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Venice Beach, Florida, in Sarasota County is known as the “Shark Tooth Capital of the World” and for good reason. When my family went there in September (and again in November—we really like that beach!), it took only minutes to begin finding shark teeth in the sand. Sarasota sits on a deep fossil layer, and …

The past couple of years have become a more stress-filled year than any of us ever anticipated. But while we can’t always control the stressors in our lives, there are things we can do to find some stress-relief — including heading outside! In her book The Nature Fix: Why Nature Makes Us Happier, Healthier, and …

We’ve always known it. Study after study has shown that the wisdom of previous generations was right: getting outdoors — into the sun, breathing fresh air — works wonders in every way. It boosts our immune systems, inspires activity and exercise, brings calm, and lowers stress. But sometimes in the busyness of life, a whole …

Looking for a delicious, healthy dessert or snack for the holidays that is easy to make and sure to please? This homemade, warm applesauce is the perfect choice. You can make this in an instant pot or on the stove top. It’s quick and delicious, sugar free, and full of flavor. After a particularly large …

The air outside has well and truly become cold, but there’s still plenty of fun to be had outside! Below are 10 ideas to make your winter more fun. Make sure you bundle up warm before you step outside. 1. Go for a hike and look up. With the bare trees, you can see many …

Outdoorosity is excited to announce our 12-Days of Christmas giveaway! (Giveaway open to residents of the U.S. only.)  We want to connect with you through our new weekly e-newsletter! As a thank you for signing up by December 23, you’ll automatically be entered in the giveaway. Then, each day from December 25 through January 6 …

Tucked away in the middle of the Great Salt Lake in Utah is a delightful, unique state park called Antelope Island. A long, narrow island, Antelope Island is easily accessible by car, via a bridge from the mainland. It’s a pretty drive over the lake, and you can often see shore birds and boats. Antelope …

Depending on where you live, you probably see fewer birds during the winter months. Many species migrate to more temperate areas, some traveling hundreds of miles. But there are those birds that stay behind, even in the coldest weather. Cardinals are some of the easiest to spot with their bright red feathers. Others you might …

Near the south entrance of Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming is the lovely Jenny Lake. Though much smaller than Jackson Lake to the north, Jenny Lake is still almost 1200 acres across and is a focal point of the park. Its waters are crystal clear and cold—it is a glacial lake—and its bottom, at …

I jolted awake as the pinging of my morning alarm radiated through the room and snapped me out of my dreams. The clock indicated 5:15 a.m. in florescent blue lights.  This sight doesn’t usually spark within me a rush of excitement, but today was not just any ordinary day— Today was a Sendday Wednesday. It …

Even if the temperature outside doesn’t have that autumn chill, there are lots of ways to celebrate the season. Here are 15 ideas to get you started on this first day of fall!  Visit a state or national park.  Find your way out of a corn maze.  Go for a hike.  Look for squirrel nests and other signs of …

The Harvest Moon is the name given to the full moon that occurs closest to the September equinox. This year, September 20th is the date! So step outside after sunset tonight to see the full Harvest Moon!       

This week, try making your own homemade kite. Then, on the next windy day, head outside to fly it! Here are some great sites for lesson plans on how to construct the kites:  “The Diamond Kite – Lesson Plan.” National Museum of the US Air Force  “Building a Geometric Kite – Group Kite-Building Lesson.”  John …

What kind of natural objects catch your? Chances are, you’ve come across some interesting finds.  This weekend, use those objects to start your own nature collection. They might include a bird’s nest, a sea shell, part of an old hive, a turtle shell, feathers, or a piece or quartz. Use nature guides and reference books …

Like last year, the start of school this year is anything but routine. But no matter what the school days look like, you can still bring the outdoors into your new school schedule. Here are a few ideas:  1. Choose a place outside to sit, such as under a tree or on a log. Then, …

Succulents are some of the most popular plants due to their ability to survive without much care. If starting a garden seems like a daunting task, growing succulents from cuttings can be easy and fun. And the best part: they begin to grow at soon as two weeks! Succulents retain water in their leaves, roots, …

This week, go on an insect hunt. This is a great activity to do with children.  What to Bring Pencil and notebook or a cell phone/camera  Magnifying glass (optional)  Where to Look Insects can be easily be found almost anywhere. Look under leaves, rocks, bark, and mulch. Look on trees and in bushes. You may …

This week, go bird watching!  What birds live in your neighborhood? Head outside and find out! Take along the following items:  Binoculars (optional) Pen or pencil Paper Field guide or Smartphone Find a place to sit where you have a good view of trees or bushes. Use the binoculars if your sitting far away. When …

This weekend, head outside with your camera and capture the beauty of the outdoors. For tips on taking landscape photos, check out these articles:  “Landscape Photography Tips”, National Geographic “15 Helpful Landscape Photography Tips for Beginners”, ImprovePhotography.com “Seven Tips for Shooting Nature Photos with Your Smartphone Camera”, Popular Science      Photo by Erean 

For kids in grades K – 12 (international entries too)  From the contest website:  The Art of Conservation® Songbird Art Contest™ is a new art competition hosted by Wildlife Forever, focused on sharing the wonder and species diversity of North American songbirds. Building off the successful Wildlife Forever Fish Art Contest® and inspired by the legacy of artist and conservationist …