by Content Coordinator Hannah
What began as just a week back in 1998 has grown into Great Outdoors Month, officially recognized by the U.S. Senate on June 5, 2019. It’s a national celebration meant to encourage people (you’re invited!) to explore and appreciate nature—for all its benefits: mental well-being, stronger communities, economic value, and of course, physical health.
Let me ask you something: What’s your favorite outdoor experience?
Maybe it was a once-in-a-lifetime adventure—or just a small, peaceful moment under the trees. Here are a few of my own, paired with books that stir up something similar.
Walking the shoreline of Lake Michigan just after a rain shower—chilly sand between my toes and a remarkably calm feeling in the air. It was a moment of peace, even though all my senses were activated. 📚 Book pairing: Track of the Cat by Nevada Barr | A mystery set in the wilderness, this first Anna Pigeon novel weaves suspense with the rugged beauty of the outdoors—a fitting match for stormy skies and shifting sands. I’ve yet to physically visit the western U.S., but this book made me feel like I already have been baked in the sun.
Following the meandering boardwalk at my favorite nature preserve, no agenda, just the simple joy of seeing how the seasons shape this place. It’s a gentle kind of magic.
📚 Book pairing: Campfire stories. Volume II: Tales from America’s National Parks and Trails | A collection of essays, stories, and poems sharing unique perspectives on our national parks and trails. Revel in each park’s distinct landscape and allow yourself to be transported to the warm edge of the campfire ring.
Many a late summer evening in my parents’ backyard, and now also in my own, taking silly “artistic” photos of the plants and whispering to them how lovely they are.
📚 Book pairing: Wild Girls: How the Outdoors Shaped the Women Who Challenged a Nation by Tiya Miles | An inspiring, thoughtful exploration of how nature shaped the lives and minds of groundbreaking women. Quiet, curious moments count, too.
If you’re looking for something to take with you into your own time outdoors, check out Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer. It’s part science, part story, and part reminder that the land has always had something to say—we just need to slow down and listen.
But this month isn’t just about appreciating the outdoors—it’s also a time to reflect on access: who gets to enjoy outdoor spaces, who feels welcome, and how we can do better.
📚 For a deeper, more critical look: Dispossessing the Wilderness: Indian Removal and the Making of the National Parks by Mark David Spence. | This important work explores how Indigenous peoples were displaced during the creation of national parks—an essential reminder that our natural spaces carry complex histories.
So, whether you’re headed for a big adventure or just stepping outside for a few minutes of quiet, take a moment to appreciate the outdoors in whatever way works for you. And maybe let me know what your favorite outdoor moment has been. I’d love to hear it.