what_the_heck_is

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What the Heck is Out There?

By: Editor | October 15, 2008 | Category: General

Today, in celebration of Earth Science Week 2008, we welcome Dave Hebert as our guest blogger. Dave writes from the U.S. Geological Survey's Office of Communications, where he also works on social media and web content.

What if you worked with people who sailed through Arctic ice, climbed to the edge of lava-spewing volcanoes, or came face-to-face with grizzly bears?

National Biological Information Infrastructure biologists birding in Maui, Hawai'i

Well, I have the privilege of working with people like that here at the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). My co-workers are doing exciting and important research in energy, climate change, ecosystems, natural hazards, and much more.

Of course, these scientists couldn’t do that work if they didn’t like being outside, and considering the interest in climate change, energy, and other environmental topics, most Americans must want to be outside, too, right?

Maybe not; here’s an excerpt from a recent National Academy of Sciences study: “…all major lines of evidence point to an ongoing and fundamental shift away from nature-based recreation.”

To me, that’s both puzzling and disappointing, and it’s a big reason that the theme for Earth Science Week (ESW) 2008 (Oct. 12-18) is “No Child Left Inside.”

You don’t have to go the ends of the earth to find excitement outside. The USGS has teamed up with the American Geological Institute, sponsor of ESW, and its partners to offer some great tips and ideas on how to explore the great outdoors right where you live. The USGS’s ESW site, for example, has some good pointers:

Get USGS employees’ suggestions for great outdoor spots across the country.
See awesome 3-D images of national parks to get you ready to go.
Use educational resources while you’re out exploring.
Visit USGS public events in States nationwide.
Visit the site to learn more.

My challenge to you, whether you’ve got kids or are just a big kid yourself, is simply to spend a little time outside this week. You don’t have to go far—adventure can be found in your own backyard. So what are your everyday expeditions?