Woods Exploration

The other evening my family went on a walk in the woods. We left to the sound of gunshots in our neighborhood and were truly thankful for the gentle old growth woods. My husband commented,"we are lucky in Washington, there are not to many things that are dangerous for the boys out here." He was comparing the NW forest to the poison oak we had seen all over the forest in California by San Rafael and the deer ticks that are rampant many parts of the year in Minnesota. Here we are able to basically give the boys free rein.

On this evening two and a half year old Theo was our guide. He chose the trails to follow. Mom, then grandma, then Sam and papa ran after him. Mom wanted to make sure that he did not get to any forks in the path and disappear.

This running, a bit hard on elders' knees, is a wonderfully gleeful activity for the boys. The boys run down the path: Exuding joyfulness.

They listen to the sound of a wooden bridge under their feet. Then run back and forth across it because there is a slight dip at either end of the bridge where they build momentum. Mama chases Sam back and forth. Back and forth. Papa and Theo have gone ahead. Theo's turn to ride in the backpack carrier and he is enjoying the view and bounce from up high.

Then there is another stop. Theo has found some sticks. Sam has found a place he calls his house. He gathers sticks too. There is drumming by both boys on a downed tree. Quite a while later we continue on the path, touching thimbleberry leaves and tapping sticks.

Going is slow. Sam stops to "read" the sign posts and comprehend the map.

Theo and papa have made it out of the forest and found a tree whose leaves have already fallen. They are throwing the leaves about- smiles big. It has been a grand hike.

First Camping Trip

Now that we have returned from our first camping trip I wonder why we waited so long to go to the mountains with the boys. Of course, I think we must have done just right since it went so well. First, before I lose a couple of poignant memories:


Sam walking along a ridge trail next to Thunder Creek. He pauses and just looks out down a steep embankment filled with trees and plant life. I can only describe the look as one of simple wonder.

Theo in mamma's arms comes out of the forest into a clearing where you can see stars. He looks up and says,"go up bring back star."


Our camping trip was to the Colonial Creek Campground in the North Cascades and it was inspired because a dear friend Hilary was getting married at the North Cascades Environmental Learning Center. As soon as we entered the North Cascades their was one last call of "tree tunnel" and then- we were in a tree tunnel more or less for the next 3 days. The boys loved the sticks, the bumpy paths, the moss, lichen, rocks, fire, and dirt. They played until they were so dirty that they looked tan. Their clothes became brown. Their smiles almost a constant until we would have to leave and then came the tantrums. "Water" "Stay by the water" said Sam between gasps as we pulled away from the Colonial Creek Campground.

Our campsite itself was not on the water. In fact it was a walk-in site in the woods which meant that although it was some work lugging gear into the woods once we were out there we did not have to see cars, trucks, campers, and motorcycles. Of course, as Theo would say, we could "hear them, not see them."

The site turned out perfect as the whole family was able to get plenty of exercise going to and from the car and the water pump that was halfway down the trail. We also were able to have a sense of being out purely in nature. All around us were a myriad of natural colors, greens and browns. We could see old growth Cedars and Douglas fir trees from all parts of our campsite. An activity I made up for the boys was finding pieces of bark on the ground and then having the boys find where it came from. Most of it came from a large downed cedar tree which was in various states of decomposition and was probably creating a large part of our actual site. Oh the wonderful feeling of being in an old forest: the land is a soft bed of living, and decomposing matter.

The boys were able to explore the various types of trees from the soft, silky, stringy bark of cedars to the deep furrowed hard bark of fir. Beneath these wondrous trees the boys played. Momma guided them in a first activity of using sticks and cones to make a bus. Later they needed no guidance. Pieces of wood became trains, logs were the parking place that the wood needed to pull into. Sounds of "whrrrr" were made as the boys drove materials too and fro. Sometimes they just scooped dirt and moved it their imagination purely their own. Hours could pass. I realize in retrospect that I probably did not need to bring any toys at all, although the the one toy I brought -Soft Smash paddles and balls -were a hit and were explored as baseball bats, scoop toys, fire fans, and just hit, run, chase toys. The first day it seemed like they gave the boys a sense of security as they started to explore- the soft padded paddles and balls were brought everywhere- only by day two and three were they mostly forgotten.

The trip could not have occurred without a willing, loving, and competent partner and poppa. Shawn was amazing. He hauled as I herded the boys along the trail to our campsite. He cooked as I changed diapers, hugged boys, and made sure the boys ate and did not bother the Coleman camp stove. Oatmeal, eggs, coffee and quesadillas for breakfast. Snacks during the day were hummus,peanut butter, cream cheese, whole wheat bread, crackers, apples, grapes. Dinners were spaghetti, macoroni and tuna, and a lovely dinner at the Institute. We had just the right amount of food: no hunger and no huge cravings although chocolate for desert would be fine with mom. Wine and beer for the adults. A half gallon of milk for the kiddos. One medium sized cooler. In terms of pans we had a mess kit of stainless steel pots kept from being too sticky with loads of butter.


...and now my boys are awake-- so I will continue when I get another quiet hour.

Smelling the flowers

My young boys' delight in the scents of plant life. The only trouble is that sometimes this can lead to mischief that is not so pleasant. For example yesterday Theo decided that not only was going to smell a leaf but he was going to ball it up real tight and stick it in his nose. Hours later we still could not get it out despite sneezes and a bit of a runny nose. A call to the nurse line for tips, instead led us to urgent care. The nurse said that you should let a doctor take out objects from your child's nose unless you can get them to blow it out.

My son is still sleeping, but I heard him talk in his sleep. "No take it out!" He is still trying to process this unfortunate event. I hope his love of smelling plants is not diminished. However, we will work on smelling technique.

The Outdoor Child Should be an ‘Indicator Species’ for London - Children & Nature Network (C&NN)

The Outdoor Child Should be an ‘Indicator Species’ for London - Children & Nature Network (C&NN)

This is article shows how you can measure the health of your community by paying attention to how many children under age 12 are playing outdoors in your community. It offers suggestions on how to monitor this and recommendations on who to work with in changing the current status quo. I don't know how much research like this is going on in my city, however I don't think enough. My own informal research says that I don't see kids just playing out of doors. I don't see that many kids biking past my house going to play with friends. I would love to see planning in my community use kids as a measure of success!

"Outside! Outside!"

"Outside! Go outside!" said Theo after he had his snack.

The words rang joyfully in grandpa's ears. He commented that going outside is "what we used to always do as kids but it seems these days more and more children would rather watch tv or play with toys inside."

I feel blessed that something our modern family has done has meant that the boys love to be outside. In fact most days I would guess that we spend more time outside than inside. Perhaps it is the blessing of having a small house. Or perhaps it is because we try to greet each day looking out the window or standing on the porch watching the sun come up and each night we scan the sky for the state of the moon.


In searching for how other families have raised kids who love the outdoors I found the Happytrails Family Nature Club that meets in various parks in the Twin Cities. The author has tips on how to connect kids with nature. I think he has done a great job of listing ways to encourage nature loving kids. One of the phrases that he uses and that I have often felt is that by spending time together out of doors and especially in natural settings you are "making memories."

Tree tunnel

I might not have thought to climb under this tree and play, but it was perfect for my little boys. Later I learned that the kids who wait for the bus near this tree play under it a lot too. Thank goodness that this tree is in a yard with friendly folks who don't use dangerous chemicals on their lawn and are open to allowing childhood to be truly a time of wonder.
I am thankful to all those people who let me climb and walk their walls, sneak through their yards in a shortcut to school, and jump on and off their snowbanks when I was a child.

Obama administration makes an MOU on environmental Justice.

I write about my boys' life experiences in an urban center and I try to focus on how we experience nature. My writing is part of my belief that we need to look out for the whole community. My reflections allow me to think of both privileges and disadvantages my children have living in the Southeast part of the city of Seattle. Environmental justice are powerful words that have always been a part of my ecological consciousness. I hope that the fact that the EPA and White house have decided to write a MOU with communities burdened with pollution means that something will be done. I promise to try to help hold them accountable by paying attention, speaking up, and pointing out areas of concern. I hope that all parents and environmentalists will do the same!

CONTACT:
Stacy Kika
Kika.stacy@epa.gov
202-564-0906
202-564-4355

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 4, 2011


Obama Administration Advances Efforts to Protect Health of U.S. Communities Overburdened by Pollution

Federal Agencies Sign Environmental Justice Memorandum of Understanding

WASHINGTON – Building on its commitment to ensuring strong protection from environmental and health hazards for all Americans, the Obama Administration today announced Federal agencies have agreed to develop environmental justice strategies to protect the health of people living in communities overburdened by pollution and provide the public with annual progress reports on their efforts. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lisa P. Jackson, White House Council on Environmental Quality Chair Nancy Sutley and U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder were joined by agency heads across the Administration in signing the “Memorandum of Understanding on Environmental Justice and Executive Order 12898” (EJ MOU).

"All too often, low-income, minority and Native Americans live in the shadows of our society's worst pollution, facing disproportionate health impacts and greater obstacles to economic growth in communities that can’t attract businesses and new jobs. Expanding the conversation on environmentalism and working for environmental justice are some of my top priorities for the work of the EPA, and we're glad to have President Obama's leadership and the help of our federal partners in this important effort," said EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson. "Every agency has a unique and important role to play in ensuring that all communities receive the health and environmental protections they deserve. Our broad collaboration will mean real progress for overburdened communities."

“All Americans deserve the opportunity to enjoy the health and economic benefits of a clean environment. Too many low-income and minority communities shoulder an unacceptable burden of pollution, affecting the health of American families and the economic potential of American communities, and the country as a whole,” said Sutley. "The Memorandum of Understanding helps integrate environmental justice into the missions of Federal agencies, demonstrating our commitment to ensuring America truly is a country of equal opportunity for all."

"Today's memorandum will reinforce the federal government’s commitment to the guiding principles of environmental justice - that the wealth, poverty, or race of any people should not determine the quality and health of the environment in which they live their lives,” said Holder. “These are important steps to ensure that environmental justice is an integral part of our work.”

"Today, we understand better than ever that our health is not just determined by what happens in the doctor’s office.  It is affected by where we live, work, go to school and play, by what we eat and drink, and by the air we breathe,” said U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Katherine Sebelius. “HHS is committed to working with our partners across government to build healthy communities, especially in those areas burdened by environmental hazards."

“Every community deserves strong federal protection against pollution and other environmental hazards,” said U.S. Department of the Interior Secretary Ken Salazar. “The Department of the Interior is committed to ensuring environmental justice for all populations in the United States – including American Indians, Alaska Natives and rural communities who may be among the most vulnerable to health risks.”

“This agreement is an important step in furthering the Administration’s commitment to ensuring healthy communities for all Americans – free from environmental and health hazards,” said U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Steven Chu. “The Department of Energy is aggressively investing in clean energy in order to improve the environment, strengthen the economy, save families money, and create the clean technology jobs of the future here at home.”

"No one should have to work in unhealthy or hazardous conditions," said U.S. Department of Labor Secretary Hilda L. Solis. "The Department of Labor is pleased to be part of this important initiative to ensure that vulnerable workers have access to information and can voice their concerns about their working environment."

"Like so many things, environmental justice starts in the home, where families spend most of their time," said U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan.  "Whether it's removing potentially dangerous lead-based paint from homes or helping to redevelop polluted brownfields, HUD is a critical part of the President's plan to protect the health of people living in environmentally challenged parts of our country."

Environmental justice means that all communities overburdened by pollution – particularly minority, low income and tribal communities – deserve the same degree of protection from environmental and health hazards, equal access to the Federal decision-making process, and a healthy environment in which to live, learn, and work.

The signing of the EJ MOU is the latest in a series of steps the Obama Administration has taken to elevate the environmental justice conversation and address the inequities that may be present in some communities. Last September, Jackson and Sutley reconvened the Interagency Working Group on Environmental Justice (EJ IWG) for the first time in more than a decade. In December, at the White House Environmental Justice Forum, Cabinet Secretaries and other senior Administration officials met with more than 100 environmental justice leaders from across the country to engage advocates on issues that are affecting their communities, including  reducing air pollution, addressing health disparities, and capitalizing on emerging clean energy job opportunities. The EJ MOU reflects the dialogue, concerns and commitments made at the forum and other public events. Since her appointment, Jackson has also joined congressional leaders across the country to tour impacted communities and hear residents’ concerns.

The MOU advances agency responsibilities outlined in the 1994 Executive Order 12898, “Federal Actions to Address Environmental Justice in Minority Populations and Low-Income Populations.” The Executive Order directs each of the named Federal agencies to make environmental justice part of its mission and to work with the other agencies on environmental justice issues as members of the EJ IWG. The EJ MOU broadens the reach of the EJ IWG to include participant agencies not originally named in Executive Order 12898 and adopts an EJ IWG charter, which provides the workgroup with more structure and direction. It also formalizes the environmental justice commitments that agencies have made over the past year, providing a roadmap for agencies to better coordinate their efforts. Specific areas of focus include considering the environmental justice impacts of climate adaptation and commercial transportation, and strengthening environmental justice efforts under the National Environmental Policy Act and Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.  The MOU also outlines processes and procedures to help overburdened communities more efficiently and effectively engage agencies as they make decisions.

The following agencies signed the EJ MOU: Environmental Protection Agency; White House Council on Environmental Quality; Department of Health and Human Services; Department of Justice; Department of Agriculture; Department of Commerce; Department of Defense; Department of Education; Department of Energy; Department of Homeland Security; Department of Housing and Urban Development; Department of Interior; Department of Labor; Department of Transportation; Department of Veterans Affairs; General Services Administration; and Small Business Administration.

Read the EJ MOU: http://epa.gov/environmentaljustice/resources/publications/interagency/ej-mou-2011-08.pdf

More information on the EJ IWG: http://www.epa.gov/compliance/ej/interagency/index.html


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