In Pandemic, More People Are Turning to Nature

re: In Pandemic, More People Are Turning to Nature

steelj — 1/6/2021 9:59:08 PM

I wanted to go camping in a national forest in May and June, but couldn't because the campgrounds were closed. Stupid policy IMO. But anyway that's likely why camping went down - for a long period, probably when the figures for this article were compiled, most people couldn't go camping because it wasn't allowed! Seems like relevant information to include in the article to me, if you are going to mention that camping went down .

Wildlife watching - really? What is that? I'm always looking for wildlife when on the road unless in the city. Is that what they're talking about? The article says fishing was unchanged. Yet fishing license sales are way up. Why no mention of hunting? Not PC enough? Deer harvests are way up nationwide. I'm probably just cranky from the lockdowns and prevailing stupidity everywhere but to me the information in this article seems incomplete, misleading, and generally questionable.

I certainly share the author's hope "future land management decisions" reflect increased interest in nature, therefore more public lands in a natural state. But unless the lockdowns are permanent, why would they? Unfortunately we can't maintain facilities in the parks and forests we have now. New land acquisition has been close to non-existent for decades in the U.S. midwest where i live, and that's not likely to change no matter what, unfortunately. No funds available is probably the main reason for that. Also, local governments often fight against public land purchases because it's removed from the local property tax base.

re: In Pandemic, More People Are Turning to Nature

Randyfast — 1/4/2021 8:40:36 AM

What about the zombie masses "enjoying the outdoors", with a face diaper on! I saw a woman, yesterday, jogging - with a mask on! ridiculous and STUPID! I have no patience with people who have fallen for The Big Con! I go for walks, run, cycle; without a mask. I have this 'crazy' idea that I have to be able to breath - unrestricted.

re: In Pandemic, More People Are Turning to Nature

debsan — 1/1/2021 5:00:06 AM

Nature is the great healer -- touching base with God's creatures and creations are the best "touchstone" for healing. the body, mind, and spirit.

re: In Pandemic, More People Are Turning to Nature

kkumligmail.com — 12/31/2020 9:33:33 AM

Thank you for this article. In the past I have read about specific health benefits of exposure to nature, including boosting the immune system's awareness by exposure to multiple natural airborne particles which typify each environment. This increased "learning" by the immune system makes it more readily able to distinguish between beneficial and harmful substances inthe future. Enjoy the natural world!

re: In Pandemic, More People Are Turning to Nature

Almond — 12/23/2020 4:43:39 AM

I have always felt safest in the middle of a forest. Now, modern science confirms my intuition--at least with regard to covid. I never feel lonesome in the woods. There is always too much going on for me to feel uninvolved. That is not to say that I do not take precautions. Sometimes, it is wise to be accompanied and have a buddy system.

Some people have never turned away from nature. For us, this "Brave New World" seems more like a scene from "Idiocracy". I have no interest in becoming a GMO less-than-human-being.

With the exception of trauma care, where systems in the body must be immediately overridden for the sake of survival, the only "good" medicine works in harmony with nature.

I have been told so many times that I am going to die of this, that or the other thing that it is tedious to listen to. I am still here and prob healthier than the great majority of others my age. I am doing quite well living the way I am. No reason to change what is working very well for me.