Article and Photo by Craig McArt
What can we do to get youngsters at Eastman to experience and appreciate our woodlands and wildlife?
That was the question posed by Board President Maynard Goldman to the Woodlands and Wildlife Committee a year ago. We hoped that WHOSA would be the answer. An acronym for Woodland Hikes on Sunday Afternoons, WHOSA was conceived as a summer program of family friendly hikes on Eastman trails. The hikes were led by members of the Woodlands and Wildlife Committee.
The first hike, which was in Giant Rhododendron Park, was considered a success. It drew about 20 enthusiastic participants despite occasional rain showers. The rest of the summer produced sunny Sundays, which pulled families to the beach and left WHOSA attracting only a few participants.
WHOSA will not be continued next year, but the challenge of Maynard’s question remains. The Eastman forest offers families wonderful opportunities for exercise and appreciation of nature. Woodlands and Wildlife Committee members are enthusiastic about sharing their knowledge of “what’s out there.” As Eastman becomes more resort-like with game room activities and treadmill workouts, we risk losing the strong connection with our outdoor environment that Eastman richly affords.
We will analyze our disappointing attempt to provide this opportunity for families and try some other approach; encouraging appreciation of our forest is too important not to. If you have any ideas in this regard, contact the Woodlands & Wildlife Committee at woods.wildlife at eastmannh.org.
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