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About The nugget. (Sisters, Or.) 1994-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 18, 2017)
Wednesday, October 18, 2017 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon up with a kid — or kids — blasting down the trail with- out caring about where they are, and taking the time to see what’s around them. Neither she nor parents want to spend time getting a kid out of the forest who Tales from a has wrapped him or herself around a tree, or got into a tussle with a buck deer. Walden’s adopted the slogan, by Jim Anderson “If you can’t do this with care, then stay home.” The biking trips cover topics of Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Compost, and An environmental bik- Water Quality, and they ing tour set up for kids in come with their own moun- the Metolius/Camp Sherman tain bike, helmet, backpack, area is worth going on about. lunch and water-bottle. The It’s specifically run for kids first few weeks they focus and it’s operating in the for- on basic bike skills and est on hiking/biking trails safety, and use trails that are around Camp Sherman with easy to moderate levels and the goal of getting kids into not much incline, with many their natural environment observation (aka resting) and paying attention to what points! The bikers are pro- vided with journals, to draw they’re seeing. Can’t beat that with a and make our own observa- tions and trail maps. stick. And Shane, one of the Heather Walden, a bright- as-a-spotlight, up-and-com- eager eco-bikers had this ing young mom thought it to say: “It was amazing! It up. She got to looking around was a blast! We did some art her and noticed kids with not projects, we biked up to the much to do. Then she noticed lake. We had fun swimming the bike trails waiting for in the water after a long bike those kids to use them and ride from Camp Sherman she put two and two together to the lake. We stopped by and came up with the “Black Lake Creek to have lunch breaks and we would wade Butte Eco Bike Explorers.” The current program is in the creek and catch craw- for kids between the ages of dads. One day my dog Stella 10-13, and because this was rolled around in some human her first season in operation, poop that some campers left the program space was lim- behind without burying it. ited. As the program grows, We were disappointed at how she and her board will gross the campsites were left develop a bigger program as by campers along the creek.” At the end of the sea- the community recognizes the value of eco-biking for son, Walden and the bik- ers developed a trail guide kids, and interest grows. It’s a grassroots non- book that others can use to profit program designed to enjoy the out-of-doors. And get kids outdoors to learn of course, in those hot days about ecology and conserva- of summer they rode up to tion through art and hands- Suttle Lake to cool off and on mountain bike explora- swim. During the summer, the tion. The goals are to provide kids knowledge and tools to bikers often took time to make a difference in how return to Camp Sherman in they see the world of nature, the afternoons to work on art help improve the environ- projects with treasures they ment, and keep them from found from nature and/or art hitting trees, running over from scraps found on their wildflowers and bumping in explorations. Kids learned about natu- to wandering wildlife while ral habitats of insects, birds, doing it. Safety and respect are mammals, reptiles and the first things Walden hits amphibians, how and what on every time the kids go See ECO BIKING on page 29 out biking. She won’t put 25 The Nugget Newspaper Crossword By Jacqueline E. Mathews, Tribune News Service Sisters Naturalist Kids, bikes, and nature — Last Week’s Puzzle Solved — This Week’s Crossword Sponsors Cold & Flu Prevention Acupuncture Chinese/ Western Herbs Sisters Acupuncture Center Greg Wieland L.Ac. | 27 yrs. experience 541-549-1523 | 352 E. Hood Ave., Ste. E When the going gets tough, even the tough call us. Banr Enterprises, llc Consult | Construct | Complete Earthwork • Utilities • Grading • Rock Walls • Snow Removal Residential and Commercial Contractor CCB: 165122 www.banr.net | 541-549-6977 FALL SALE 25% OFF BLINDS! FREE Cordless Upgrade! Signature Series Only 541-788-8444 • Free Consulting • Find us online at www.BudgetBlinds.com PHOTO BY JIM ANDERSON Butterflies are big on the bikers’ list of learning. 30+ Years Experience | CCB Licensed #197715 Offer valid through Budget Blinds of Deschutes County only. Cannot be combined with any other offers. *On Signature Series. Expires 10/31/17
