Idaho
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What is Take It Outside?Idaho's Be Outside Movement Find out about Idaho's Be Outside movement, the latest non-profit organization made up of federal, state, and non-profit organizations dedicated to getting kids off the couch and outside. Visit the Be Outside website to learn more! Let's Move Outside - America's Move to Raise a Healthier Generation of Kids The Bureau of Land Management's Take It Outside Initiative was prompted by a growing national concern that children are spending significantly less time outdoors that previous generations; becoming more disconnected from nature; and increasingly showing symptons of an epidemic in childhood obesity. These issues were articulated in Richard Louv's 2005 book "Last Child in the Woods." In response to this problem, BLM and many other Federal agencies are taking on the challenge of attemping to reconnect the Nation's youth and families with the many benefits of spending time outdoors. Idaho's Be Outdside initiative has partnered with KIVI Channel 6 news about getting outside. Visit their website to see interesting ideas and fun activities you can do to get outside and enjoy nature! Click here to see the site.
BLM Takes It Outside!BLM's Take It Outside Initiative focuses on promoting and expanding existing BLM programs that engage children and families in outdoor activitites. Try some of these family outings.
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Second Clearwater River Cleanup Day Yields a Bounty of Trash
Over 2,680 pounds of metal and almost three tons of trash were collected over three days of river cleanup along the Clearwater River. The river is one of the more popular rivers sought by sport fisherman in northern Idaho due to its abundant steelhead fisheries. The first clean-up day was held in early September, but volunteers quickly realized that additional work days would be required to really make a difference. Two additional work days were held on September 22 and 23. Volunteers from a variety of groups, including a local 4-H club, County Commissioners, Bonneville Power Administration, Idaho Fish & Game and BLM spent two additional days along sections of the river collecting scrap metal and garbage. The events were sponsored by the Clearwater Management Council, a multi-county and agency board that works to improve the quality of the river for the people that use it. The group has already planned next an event for next year on August 11, 2012.
Shoshone Field Office Takes Part in Educational Event
More than 350 fifth graders from Gooding, Shoshone, Wendell, Camas and Bliss school districts participated in the annual Little City of Rocks outdoor education event on September 29. Shoshone Field Office Cultural Resource Specialist Lisa Cresswell provided an introduction to Southern Idaho archaeology and Outdoor Recreation Planner David Freiberg taught the kids about Snake River Plain volcanic geology. Other stations included water quality (Soil Conservation District), fish and wildlife (IDFG), and paleontology (NPS). This program is presented annually by the Gooding and Lincoln County Soil Conservation Districts.
Students enjoy the Little City of Rocks
Take it Outside Program Features Owls of the Northwest
The crowd starting gathering at the Coeur d’Alene BLM pavilion along the shores of the Spokane River well before the Owl Hoot program began at 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 25. The evening event was organized and funded through a Take it Outside grant prepared by Coeur d’Alene BLM Environmental Education Specialist Beth Paragamian. Paragamian was assisted by volunteers from the Coeur d’Alene Audubon Society, from students who help at the Wildlife Education Center and guests from the Spokane Valley Outdoor Learning Center.
 Students learn about owls at the Owl Hoot. |
Paragamian linked the evening presentation to the Great Fires of 1910, describing how the fires burned through the areas in Montana and Idaho, displacing owls and other wildlife until the areas began to revegetate. Several live and taxidermied owls were presented, including a pygmy owl, Western screech owl, Long-eared owl, two Short-eared owls, a barn owl, Barred owl and the largest, a Great Horned owl. Special features of the owls, such as sight, sound and color patterns were described, along with their habitat needs. The crowd also learned what injuries the owls sustained that caused them to need rehabilitation at the wildlife centers, e.g., gunshot wounds, car accidents and fence entanglements. An “Owls of Idaho” poster was provided to each attendee, many of whom stayed after the program to view and photograph the owls. Chocolate owl “pellets” were provided as an evening snack, with many in the crowd staying to enjoy the social event of making s’mores.
Burley Field Office Hosts Bicentennial Celebration of Astorian Fur Trappers
BLM teaches students about the Astorian Fur Trappers
"Fur trappers" talk about historical fur trapping.
“Exploring Wild North Idaho” Day Camp Engages Youth in the Outdoors
Coeur d’Alene BLM Wildlife Education Specialist Beth Paragamian orchestrated and conducted the “Idaho Discoveries” Day Camp near Coeur d’Alene, ID as part of the BLM’s Take It Outside program. The day camp, one in a series of activities funded through a youth initiative, included 15 youth between the ages of 8 and 12. Daily explorations in different types of habitat allowed the youth to investigate the occupants within the area including birds, fish, butterflies, insects, reptiles and amphibians. A volunteer artist provided pointers on drawing wildlife while the attendees completed journal entries; sketching wildlife and writing notes about their discoveries. Funding for the program provided supplies and transportation along with tote bags and journal/sketch book for attendees to keep. Paragamian, who has conducted thousands of educational and outreach programs, said it was a wonderful experience for all who participated and illustrates, “how nature and wildlife make connections with people.” She was moved by their excitement and eagerness to learn about wildlife and different habitats and how appreciative they were. Paragamian, who has already received several thank you letters from attendees’ parents, summed up the week-long camp by stating, “I also had the best time of my life!”
Kids learn about habitats and wildlife at the "Idaho Discoveries" Day Camp.
Twin Falls Elementary Students Tour Tee Maze Cave North of Shoshone
The students inside Tee Maze Cave
Students pose for a picture before entering the cave
Twin Falls Elementary Students Enjoy Guided Visit to Black Magic Canyon
BLM-ID Twin Falls Elementary School fifth graders visited the uniquely sculpted lava rock of Black Magic Canyon in April. As part of BLM's Take it Outside Initiative, BLM staff and geologists took a group of 22 kids and chaperones on a self-discovery tour through the spectacular canyon.
Want to find out about Environmental Education events in South-Central Idaho? Call the BLM Twin Falls District Office, 208-736-2350
Students enjoy Black Magic Canyon
Students cheer after seeing the canyon
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BLM Idaho Environmental Education
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Heritage Education
Take it Outside Idaho
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East Idaho Fire Education
South Central Idaho Fire Education
West Idaho Fire Education
North Idaho Fire Education
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Fire Up for Summer student
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Golden Cheeked Warbler, one of
the many birds that can be seen
on the Idaho Birding Trail.
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Free fishing day is another reason to enjoy the outdoors!
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