immediate effects of climate change on the human
population, but it is an entirely different stride when we realize the interconnectedness of
the biotic community and the devastating chain of reactions that could occur throughout
the ecosystem due to our mistakes. If we view the earth as a single organism in a
constant battle to maintain balance, perhaps we will feel more responsible for our actions.
Perhaps we will make change.
Now is the time to wake up; now is the time to act. There is not just one proper
solution to global climate change. We all can make a difference by distinctive means, but
only if we have the courage and initiative to do something about it. Outdoor recreation is
simply a mechanism by which individuals can become enlightened and inspired to
determine their own way of responding to global climate change. Nature is a place we
can go to ask questions and seek answers. So, why are we here? What is our purpose?
There is no way of knowing for sure, but in order to make the most of the time we have
on this planet, we must learn to care for each other. Thomas Lowe Fleischner, editor of
The Way of Natural History, sums up this idea quite nicely when he proclaims, “That
Gautama, the historical Buddha, had his original moment of awakening while seated
under a tree is probably not coincidental.” Let us all find our tree and awaken, for the
future of our earth is at stake.
Works Cited
Fleischner, Thomas L., ed. The Way of Natural History. San Antonio: Trinity University
Press, 2011. Print.
Heintzman, Paul. “Spiritual Outcomes of Wilderness Experience.” Park Science 28.3
(2012): n. pag. Web. 19 April 2013. Leopold, Aldo. A Sand County Almanac. New York: Random House Publishing Group,
1986. Print.
Louv, Richard. Last Child in the Woods. New York: Workman Publishing Company,
2008. Print.