The Stuff of Childhood Dreams

When I was a kid, I did not walk to school in the snow uphill both ways. However, I did like dinosaurs and subscribe to Ranger Rick, the magazine from the National Wildlife Federation (NWF).

That's why a new development in the Ranger Rick offerings made me think what a wonderful opportunity children today have.

Earlier this month, the NWF announced that it would begin publishing a Ranger Rick dedicated to just dinosaurs. My childhood self jumped for joy at this news because I knew many kids would love the magazine as much as I would have if it had been around when I was growing up.

Ranger Rick Dinosaurs will join Ranger Rick, Ranger Rick Jr., Ranger Rick Cub, and three Zoobooks in the NWF's list of magazines for kids. I think it's a great addition to a lineup that is already very strong, and I hope a lot of children have a chance to read it.

For this magazine, I would definitely walk in the snow uphill both ways.

Found and Never Lost

I made something once that doesn't exist anymore but that I'll never be without.

When I was a kid, in one of my issues of either Your Big Backyard or Ranger Rick, I found an activity for making a miniature naturescape by gluing things I discovered outside to a sheet of paper. Although the creation went into the garbage long ago, I can still see and feel the way the pine cones stuck to the paper, their scales fanning out like flowers.

The National Wildlife Federation, which publishes Ranger Rick, has now made its suggestions for children's nature activities available online. On its family fun page, the organization shares crafts (they use pine cones to make snowy owls), recipes, songs, contests, and outdoor activities. Near the bottom of the page, visitors can search the offerings by age, season, type, animal, and subject.

Resources like this make finding ways to create your own memorable experiences with the environment easy, so don't forget about it.

The Ranger's New House

Just like any other raccoon, the National Wildlife Federation's Ranger Rick is adaptable.

I grew up reading printed issues Ranger Rick magazine. They were a special part of my childhood and helped shape my connection to the environment. I remember loading my bookshelf with the old issues.

In the digital age, publishing has changed a lot, and the wily ranger is adjusting to those changes. The magazine has a digital version available for tablets through Barnes & Noble. And now, a new, interactive version is available for the iPad.

The interaction and reading takes place in Ranger Rick's tree house. Children can play games, earn badges, and learn about wildlife.

It's great to see one of my favorite raccoons settling in nicely to the 21st century. I know he'll be around to touch the lives of many more children.

Appy Holidays

Just in time for the holidays, the National Wildlife Federation has released three new apps for kids. They are all nature-related of course, and they feature Ranger Rick and his friends.

Two of the apps are for either the iPad, iPhone, or iPod Touch. The third app is for just the iPad. One of them is for ages 2-5 while the other two are for ages 7 and up.

For more information, click here.

Take a Hike

In September, residents of the areas in and around Seattle; Atlanta; Chicago; Washington, DC; Denver; and Bernardsville, New Jersey, will have opportunities to take their children out for a hike.

The National Wildlife Federation's Hike & Seek event, which is part of the organization's larger Be Out There campaign, will take place in those cities. The event features a hike (of course) along with stamp/sticker collection, wildlife displays, snacks, crafts, awards to top "junior naturalists," and photos with Ranger Rick. Registration is required. For more details about the event, click here. 

If you don't have children but would like to volunteer to help at the event, click here. 

Snap to It

As mentioned in February, the National Wildlife Federation holds an annual photography contest, which includes categories for pros, amateurs, and children 13-17.

This year's contest just began accepting submissions. The deadline is July 14.  Along with submitting, you can also vote for the People's Choice Award.

Check out the Web page here.

Children 12 and under can submit to the Ranger Rick photo contest, which has winners announced every four months with deadlines January 31, May 31, and September 30.

Wild Landmark

This month, the National Wildlife Federation is celebrating its 75th anniversary. February 3 marked the official day, and I wanted to acknowledge the milestone and NWF's impact on me.

I grew up reading the organization's kids' magazines (first Your Big Backyard and then Ranger Rick).  With nature all around me and a love of animals already in place, the magazines seemed a natural fit. I still remember learning how to make art out of cones and leaves.

For a long time, I didn't know NWF published the magazines. Then, as an adult, I started looking for environmental organizations to support and selected NWF as one of them. When I discovered that the organization was responsible for two of the publications that shaped my youth, I figured I had made a fitting choice.

Anyway, Happy Birthday, NWF. Thanks for helping articulate my relationship with the environment and for helping others explore their connections to it.