Nature's Bucket List, Part 1

Did you know that over 5% of the land in the United States is preserved and protected from development?  Don’t be the last to see these top ten most visited parks – they’re on this list for good reason!

• Great Smoky Mountains National Park – In the heart of Appalachia on the border of North Carolina and Tennessee, the park boasts 800 miles of hiking trails, countless waterfalls, and a wide variety of recreation opportunities.


• The Grand Canyon – You can see a million photos, but the Arizona canyon will still make your jaw drop when you see it in person.  The Colorado River not only created this natural wonder, it also guarantees an exciting experience with whitewater rafting and hiking opportunities.


• Yosemite National Park – Located in central California, the granite cliffs, giant sequoia trees, and breathtaking scenery make this park a must for adventurous climbers and sightseeing families alike.


• Yellowstone National Park – Home to the geyser called Old Faithful, free-roaming bison, elk, and bears, and a spectacular western landscape, Yellowstone is one of the best-known parks in the country.


• Olympic National Park – Nature abounds on the Washington peninsula; rocky beaches, rainforest valleys, glacier-capped mountains, all within one park.

Source: The Daily Green

Harvest Time!

Fall is finally here, and it’s time to start bringing in the spoils from your vegetable gardens.  But even if you don’t have your own garden, you can celebrate this fall at any one of these local events!

• Pack the Parks – Swan Creek and Wildwood Metroparks, September 19 – www.metroparkstoledo.com


• Woodland Indian Celebration – Buttonwood Park, Perrysburg, September 26-27 – www.woodcountyparksdistrict.org


• Roche de Boeuf Festival – Waterville, September 26 – www.watervillechamber.com


• Fall on the Farm – Bittersweet Farms, Whitehouse, October 10 – www.bittersweetfarms.org


• Fall Family Festival – Toledo Botanical Garden, October 11 – www.toledogarden.org


• Apple Butter Festival – Grand Rapids, October 11 – www.applebutterfest.org

Green Briefs: Backyard Campfires

Avoid burning trash in your backyard fire pit.  Printed paper, cardboard and plastics release clouds of harmful chemicals when burned, turning your cheerful campfire into a toxic incinerator.  Limit your burn pile to leaves, dry weeds, sticks, and other organic material that might not break down in your compost bin.