Having had a relatively mild winter as we head into spring, I have spent more time outdoors recently. Right before the new year, I read about the 1000 Hours Outside Challenge. The idea is to combat time spent on electronic devices with time spent enjoying nature. In “1000 Hours Outside : Invest in Your Wellness” in Runner from MaterFILE Complete, Shannon Kell describes the benefits she noticed when her family invested in their wellbeing through time spent outdoors. Reading this article made me consider how outdoor activities need to be both equitable and accessible for all to enjoy. Using the Michigan eLibrary (MeL), I discovered ways people are breaking down stereotypes and making the outdoors more accessible for all people.

Redefining Stereotypes

Ambreen Tariq and Mirna Valerio both know that they are considered unusual in their outdoor passions. Tariq is the author of Fatima’s Great Outdoors (review from Publishers Weekly). As a Muslim American who immigrated to the United States as a child, Tariq uses Instagram to document her love of the outdoors and America’s beautiful public lands. Articles about her adventures, “Nature Fix” from National Parks and “Tents, Trails, and Tranquility” in Islamic Horizons are included in MasterFILE Complete. Valerio, a trail runner, ultra athlete, cyclist, and Black person, shares how she has moved beyond expectations based on her body size and ethnicity in “Shattering Stereotypes One Mile at a Time” from Trail Run Magazine and how to define being outdoors for oneself in “Learning to Live to the Fullest” from Parks & Recreation.

Accessibility for All

Michigan has been working to make its recreational activities more accessible. For example, “Riverside Park Lands $150K DNR Grant” in the Grand Rapids Business Journal from MasterFILE Complete tells about a park installing an accessible canoe and kayak launch. In addition to water sports, Consumer Health Complete provides ideas for “Adaptive Outdoor Adventure Sports”  from New Mobility. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources has also acquired track chairs to make state trails and beaches more accessible. “Ian’s Ride on the Great American Rail-Trail” from New Mobility and “Connecting With Nature” from PN describes ways that wheelchair users can fully enjoy trails and outdoor activities throughout the country.

Even if you don’t commit to 1000 hours outdoors this year, MeL can help you discover ways to enjoy nature and be inclusive to all members of your community.

If you have any MeL eResources questions or issues, contact melerhelp@mcls.org for help.

Brought to you by Laura Warren-Gross from the MeL Team. 

Supporting Michigan Libraries by Putting You First. 

Want more information on MeL?  Stay tuned for the next MeL Minute available on many Michigan library listservs,  visit http://mel.org, or sign up for the MeL Minute and other Library of Michigan e-mail lists via GovDelivery. We encourage you to share MeL Minutes with your colleagues and networks. 

MeL eResources are available to Michigan residents or for Michigan library or school access only. 

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Laura Warren-Gross

MeL Engagement Specialist for Public Libraries
Midwest Collaborative for Library Services  
517-481-2022 

warren-grossl@mcls.org

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