Conservation is an important topic and creating and maintaining parks is one effective way to preserve our natural resources. Because of Smucker’s interest in all things natural and good, they have once again partnered with the National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA)! To celebrate the partnership and encourage fans to get out and visit our National Parks and local parks, Smucker’s has asked me share ways in which everyone can contribute to making a natural difference. So here is how you can get involved and improve your local park whether it is a city park, state park, or national park.
The J.M. Smucker Company has compensated me to share its “Make A Natural Difference” Campaign.
Smucker’s Is Making A Natural Difference with the National Parks Conservation Association
There are over 400 National Parks- treasures for us all! The animals that inhabit our national parks are a major attraction to parks such as Yellowstone, Yosemite, and Everglades. Our national parks provide some of the last remaining habitats for countless endangered and threatened species. Here are some tips for protecting and enhancing your local park whether it is a State Park or one of America’s National Parks.
Ways To Get Involved At Your Local Park
1. Pack it in, pack it out.
Don’t litter and pick up litter when you see it. Make sure you leave no trace that you have been there.
2. Don’t remove flora or fauna from the park.
Don’t pick flowers- that is how plants replicate and there is often a delicate balance in nature. Remember- do not take tadpoles, birds’ eggs, rocks, or anything else—except your trash—home with you from your National Park trips!
3. Don’t feed fauna.
No, the raccoons don’t need your junk food.
4. Remember to be responsible in preventing fires.
Don’t discard cigarette butts on the ground and if you have used a fire in an approved area, make sure it is completely out.
5. Volunteer.
Check with your park office to find out ways you can volunteer. Trails often need work or they may have some restoration projects you could get involved in. Visit nps.gov for even more ways to get involved.
Follow these simple outdoor guidelines for good, natural fun!
You also can do a few things in your own backyard that will help provide wildlife habitat for animals to use in addition to the parks.
Tips To Provide Wildlife Habitat:
- Plant a Native Garden in your own backyard to help stem the loss of native biodiversity, provide shelter and food for native wildlife, and reduce pollution.
- Build a Bird House or Bat House.
- Buy a birdfeeder and a birdbath. Be sure to keep them filled—birds come to rely on a food or water source.
My Local Park Visit- Warner Park Nature Center
We live near Warner Park which is a huge blessing. We love to go over there as a family for hike, to visit the Nature Center, to explore the creeks, and to bird watch! Sometimes I hit the rails solo to get some good exercise and other times we all go as a family and leisurely explore their organic garden or have a picnic. There is always something to do and see- even mud to be played it. They also have some great festivals to attend.
Natural Peanut Butter Snack To Bring With You
Peanut butter snacks are a great source of protein to provide the energy you need when you hit the trails. There are lots of peanut butter snack recipes at Smucker’s and I will share with you a simple family favorite at our house. We love to fill celery with peanut butter and chomp it down. To fancy it up, some people put raisins but I like to put bitter sweet chocolate chips as the “ants” on the “logs”.
How do you help make a #NaturalDifference at your local or national parks?
Related Posts:
How To Go Camping- Your Complete Family Camping Trip Planner