...in gratitude and hope...
with deepest gratitude for those of the past
whose forethought, courage and selflessness
worked to find, protect and share these places
and with deepest gratitude for those of the present
whose dedication, passion and tireless efforts
continue to care for these places
and with fondest hope for those of the future
may you follow in the footsteps
of those who came before you and
find the greatest joy and inspiration in these places
...this is a good place to call home...
with deepest gratitude for those of the past
whose forethought, courage and selflessness
worked to find, protect and share these places
and with deepest gratitude for those of the present
whose dedication, passion and tireless efforts
continue to care for these places
and with fondest hope for those of the future
may you follow in the footsteps
of those who came before you and
find the greatest joy and inspiration in these places
...this is a good place to call home...
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Why did you build local OPAL?
There are many reasons I built Local OPAL but since taking the time to read all of them might reduce your outdoor time, I’ll limit myself to a few.
Local OPAL was originally created to provide my students and their families with a quick and easy resource for finding places to play and learn outdoors. My thought was that if it was easier for them to locate an outdoor place and a little information about it, perhaps they’d be more likely to ditch their screens and spend time outside. I originally thought it could just be a page or two that I could give them. Little did I know there would be hundreds of places and tens of thousands of public access acres! Local OPAL is built to help folks easily (hopefully) find information about all these areas, regardless of whether they are federal, state, county, town, private or park district lands and also provide resources for connecting with nature.
Continuing to build and grow Local OPAL is born of my love for nature and our community. Yes, we have naysayers and folks who probably just need a hug but I want to believe that maybe they feel that way because they don’t know about all of the amazing treasures we have here and the great depth of kindness and generosity that exists in most people who make central Illinois their home. Call me a dreamer but perhaps if people were outdoors more and engaging with each other more, everyone might improve their physical, mental and social health and the naysayers might come to realize that this is a good place to call home.
Personally, I owe a great debt of gratitude to the outdoors. I’ve always loved to be outside, even when I probably should have been inside. From the time I was very young, time outside has served as my place to be amazed, my place to be challenged, my place to grow, explore and learn, my place to connect with people and my refuge from life’s rough patches. It is my fondest hope that if people are more connected to the outdoors, they will be happier, healthier and inspired to help care for outdoor spaces.
All of us owe a deep debt of gratitude to the folks who originally worked to set aside these places as well as those who work tirelessly caring for them today. They are the giants upon whose shoulders we stand every time we enjoy a park or patch of preserved prairie or ancient tree or wandering trail and so much more. Local OPAL exists to try and help share the work of these hardworking and generous souls.
At its core, Local OPAL is just my ongoing labor of love for our community and the outdoors. There is no profit and no angle, except to encourage you to come out and enjoy our local outdoor gems.
I hope our paths will cross.
See you outdoors soon~
julie =)
There are many reasons I built Local OPAL but since taking the time to read all of them might reduce your outdoor time, I’ll limit myself to a few.
Local OPAL was originally created to provide my students and their families with a quick and easy resource for finding places to play and learn outdoors. My thought was that if it was easier for them to locate an outdoor place and a little information about it, perhaps they’d be more likely to ditch their screens and spend time outside. I originally thought it could just be a page or two that I could give them. Little did I know there would be hundreds of places and tens of thousands of public access acres! Local OPAL is built to help folks easily (hopefully) find information about all these areas, regardless of whether they are federal, state, county, town, private or park district lands and also provide resources for connecting with nature.
Continuing to build and grow Local OPAL is born of my love for nature and our community. Yes, we have naysayers and folks who probably just need a hug but I want to believe that maybe they feel that way because they don’t know about all of the amazing treasures we have here and the great depth of kindness and generosity that exists in most people who make central Illinois their home. Call me a dreamer but perhaps if people were outdoors more and engaging with each other more, everyone might improve their physical, mental and social health and the naysayers might come to realize that this is a good place to call home.
Personally, I owe a great debt of gratitude to the outdoors. I’ve always loved to be outside, even when I probably should have been inside. From the time I was very young, time outside has served as my place to be amazed, my place to be challenged, my place to grow, explore and learn, my place to connect with people and my refuge from life’s rough patches. It is my fondest hope that if people are more connected to the outdoors, they will be happier, healthier and inspired to help care for outdoor spaces.
All of us owe a deep debt of gratitude to the folks who originally worked to set aside these places as well as those who work tirelessly caring for them today. They are the giants upon whose shoulders we stand every time we enjoy a park or patch of preserved prairie or ancient tree or wandering trail and so much more. Local OPAL exists to try and help share the work of these hardworking and generous souls.
At its core, Local OPAL is just my ongoing labor of love for our community and the outdoors. There is no profit and no angle, except to encourage you to come out and enjoy our local outdoor gems.
I hope our paths will cross.
See you outdoors soon~
julie =)
...local OPAL in the news...
https://www.peoriamagazine.com/article/antidote-what-ails-us-get-outside/
https://www.peoriamagazine.com/article/just-get-up-and-go-outside/
https://amp.pekintimes.com/amp/1566279007
https://extension.illinois.edu/news-releases/local-master-naturalist-volunteer-builds-website-encourage-people-enjoy-local-natural
https://www.peoriamagazine.com/article/outdoor-playing-and-learning/
https://extension.illinois.edu/blogs/naturalist-news/2020-10-02-local-opal-guiding-people-nature
https://www.wcbu.org/podcast/on-deck/2021-07-20/on-deck-tuesday-july-20-2021
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c9jWPGZTsFQ
https://www.peoriamagazine.com/article/antidote-what-ails-us-get-outside/
https://www.peoriamagazine.com/article/just-get-up-and-go-outside/
https://amp.pekintimes.com/amp/1566279007
https://extension.illinois.edu/news-releases/local-master-naturalist-volunteer-builds-website-encourage-people-enjoy-local-natural
https://www.peoriamagazine.com/article/outdoor-playing-and-learning/
https://extension.illinois.edu/blogs/naturalist-news/2020-10-02-local-opal-guiding-people-nature
https://www.wcbu.org/podcast/on-deck/2021-07-20/on-deck-tuesday-july-20-2021
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c9jWPGZTsFQ
Musings of a dreamer... How cool would it be if...
...there were outdoor seasonal community challenges encouraging people to visit and be active in different local outdoor areas?
...all kids grew up knowing about our local great outdoor areas and having visited most of them?
...we had local outdoor STRUX (Small Town-Rural-Urban Exchange) events where cross-community activities utilizing diverse outdoor areas from all over our region encouraged folks to get outside and play?
...there was a local event based on the book “Do Princesses Wear Hiking Boots?” and the princesses wore hiking boots?
...local animal welfare groups held Pup Park Crawl fundraisers where dogs/people visit local dog friendly areas?
...Monday morning water cooler chat shifted to discuss where people played outside over the weekend?
...groups adopted a nursing home/children’s hospital and helped residents virtually visit a local park?
...local news outlets had a segment/program like "park of the week"?
...local newspapers did informational pieces about local outdoor areas like “You Gotta Get Outside”?
...local businesses promoted local outdoor areas by sharing employees’ favorite local places to play outside?
...local arts groups sponsored art contests where the subject is people playing and learning outdoors?
...folks did local thru-adventuring where they visit every place or hike every trail in a county or park system or ??
...local places existed where people learn how to paddle or camp or ??
...local places existed to borrow or rent (at nominal cost) basic outdoor equipment (canoes, kayaks, bikes, tents, etc)?
...we had a “trailtessa” type group to guide/help those new to outdoor activities?
...school curriculums emphasized our local outdoor resources?
...we had a local outdoor eco-tourism type company who took people on local outdoor adventures?
...and, and, and, and...
...there were outdoor seasonal community challenges encouraging people to visit and be active in different local outdoor areas?
...all kids grew up knowing about our local great outdoor areas and having visited most of them?
...we had local outdoor STRUX (Small Town-Rural-Urban Exchange) events where cross-community activities utilizing diverse outdoor areas from all over our region encouraged folks to get outside and play?
...there was a local event based on the book “Do Princesses Wear Hiking Boots?” and the princesses wore hiking boots?
...local animal welfare groups held Pup Park Crawl fundraisers where dogs/people visit local dog friendly areas?
...Monday morning water cooler chat shifted to discuss where people played outside over the weekend?
...groups adopted a nursing home/children’s hospital and helped residents virtually visit a local park?
...local news outlets had a segment/program like "park of the week"?
...local newspapers did informational pieces about local outdoor areas like “You Gotta Get Outside”?
...local businesses promoted local outdoor areas by sharing employees’ favorite local places to play outside?
...local arts groups sponsored art contests where the subject is people playing and learning outdoors?
...folks did local thru-adventuring where they visit every place or hike every trail in a county or park system or ??
...local places existed where people learn how to paddle or camp or ??
...local places existed to borrow or rent (at nominal cost) basic outdoor equipment (canoes, kayaks, bikes, tents, etc)?
...we had a “trailtessa” type group to guide/help those new to outdoor activities?
...school curriculums emphasized our local outdoor resources?
...we had a local outdoor eco-tourism type company who took people on local outdoor adventures?
...and, and, and, and...
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Local OPAL has received requests for stickers.
If you'd like one (free), please email your name and mailing address to [email protected]. |
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