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Spring/Summer 2013 Newsletter

11 Month position from September 1, 2013-July 31, 2014 serving as an Americorps Service Member with GRP and Muddy Sneakers.

Green River Preserve: member will collect data for a water quality monitoring program, further develop the sustainable agriculture farm-to-table project, and educate people in the surrounding area about Green River Preserve and its mission through hikes, outreach activities, and teaching opportunities.

Muddy Sneakers: member will increase awareness and support of Muddy Sneakers by assisting in the establishment of a membership base and identifying and reaching out to potential community partners, through direct outreach, social media, presentations, and events.

To apply please visit:
http://www.carolinamountain.org/projectconserve/2013-2014_service_descriptions.

Camp Muddy Sneakers is a co-ed day camp focused on inspiring curiosity, connecting children with nature, staying active, and cultivating a sense of stewardship. Campers will learn about the ecosystems and natural history of this region while exploring Pisgah National Forest and DuPont State Recreational Forest. Two rotating curriculums (Forest Explorer and Trail Blazer) provide a different experience for those campers wanting to join us for more than one week.

Each session will maintain a small group setting, camp curriculum will vary by week and drop off locations will be available in Pisgah Forest, Mills River and Hendersonville, NC. One-week sessions begin June 3rd and run through August 2nd for rising 4th through rising 7th grade students. To register, please visit www.campmuddysneakers.org or call Camp Co-Director Lindsay Green: (828) 862-5560.

Camp Muddy Sneakers is a collaboration between Muddy Sneakers and the Cradle of Forestry in America Interpretive Association.

The intent of the Summit was to provide a forum for participating schools to meet and exchange ideas as well as share challenges while highlighting each individual schools’ commitment to connecting elementary school children to the science curriculum as seen first hand in the natural world. Emphasis was placed on the importance of promoting curiosity outside the classroom, enhancing the children’s academic achievement and test scores and recognizing that the Muddy Sneakers experience was effecting participating students on a number of levels and across a suite of academic disciplines.

Read the full official press release

We encourage all of our current sponsors and anyone else who is interested in becoming a sponsor to join us at Holmes Educational Forest in Henderson County for some fresh air and learning!

Have you been thinking about becoming a Community Sponsor? Now’s the prefect time! Sponsors are invited to participate in periodic regional hikes/mini-expeditions, led by Muddy Sneakers staff naturalists. Spring, Summer and Fall hikes have been been announced! We hope to see you for some exploring!

Upcoming Hikes

• Saturday April 13, 2013:
  ‘Spring Awakening’ – Holmes Educational Forest (Henderson County)
• Saturday June 15, 2013:
  ‘Energy In The Forest’ – DuPont State Recreational Forest (Transylvania/Henderson County)
• Saturday July 13, 2013:
  ‘Weather In The Mountains’ – Bent Creek Experimental Forest (Buncombe County)
• Saturday October 12, 2013:
  ‘Autumn Adaptations’ – Pisgah National Forest (Transylvania County)

Please RSVP by the first Friday of the month to lindsay@muddysneakers.org or call the Muddy Sneakers office: 828-862-5560

All hikes are from 9a.m.-12noon

Download a PDF copy of the Article: Page 1, Page 2.

Abby is honored to be a part of Muddy Sneakers because she strongly believes in the connection between education, nature, and outdoor experiences.

While working for Muddy Sneakers, she has been trying to increase awareness and support of the organization by assisting in the establishment of our Community Sponsor membership program and working to plan our first Muddy Sneakers Summit in April.

Cat will be leaving Muddy Sneakers following the Summit to complete the remainder of her AmeriCorps service at Green River Preserve (GRP) summer camp in nearby Cedar Mountain, NC. At GRP, she will have instructional responsibilities while also directing the farm program. After Americorps, Cat plans to thru hike the Appalachian Trail. We wish Cat all the best and we’ll miss her infectious smile!

The visitor center, the first since the state forest opened to visitors in 1999, will be dedicated at a ceremony this summer. Thanks Aleen for your numerous volunteer hours to the forest and dedication to WNC youth.

Aleen Steinberg will be featured as the Person of the Week on the WLOS Channel 13 news 6pm broadcast on Friday, January 11. Go the the WLOS page and click on Aleen Steinberg.

Check out the article about Aleen and read about the new Aleen Steinberg Center at Blue Ridge now.

Thanks to all the crew at Oskar Blues who worked so hard and for so many hours to make the New Year’s Eve Hootenanny a fun experience for everyone! We appreciate their support and those of you that came out and made contributions! Oskar Blues was a sold out venue for New Years Eve. Thanks for you kind support and Happy New Year!