Outdoor Alliance’s Post

"Restoring Historic Trails and Landmarks" Many historic trails, cabins, and landmarks built or preserved by the original Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in the 1930s are now in disrepair due to neglect, weathering, or increased visitation. A modern CCC could continue the legacy of preservation by restoring these iconic sites, protecting their cultural and historical significance while making them safe and accessible for future generations. "Preserving history, one trail at a time." Key Elements of the Initiative Restoring CCC-Era Landmarks: Focus on maintaining and reviving structures built by the original CCC, such as stone bridges, ranger cabins, fire towers, and picnic shelters. These landmarks hold historical and architectural significance and symbolize the dedication of past conservation efforts. Trail Preservation and Expansion: Many historic trails, such as the Appalachian Trail, the Pacific Crest Trail, and regional pathways, face erosion, overgrowth, and damage from heavy use. CCC crews could rebuild trails, create safer access points, and add interpretive signs explaining their history. Enhancing Visitor Accessibility: Modern CCC teams could retrofit trails and landmarks with features like ramps, improved signage, and safer pathways to ensure accessibility for all visitors, including those with disabilities. Local Community Engagement: Encourage collaboration with local historians, Indigenous communities, and conservation groups to ensure preservation efforts respect the cultural and historical narratives tied to these sites. Eco-Friendly Restoration Techniques: Modern restoration efforts could use sustainable materials and techniques to reduce environmental impact while maintaining the integrity of historic sites. From the hands of the 1930s CCC to today’s need for care—let’s honor the past while building the future. 🛠️ #RestoreHistory #ModernCCC" "These landmarks tell our nation’s story, but they need care to survive. A modern CCC could bring them back to life. 🛤️ #PreserveHistory" The CCC’s Legacy in Numbers "The CCC built 125,000 miles of roads and trails, 3,000 fire towers, and countless landmarks. Let’s revive their legacy for the next century. These landmarks are part of the American story, built during the Great Depression to give people hope and purpose. Preserving them is a tribute to past generations. Call to Action "Our trails and landmarks are more than pathways—they’re history written in stone. A modern CCC could restore these sites, ensuring their beauty and significance endure for future generations. Let’s protect the legacy of the Great Outdoors. 🌲 Join the movement to preserve history, one trail at a time. #ModernCCC #RestoreHistory"

"Terra Ceia in Manatee County : Privacy, Nature & Great Real Estate",#TerraCeiaFlorida #WendyLynnSarasota #ParrishFloridaNeighborhoods #ParrishFloridaRealEstateAgent #ParrishFloridaRealtor #ParrishFloridaRealEstate,

Project Portland Potpourri Portland Oregon has 154 developed parks, with 12,591 acres of public parkland and open space, including 6 public gardens, 25 community gardens, 35 community parks, 5 golf courses, 47 habitat parks, 98 neighborhood parks, 12 regional parks, 12 urban parks, and thousands of acres of urban forest (according to portland.gov). Wikipedia states “There are at least 279 parks and natural areas in Portland”. Portland has “The smallest park in the World”, do you know which one, have you seen it recently? Portland also has one of the largest urban forest reserves with 80 miles of hiking trails, how many miles did you walk? Spring invites everyone outside for fresh air, first blooms, awakening of the nature… Which park, or garden, or green space is your favourite? Please submit a paragraph or two, perhaps with a photo or video to ProjectPortlandPotpourri@ostiweb.org  They will be posted on OSTI website and Facebook page.

Center for American Progress has released a new column: Disappearing Parks: How Project 2025 Would Decrease Protections for Nature. This piece overviews the threat that Project 2025 poses for Biden-Harris national monument designations and the nature-deprived communities who rely on these protections. The Biden-Harris administration has used its executive powers under the Antiquities Act to establish, expand, or restore eight landscape-level national monuments. These new protections—totaling more than 3.7 million acres and including places such as Castner Range National Monument in Texas and Avi Kwa Ame National Monument in Nevada—have benefited communities across the American West. They have played a particular role in serving nature-deprived communities—those experiencing higher-than-average nature loss—and solving for the disproportionate impact that nature deprivation has on communities of color. A new analysis by Conservation Science Partners and the Center for American Progress finds that over 88% of communities near the new Biden-Harris monuments are nature deprived and one-third of these communities have higher proportions of people of color relative to their state. Despite the fact that these new monuments have helped to close the nature gap for nearby communities, Project 2025 seeks to roll-back or even expunge protections for Biden-Harris national monuments. The extent of conservation rollbacks that a conservative administration could undertake could be unimaginably destructive. To read more about the threat that Project 2025 poses for national monuments: https://lnkd.in/ecC_apHy 

Good News, Elizabeth City! 🙌🏼 Recently, the city of Elizabeth City was awarded a $378,000 grant from CAMA for the Camden Causeway Park revitalization. The grant is one of 14, totaling $2.8 million, that is being awarded to coastal communities across North Carolina to improve access to waterways. For two years, this park has been closed and fallen into disrepair, leaving much of the northern region of the Pasquotank harder to reach. This park never had a kayak launch, and only a skeleton remains of its 890-ft wooden boardwalk. As part of the revitalization effort, a kayak launch will be created, along with ADA accessibility—another thing this park previously lacked. It goes without saying, but I’m stoked about the launches being built! Seems like all the hard work is paying off. I’d like to thank @greensavesgreennc , an environmental organization here in the city, for spreading awareness about the need for new launch sites, in addition to the revitalization of Causeway Park! Huge shout-out to the city for making it happen as well. Construction is expected to begin in early 2025! 🔧🚧 ————————— #camdencausewaypark #elizabethcitync #kayaklaunch #waterwayaccess #ncwaterways #northcarolinaparks #revitalization #pasquotankriver #waterconservation #outdooradventures #greensavesgreen #waterwayrevitalization #coastalnorthcarolina #adventureawaits #wildlifeconservation #kayakingadventures #communityprojects #ADAaccessibility #kayaklife #sustainableliving #coastalliving #cityplanning #conservationefforts #outdoorrecreation #nikonphotographers #nikond850 #d850photographer #barlowstudio #natureenthusiast #keepgettingoutthere

Belle Isle Vision Plan | Marvel and James River Park System https://lnkd.in/g6SAgy9E The Belle Isle Vision Plan focuses on revealing and connecting four anchor locations on Belle Isle — a staple of outdoor recreation in Richmond, Virginia. Located along the Fall Line in the James River, Belle Isle’s story is inextricably linked to its hydrology. From fish farming to power sourcing, the island has always found a way to utilize its strategic setting for public welfare or the demands of private enterprises. However, its industrial structures remain, and today it is a place for people. The goal is to improve island-wide accessibility and visitor amenities, conserve native species and habitats, and rehabilitate defunct structures to be safer and more inviting. The Hydroplant, the Rolling Mill Garden, the Quarry, and the Meadows are the four spaces of focus for this project and the Vision Plan highlights their potential to enhance the island in a variety of critical ways. #landscapearchitecture #richmond #virginia #USA #2024WLAAwards

The once-familiar chirp of house sparrows (Passer domesticus) that filled our urban neighborhoods is gradually fading into silence. These small yet significant birds, which have shared our living spaces for centuries, are facing unprecedented challenges in the modern world. #BirdConservation #EcoFriendlyPractices #EnvironmentalAwareness #HabitatRestoration #HouseSparrows #SparrowConservation #UrbanBiodiversity #WorldSparrowDay

It is incomprehensible and extremely unfortunate that developments such as these which violate the Hillside Policy, the Nature Ordinance, contradict the draft Zoning Plans and ruin our Natural Heritage are still allowed and even welcomed and celebrated on Sint Maarten. This particular development has completely destroyed unique hilltop vegetation, devasted the habitat of numerous species of animals and bulldozed and excavated natural rock formations. In addition the aesthetic value of the hilltop, the scenery, the recreational value is forever gone. Yet many of our decision-makers look at this, in-fact many citizens look at this and call it progress! Why have successive Ministers of the Ministry of VROMI of Government of Sint Maarten continued to allow this to happen? Why and how is it that the interests of developers are always put before the interests of residents? #nature #environment #sintmaarten #saintmartin #sdgs2030 #Sxm #heritage #landscape #zoning #rightsofnature #biodiversity

🏡 Did you know your home could be in a conservation area and you might not even know it? Let's dive into why this matters for you! Conservation areas are designated zones that protect the special architectural and historic interest of a place. If your property is in one, there might be restrictions on what you can do with it, but it also means your home is part of preserving our shared heritage. 🌿 Why should you care? - Legal implications: Being aware helps you avoid hefty fines or legal issues if you unintentionally make unauthorised changes. - Development: It influences what renovations or developments you can undertake. - Environment: You're playing a part in preserving the environment and maintaining the character of the community. Wondering if your property is in a conservation area? It's easier than you think! - Check with your local planning authority. - Look up online resources that map conservation areas. - Get advice from planning professionals or heritage organisations. Becoming aware of your property's status isn't just about avoiding legal headaches; it's about being a steward of history and nature. Have you checked your property's status yet? Share your thoughts or experiences below! 📢 We are here to help and advise. #ConservationArea  #CheckYourStatus

Next week, Virginia lawmakers are poised to consider Virginia’s Great Outdoors Act (HB2059), sponsored by Delegate Paul Krizek (D-Fairfax). If passed into law, this legislation would: -Protect vulnerable natural lands and waters, working farms and forests, drinking water resources, and historic and cultural sites. -Improve public access to the outdoors by fixing existing and building new infrastructure and expanding public lands. -Invest in a thriving outdoor recreation sector by developing new trails, parks, and other public lands at local and state levels.