Hiking

Across my years of exploring the majestic outdoors with young children, I’ve experimented with nature journaling.

These lands have been a hot issue in Utah for most of our state’s history.

I've visited Blacksmith Fork Canyon with a thousand or so fifth and sixth graders — a few at a time — for a day with biologists and managers. Each time, we feed wintering elk about 5,000 pounds of hay.

It’s always a good day when you see a Gila Monster in the wild. Monster sightings are not common in the Southwest corner of Utah even though they are quite abundant in this portion of the Mojave Desert.

When we’re out enjoying Utah’s backcountry in wintertime, we should always resist the temptation to have a close encounter of the wild kind.

Mindful birding is a practice that incorporates a heightened awareness and deepens our relationships with birds and our connection to the natural world.

As a wise outdoor educator, Eric Newell, once told me “Never be too busy outdoors to stop and experience something that excites the kids.”

The most important lessons I can give my daughter are not through me, but instead those found best in the wild.

Outdoor programs give purpose to learning—making the state curriculum a means rather than an end.

In other news, Utah Republicans want to amend the state constitution to reverse a court ruling last month on ballot initiatives and alleged gerrymandering in the state.