At Wild Ideas for Getting Outside we explored different ways people can connect to nature by getting outside. Fast-paced presentations covered 5 outdoor activities and where to do them in the Triangle. Afterwards the Outdoor Expo organizations offered information and specific opportunities to get outside and connect with nature in a new place, way or with new people! This event featured free food from Vimala’s Curryblossom Cafe and beer from Deep River Brewing Company.

The Frontier @ RTP
800 Park Offices Dr., Durham

View photos from the event on our Facebook page.

Speakers

Nature Journaling – Cynelsa Broderick, See Why Designs

Cynelsa Broderick, or C y for short, is a Liberian-born, American-raised artist, illustrator and letterer based in North-Carolina (by way of Delaware). A long time art (theater, literature, music, dance, visual and installation… you name it) enthusiast and supporter as well as a nature lover, nature journaling is a fun mix of both worlds for her. She is a CTNC AmeriCorps alum and holds a Bachelors of Environmental Engineering from the University of Delaware. The quote, “STEAM is the new STEM” summarizes the reason she wanted to pursue visual art more seriously in late 2011 and still continues to create today. For more information about her artwork and/or services, please visit http://www.seewhy-designs.com!

Mountain Biking-Andrew Farris, IMBA Certified Instructor, REI Outdoor School

Andrew Farris is an International Mountain Bike Association (IMBA) certified instructor and mechanic with REI’s Outdoor School. He was a founding member of the local IMBA club, Triangle Off Road Cyclists (TORC), and has been deeply involved in Triangle bike community for over 15 years. Farris enjoys all forms of mountain biking, from backcountry touring to dirt jumps, but is happiest riding trails deep in Pisgah National Forest. When he’s not riding bikes, working on bikes, or talking about bikes, Farris works as a federal criminal defense attorney.

Connecting People with Nature-Bo Howes, Director of Conservation and Stewardship, Triangle Land Conservancy

Bo started as Conservation Project Manager for TLC in October 2008 and has successfully identified, initiated, and closed scores of land projects. Bo grew up in Chapel Hill with a deep respect for the environment due in part to his family history; his father, Jonathan Howes, is a former TLC chairman. Bo received degrees in political science and history from Denison University in Ohio. Later he earned his law degree at NC Central University. After a stint working for the North Carolina Industrial Commission, Bo spent a decade working in private practice before realizing a desire to return to his environmental roots. He is the current president of the New Hope Audubon Society and an avid trail runner. Bo is also on the Board of Directors of the NC Botanical Garden Foundation. Bo and his wife, Pat, are instilling a love for the environment in the next generation as they raise their three boys, Jonathan, Max, and Matthew, in Chapel Hill.

Wild Foraging-Elizabeth Weichel and Amanda Matson, Piedmont Picnic Project

Piedmont Picnic Project was co-founded by Elizabeth Weichel and Amanda Matson based on a common love of food history and historical food practices. Elizabeth’s background is in history and museums, particularly in the South. She uses this background to set the local context for the food we eat and the places it grows. Amanda can usually be found picking food out of her or her neighbors’ front yards and then preserving or fermenting it into some new thing. Her background is in community research and advocacy, so she’s all about getting people involved in creating the kind of communities they want to live in. She thinks food is an important part of that. Piedmont Picnic Project uses food history to build awareness and skills around traditional food practices (foraging, gardening, mixology, preserving, fermenting, and creative reuse). They host highly-interactive classes, walking tours, and events in the area to show how food history can be a lot of fun and teach us practical ways to eat and live more locally, sustainably, and simply.

Astronomy-Ian Hewitt, NASA Solar System Ambassador

Ian Hewitt is a JPL/NASA Solar System Ambassador and was a System Architect for a company that designed and manufactured embedded computing systems before changing careers to computational work in astronomy and astrophysics research. He has a BS in Computer Engineering, Masters in Electrical Engineering and is currently working on a Masters of Science in Astronomy. He has written numerous articles of technical journals and community newsletters, as well as speaking to wide variety of groups. An avid amateur astronomer and astrophotographer, he has also taught classes in astronomy, space science and technology.

And your M.C. for the evening…

Justin Robinson, Extra Terrestrial Projects

Justin Robinson is many things to many people: musician, forester, chef, lover of all things green. He spends most of his professional and personal time trying to find ways to help people remember to reconnect to the vast web of life that connect all things.