Keep a Sense of Adventure

Wilderness or wildlands are natural environments on Earth that have not been significantly modified by human activity. Wilderness describes a place where humans have no presence. A wilderness is uninhabited or inhabited only by wild animals. Wilderness areas usually lack roads, buildings, and other man-made structures.  They provide a natural environment for plant and animal species. 

Research shows that just 23% of the Earth’s land surface (excluding Antarctica) and 13% of the ocean can now be classified as wilderness.  This represents nearly a 10% decline over the last 20 years.  More than 70% of what remains is found within just five countries.  Arctic Tundra in Alaska is considered a wilderness area.  The Boreal Forest in Canada, the Amazon region in Brazil, the Okavango Delta in Botswana and the Desert area in Australia are the other four wilderness areas.

There are many benefits of wilderness areas.  The wilderness cleans our air and filters our water.  It provides a home for wildlife and a visit to a wilderness area gives us a chance to camp, hike, or fish.  Being in the wildlands is an experience and it must be felt. It is a place for reflection and for physical and mental challenges. The air you breathe, the peaks you climb, or the natural sounds you hear are all a part of the experience of being in a wilderness area.

Some towns and cities have areas nearby that have been set aside as wilderness areas.  In my city of Lethbridge we have a park called the Alexander Wilderness Park. 

In the town of Fort MacLeod, AB they have the River Valley Wilderness Park which was established in 1991.  It consists of a network of recreation trails that explore the area along the Old Man River.  

It is home to prairie and riparian wildlife.  Riparian means wetlands located on the banks of rivers and streams.  One can see beaver, muskrats, white tail and mule deer, and the occasional moose and bob cat. 

Along the main trail of this day use park are playgrounds, sitting benches, pit toilets, and information signs detailing the flora and fauna. This urban wilderness park located right in the middle of Fort MacLeod is a wonderful park to walk in. 

These are the sayings on the bookmark called Advice from the Wilderness.

• Keep a sense of adventure

• Listen to the wind

• Be taken by wonder

• Tread lightly on the earth

• Immerse yourself in nature

• Let the storms pass

• Take a hike!

Here are my thoughts about each of these sayings. 

• Keep a sense of adventure - Be adventurous and try new things.

• Listen to the wind - The wind blows where it will.  Listen and hear what the wind has to say. One word used to describe the Holy Spirit is wind.

• Be taken by wonder - When you stumble upon a beautiful flower or plant or some wildlife like a beaver or a deer, stop in wonder and enjoy the beauty of creation.

• Tread lightly on the earth - Just leave footprints, nothing else - no littering.

• Immerse yourself in nature - Enjoy the beauty and wonder of nature around you.

• Let the storms pass - Let go of the things that you cannot change.

• Take a hike! - Go for a walk.  Get outside and get some exercise!

Have a great day everyone.  Keep a sense of adventure and be taken by wonder.

# living life abundantly   # published author   # travelling tuesdays