June is Great Outdoors Month! This month reminds us to explore our nation’s abundant wildlife refuges, parks, and natural beauty. While the celebratory month is relatively new – the US Senate officially designated June as Great Outdoors Month in 2019 – there are infinite ways to celebrate and appreciate all the natural beauty our country has to offer.
Even though the month is nearly over now, there is still plenty of time to celebrate! And, just because June is the official celebratory month doesn’t mean we can’t get outside all year long (weather permitting 😉).
5 Ways to Celebrate Great Outdoors Month:
- Visit a State or National Park. With 423 national park sites in the United States, there are plenty of options to choose from! Consider planning a family trip or vacation to one of the national or state parks. If you are fortunate enough to live nearby, make a day trip out of it! Get outside, breathe some fresh air, and enjoy the beauty the parks have to offer.
- Learn an Outdoor Hobby, like Birdwatching or Gardening. A great way to spend more time outside is through hobbies. There are many hobbies that take place outside, such as gardening or bird watching. Find something that interests or challenges you and give it a try! You’ll be amazed at how great it feels to spend some time in nature.
- Visit a Trail. Most of us live near a trail of some sort – whether it’s a natural or paved trail, see what is close and easily accessible. Take your dog, family, or meet a friend and go for a walk. Challenge yourself to visit a new trail or walking path each week to explore a variety of scenery.
- Take Your Meal Outside. An easy way to get outside is by simply taking your meal outdoors. Whether you are enjoying your cup of coffee in the morning or taking a lunch break, if the weather is nice, try relocating outdoors. A little breath of fresh air can help give you the energy you need to get through your day!
- Take a Trip to a Garden. There are over 1,000 Botanical Gardens in the United States. If you have never been to one, June is the perfect month to give it a try. Filled with a variety of plants, a Botanical Garden is a great place to spend an afternoon.