It’s Not Too Cold to Play Outside!

Sometimes I feel like hibernating during the northwest’s long, cold, wet winter months, but spending time outdoors is important year round, especially for kids. If you find your family avoiding the great outdoors these days, check out these links for tips on getting kids outdoors -– and spending quality family time outdoors -– even when it’s cold and wet out! The Impossibly-Busy Parents’ Guide To Getting Kids Outdoors : The National Wildlife Federation knows it can be difficult for busy families to make time for outdoor play, especially when the sun sets before dinner time! Here they offer some quick and easy ways to encourage your kids to spend time outdoors. Be Out There : Also from the National Wildlife Federation, this entire site is dedicated to encouraging families to explore the great outdoors year round. If you’re looking for new places to explore nature with your kids, try the Forest Finder at Finding My Forest. The site also includes ideas for outdoor activities to help kids learn about nature. And if you need some incentive to pry your family away from the fireplace this winter, here are a few studies to remind you how important it is for kids to spend time outdoors: Kids sleep better when they spend time outdoors. Read the report if you don’t believe us! Health Benefits of Outdoor Time . Fast Facts About Outdoor Time . Now go outside and play!

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It’s Not Too Cold to Play Outside!

Diamond Lake — Destination Resort or Day-trip from Crater Lake

Crater Lake National Park is famous. Five miles north, Diamond Lake Resort is favored by locals for camping, trout fishing, and year round fun.

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Diamond Lake — Destination Resort or Day-trip from Crater Lake

Oregon Caves aims to prevent bat disease

Bats are getting a little more protection at the Oregon

National Train Day celebrated in Portland

Thousands of people turned out to celebrate National Train Day in Portland Saturday.

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National Train Day celebrated in Portland

Environmentalists vs. snowmobilers – is there a middle ground?

A proposal by the National Park

Crater Lake has more than 600 inches of snow

Crater Lake National Park hasn’t had more than 600 inches of snow in over a decade.

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Crater Lake has more than 600 inches of snow

Make Every Day Earth Day

Earth Day falls on April 22 each year, but we know most of our readers strive to raise children who are responsible stewards of the Earth every day. Still, it never hurts to focus on our environmental responsibilities –- and the joys of the great outdoors -– when Earth Day does roll around. To help you find ways to celebrate our wonderful planet, we’ve listed a number of Earth Day events happening all month in our Family Favorites roundup, plus you’ll find additional nature-inspired events in our online Family Calendar . For more inspiration, check out the National Wildlife Foundation’s “Get Outside” website with tons of ideas for outdoor family fun year-round. (You’ll find a roundup of Easter Egg Hunts in our Family Favorites this month, too!) What are you doing to celebrate Earth Day?

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Make Every Day Earth Day

Burt’s Bees founder wants to donate national park

Roxanne Quimby wants to give more than 70,000 wild acres next to Maine’s cherished Baxter State Park to the federal government, hoping to create a Maine Woods National Park.

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Burt’s Bees founder wants to donate national park

Old McKenzie Highway honored in American history

The route built up in the footsteps of these Lane County pioneers has been placed on the National Register of Historic Places.

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Old McKenzie Highway honored in American history

Wilderness resort contract up for grabs in Stehekin

Anyone interested in running a wilderness resort needs to look no further than Washington's rugged North Cascades, where the National Park Service is seeking bidders to manage a 21-room lodge, restaurant and general store in the remote community of Stehekin.

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Wilderness resort contract up for grabs in Stehekin

Tilly Jane A-Frame to require reservations

The Oregon Nordic Club has agreed to partner with Mt. Hood National Forest to manage the Tilly Jane A-Frame under a temporary one year special use permit.

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Tilly Jane A-Frame to require reservations

Toxic algae gone from Diamond Lake

A health advisory prompted by high algae levels found in Diamond Lake , located seven miles north of Crater Lake National Park on Highway 138, was lifted Tuesday.

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Toxic algae gone from Diamond Lake

Take a trolley tour around Crater Lake

Visitors to Crater�Lake National Park can now take in the sights aboard a natural gas-fueled trolley car, rather than driving their own cars.

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Take a trolley tour around Crater Lake