You may have childhood memories of exploring woods and creeks, building tree houses or sleeping outside under the stars – experiences enriched with smells, tastes, sounds and textures. Our disconnect from nature was dubbed nature deficit disorder by Last Child in the Woods author Richard Louv, founder of the New Nature Movement. Many global efforts are underway to reconnect children and adults with nature.  This meeting will connect you to resources that pull adventurers into the natural world.

Dark Skies Awareness

Learn to use the free International Dark Skies Association (IDA) GLOBE at Night program as a reminder to simply look up at the night sky! In most cities, inefficient public lighting wastes energy and hides the stars with light pollution. IDA mounts global efforts to preserve our view of the Milky Way, and fights impacts of light pollution on human and wildlife communities.  Support IDA by uploading your nighttime observations.

Geocaching

You’ll receive simple instructions from geocache.com to facilitate nature based play stops on road trips, and a guide to earthcache.org to prepare for the Dallas Sierra Club’s summer trip to the San Juan Mountains of Colorado. The Perot Museum supported Nature Rocks website can help you plan your next DFW adventure.

Presenter Heather Foote is founder of Prairie Keepers.org. A professional science educator, she designs stealth learning games and hikes. She is a board member of the Friends of Tandy Hills Natural Area and the Keller Farmers Market, and a founding member of the Fort Worth Native Prairies Association of Texas. Heather is Speakers Bureau Chair for Children in Nature Network - North Texas.

Free. Info: KirkMiller@DallasSierraClub.org.

Directions: http://www.dallassierraclub.org/page.htm?generalmeeting