Save Our State Parks Program

I've spent a lot of time hiking and enjoying the many State and National Parks in California. Understandably, I am quite concerned about the upcoming proposed budget cuts set to impact many of our State Parks later this summer.

The Background

On January 10th, Governor Schwarzenegger released the proposed FY 08-09 state budget which severely impacts the California State Parks and State Beaches.

To cut costs, the budget proposed closing 48 state parks and to reduce lifeguard staffing on 16 state beaches. You can view the list here, see a map here, or watch the list in this YouTube Video of Parks scheduled for Closure.



5 Things Individuals Can Do

If you are concerned about the State Park Closures, you can get involved by supporting the Save Our Parks Program. There are several steps you can take:.

1. Contact your legislators. Tell them to oppose any park closures.

2. Write a letter to the editor to your local paper.

3. Involve others in the campaign to save our state parks.

4. Share your story about enjoying California's state parks.

5. Visit A State Park. (this will open the official State Parks website)

Send an E-Card

One more thing you can do is to send an E-card to your friends and family and get them involved in the Save Our State Parks Program. Send an E-Card to your Friends and Family

This image (one of the e-Cards) is from Armstrong Redwoods State Reserve near Guerneville is scheduled from closure. It one of the beautiful places that I've visited with my husband and would still like to be able to take my daughters to see.

You can learn more about Armstrong Redwoods by watching the YouTube Video to Save Armstrong Redwoods.

About Save Our State Parks Program
The Save Our State Parks Campaign is a project of the California State Parks Foundation.

National Junior Ranger Program

We took our daughters to Yosemite on April 26 to participate in the National Junior Ranger Day Program where they explored, learned and protected.

The National Program included one-hour-long ranger-led program that took the kids through demonstrations of four different neighborhoods.

Almost on cue from the Park Ranger, we had the unusual experience of seeing a Mother Brown Bear and her two cubs casually eating berries. The National Park Service wildlife biologists were on-hand with lots of interesting bear-related information and equipment. All of the children got to climb into a bear trap.

The second half was a fun work service project where the children learned more about park restoration efforts. They helped dig out some of the 'weeds' or non-native species, in this case the Vinca plant.

When they were done the children all got to participate in a swearing in ceremony receiving patches, badges and signing the official National Park Junior Ranger book.

Raising Green Kids

The National Junior Ranger Program was a great way to get everyone outside, to get the girls to learn more about the environment and to let them have first-hand experience with park restoration efforts and encouraging them to become Green Kids.

More on the National Junior Ranger Program

You can find out more about the National Junior Ranger Program including which National Parks offer Junior Ranger Programs at the National Park site below.

National Junior Ranger Program.

Yosemite Junior Rangers

In Yosemite, children can become a Yosemite Junior Ranger at any time by purchasing a self-guided booklet published by the Yosemite Association and completing the designated activities.

In order to earn a Junior Ranger patch, the booklet must be completed, a bag of trash collected and a guided program attended.

This booklet is sold at the Yosemite Valley Visitor Center, Nature Center at Happy Isles (May through September), and Tuolumne Meadows Visitor Center (June through September), and Wawona and Big Oak Flat Information Stations (May through September).

More on Yosemite Junior Rangers:

You can find out more about the Yosemite Junior Ranger Program at the Yosemite National Park site link below.

Yosemite's National Junior Ranger Program.

Featured on Live Green Ordie Directory

My Green Doc Blog has been included in the Live Green Ordie Directory a collection of websites that encourages people to learn how to live green.

Livegreenordie.com is a free service offered to individuals and communities with green related website content. Visitors can search over 500 green related websites and learn how to live green.

We are currently featured under the Newest Sites or your can visit our listing directly.

Who is Generation G (Generation Green)?

Defining Generation G or the Green Generation

My Definition of Generation G (Generation Green) or the Green Generation is slightly different than others that are out there. I believe Generation Green is:

• Multi-generational, crossing all age groups.
• Multi-ethnic, crossing all ethnic groups.
• Multi-diversity, crossing all types of people.
  

Generation Green is a diverse and growing body of people who are are concerned about doing green things or eco-friendly things for themselves and the environment. They are a generation that goes green, lives green, eats green, shares green, teaches green and loves green.

For Generation Green,

It's so easy to be green.

No Age Limits
The Green Generation knows no age limit. Generation Green are children, young people, middle aged and older people. The Generation G are children and parents, students and teachers, grandparents and grandchildren all working together to save the planet.

Other Definitions of "Generation G"

When I tried to find a definition of "Generation G" I was surprised at the results. To me I figured that "Generation G" must stand for Generation Green, but I soon discovered that people had other ideas.

Generation Global Economy
According to Deal Architect, Generation G is Generation Global Economy. This Generation G is are part of the new Global economy - the Generation G. Commerce Corps.

Gaming Generation
According to Ian Lamont and Richard Van Eck, associate professor of instructional design and technology at the University of North Dakota, Generation G is the Generation of Games.Generation G is the group of under-40's who belong to the video game generation, who grew up with video games as children and continue to play them as adults.

Generation Geriatrics / Generation Golden Age
Blogger Nomadicasian regards Generation G: the Generation of the Golden Age or the Generation of Geriatrics.

In this case Generation G refers to the people who are past of their prime and living their golden years.

My Definition of Generation G or the Green Generation
I still prefer my definition of Generation G, as the generation is concerned about the environment, the generation that knows no age limit.

This is the one group where the gaming generation and the geriatric generation can work together for the sake of the environment.

My Green Doc Blog is dedicated to the Green Generation.

Nature Appreciation, Awareness and a Continuous Source of Inspiration

Nature has been for me,
for as long as I remember,
a source of solace,
inspiration,
adventure, and delight;
a home,
a teacher,
a companion.

Lorraine Anderson

I have to agree with Lorraine Anderson's descriptive quotes of all of the many benefits one receives from being out in nature. Nature is a constant force and a constant source of inspiration and healing.

Nature is a friend, a teacher, a companion during times of sorrow and times of joy; it has been one of the constant forces in my life, many times working in the background even as I was unaware.

Nature Appreciation, Nature Awareness & Nature Inspiration

Nature Appreciation is taking the time to enjoy or appreciate being outdoors in nature. One can appreciate Nature as easily as taking time to smell the roses, meditating on a mountain, lying in a wildflower field, strolling by a meandering stream, or hiking in ancient redwood groves.

Nature Awareness, as I use the term, is the realization of what has been known for centuries--that there is a healing quality to nature. Nature can be used as therapy or as a therapeutic modality to help people coping with challenges or dealing with loss.

Nature Inspiration is being inspired by being in the outdoors. Whether to create art, to write, to draw, to paint, to photograph or just to revel in the quietness and the beauty that is Mother Nature.

Never Failing Nature

Remember what Frank Lloyd Wright had to say about Nature.

Study nature, love nature, stay close to nature.
It will never fail you.

More Information:
Dyer KA. 2007. Nature Therapy - Therapeutic Walking or Hiking - Green Therapy. Squidoo.com
Dyer KA. 2001. Part 1: The Healing Qualities of Nature. Journey of Hearts.
Dyer KA. 2001. Part 2: Coping with Loss Using Nature. Journey of Hearts.

Photo Source: © Kirsti A. Dyer. Aspen Road.

Nature to Inspire & Heal - A Be Green Clip

Life is fragile, like the dew
hanging delicately
on the grass,
crystal drops
that will be carried away
on the first morning breeze.

Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche

Nature as a Source of Healing
There is a healing quality to nature, which has been known for centuries be it taking time to smell the roses, meditating on a mountain, lying in a wildflower field, strolling by a meandering stream, or hiking in ancient redwood groves. Hippocrates, the father of modern medicine, recognized this powerful attribute in his humbling statement that Nature cures--not the physician.

People instinctively turn to outdoor and nature-loving activities as a way of relaxing and enhancing their well-being. Nature can aid in facilitating self-awareness and promoting healing. For many the outdoors is a source of inspiration, solace, guidance and regeneration.

Time spent outdoors can be restorative and healing. Whether running through a canyon, walking on the sunny beach, hiking through a fern-filled forest, scrambling over rocks along a creek side, watching the last few rays of the setting sun, strolling along a moonlit night, or just sitting breathing fresh clean air, remember

Being out in nature is one of the best prescriptions for overall health and encouraging healing.

Kirsti A. Dyer MD, MS, FT

Excerpt from Dyer KA. 2001. Part 1: The Healing Qualities of Nature. Journey of Hearts.

More Information:
Dyer KA. 2007. Nature Therapy - Therapeutic Walking or Hiking - Green Therapy. Squidoo.com
Dyer KA. 2001. Part 1: The Healing Qualities of Nature. Journey of Hearts.
Dyer KA. 2001. Part 2: Coping with Loss Using Nature. Journey of Hearts.

More Be Green Clips/Quotes
Dyer KA. Be Green Quote - Welcoming Nature. My Green Doc Blog.

Image: Modified Microsoft Photo.

This Earth Day - Choose Hope, Choose Action, Choose to Solve the Crisis

A moving message of hope this Earth Day from the Environmental Defense Fund.





Join in and

Choose Hope, Choose Action, Choose to Solve the Global Warming Crisis.

If everyone contributes a bit together we find the solutions to solve the crisis. Remember what Al Gore has said:

What we take for granted might not be here for our children.

I want to be sure that my children have access to the same natural beauty in our environment that I have as a child and as an adult.

Make One Small Change
This year Celebrate Earth Day by committing to make one change to your daily routine. Changing one small change can make a big difference over the course of a year. Some suggestions:

• Bring lunch to work in a reusable container
  
• Remember to bring a reusable shopping bag and stop using plastic bags
  
• Unplug your chargers
• Stop buying plastic bottles
  

For even more suggestions take a look at these older posts:

• Earth Day 2008 - Tips to Help Our Climate
• Green Things That Can Make a Difference
  

You can read more about Al Gore's quest to save the planet and simple ways to help the environment at the Earth Hour 2008 - Earth Day lens.

Reusable Bag Day - April 21, 2008

"Paper or Plastic?"

The new answer is "NEITHER!"

National Reusable Bag Day
National Reusable Bag Day is a great opportunity to BYOB (Bring Your Own Bag) and help reduce disposable bag usage nationwide. The event is being sponsored by Earthshare and Earthwise Bag Company, Inc.

The Plastic Bag Issue
If you grocery shop once a week, in five years you’ll have kept about 250 to 1,000 grocery bags out of our landfills.

100 billion disposable plastic bags are used each year in the U.S., 99% of which are not recycled – and that each bag could take up to a thousand years to fully break down naturally in landfills.

Get Involved with Reusable Bag Day

Starting on April 21 and from then on every other day, when you are given the choice of "Paper or Plastic?" say "NEITHER!" Remember to BYOB - bring or purchase your own reusable bag instead.

Use Reusable Bag Day as the occasion to start bringing reusable bags anytime you shop.

You can make Reusable Bag Day happen every day.

My Green Sac's Reusable Bag Day Sac
My Green Sac™ is releasing our first design on CafePress in honor of Reusable Bag Day.

The My Green Sac 100% cotton canvas signature tote bags make perfect reusable bags. At 15" x 18" x 6" the sac is large enough to carry two bags of plastic groceries.

Order a couple and keep them in the car, then you'll always have a reusable bag when you need one. (Click on the Cafepress link or the image link.)

Remember to make Reusable Bag Day something you do every day.

More Information:
Reusable Bag Day - April 21, 2008, EarthShareCA.org
ReusableBagDay.org
Ways to Get Involved. ReusableBagDay.org

Earth Day 2008 - Tips to Help Our Climate

Each person can make a difference
because one small positive act
multiplied millions of times
produces immense benefits.

Patrick Gonzales
Nature Conservancy Scientist

Patrick Gonzales, a Nature Conservancy climate scientist, offers his top tips for lowering carbon emissions. The tips are ordered in the order that I would find them the easiest to do.

1. Recycle and use recycled products. Products made from recycled paper, glass, metal and plastic reduce carbon emissions because recycled products use less energy to manufacture than products made from completely new materials.
2. Inflate your tires. Cars get better gas mileage when the tires are fully inflated, so it will burn less gas and emit less carbon. Check your automobile tires monthly to ensure that the tires are fully inflated.
3. Turn down the heat. Heating and air conditioning account for more than half of the energy that a home uses in the United States. You can help make a difference in your overall energy use simply by turning down the heat or air conditioning when you leave the house or go to bed.
   
4. Use compact fluorescent light bulbs. These energy-efficient bulbs help fight climate change by reducing the amount of fossil fuels that utilities burn.
   
5. Travel light. Walk or bike instead of driving a car. Cars and trucks run on fossil fuels, which release carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Walking or biking when you can instead of driving will save one pound of carbon for every mile you travel.
6. Teleconference instead of flying. For office meetings, if you can telephone or video conference, not only will save time and money, but you will also save carbon emissions.
   
7. Act globally, eat locally. Shopping at a local farmers' markets can help save the climate by reducing shipping costs of food seen with large supermarkets. Shopping locally will bring fresh, healthy food home and help save our climate.
   
8. Plant native trees. Trees absorb carbon dioxide from the air and use it as their energy source, producing oxygen for us to breathe. A single tree can remove and store 700 to 7,000 pounds of carbon over its lifetime. Trees that shade a house help can reduce the energy required to run the air conditioner.
9. Buy renewable energy. A growing number of utilities generate electricity from renewable energy sources with solar panels, windmills and other technologies. If your utility offers renewable energy, buy it. If not, send them a message asking for clean energy.

Remember it is the small changes that we make in our everyday lives that can make a big difference.

You can find more details behind the science of this Scientist's Conservation choices at the Nature Conservancy site.

Source: Gonzales P. Climate Change: What You Can Do. Nature Conservancy.

Green Tip of the Week from the National Geographic

The National Geographic offers their Green Tip of the Week as another cool widget to help spread the Go Green information.



For another Cool Green Tip Widget, see the iGo Green Tip of the Day post.

My Green Doc joins a Blog Party for Moms

On May 12-16, 2008 Mommyfest (the brainchild of Marie Ynami) is hosting a Blog Party where moms all over the net will get a chance to meet other moms as they blog hop through each others blogs.

According to Marie,

The whole point of throwing this blog party is so that we get to meet other moms in cyberspace and make a connection.

Since My Green Doc Blog is a family friendly, kind and mom friendly blog, I've signed up this blog to participate.

Marie is encouraging everyone to give something away during the Blog party, so I'll be thinking of something "Green" as a give away. Keep reading for more details.

Be Green Quote - Welcoming Nature

To me a lush carpet
of pine needles
or spongy grass
is more welcome
than the most luxurious Persian rug.

Helen Keller

Introducing Be Green Quotes

Be Green Quotes: A Daily Dose of Nature is available as a working prototype widget featuring two quotes. The prototype is include in the side bar.

I am working on creating Be Green Clippings: A Daily Nature Clip featuring a daily quotes, snippets or words to inspire about loving nature and being green.

This prototype "Be Green Quotes" is available from My Green Doc as a Widget for you to install on your own blog and get your daily nature dose. Service is provided by Widgetbox. Click on the widget to find out more.

Green Things That Can Make a Difference

You can make a difference go green and do something positive and live a greener day today.

These are all simple things that you do and them some simple things you can teach your children.

10 Things You Can Do to Be Green

1. Turn out your lights when not in use.
2. Buy energy-saving lights.
3. Turn electrical goods off when not in use.
4. Pump up your car tires to reduce fuel consumption.
5. Walk when you can to save energy.
6. Turn down the thermostat in the winter, turn it up in the summer.
7. Wash full loads of laundry or dishes.
8. Microwave foods instead of using the stove.
9. When you cook on the stove, be sure to cover the pots and pans to reduce energy wasting.
10. Drive the speed limit. It saves gas.
    

See more ways to Be Green at Earth Hour 2008 on Squidoo.

My Green Doc Voki - Welcome to the Green Doc Blog

Welcome to the My Green Doc Voki, a talking voice character, a computer-generated version of myself, Dr. Kirsti A. Dyer a.k.a Green Doc. She will give you a brief introduction to the My Green Doc Blog.

Just start by clicking on the arrow:



Get Your Own Voki

Enjoy the My Green Doc Blog!

My Green Doc Blog is A Kind Blog

In my Blog searches, I came another mini movement for bloggers, the Kind Blog.

The premise of being a Kind Blog is as follows:

By posting this badge, I'm declaring that in addition to humour, intelligence, wit, sadness, snarkiness, passion, exuberance, peace, stillness, excitability, anger or any other emotion you may witness on my site:

1. I will never intentionally hurt other people, whether I know them or not, whether they blog or not, whether they're celebrities or not, either through my words or my images. It's just not my style; and
2. I hope that by the time you've clicked away from my site, I've helped in some way to make your day just a little bit better.

I am registering My Green Doc Blog as a "Kind Blog," as a reminder to myself that the focus of the blog is to be kind, but even more so, to make people's day just a bit better from having read this blog.

Source: Karen Walrond. Kind Blog. Chookooloonks.com

Go Green with iGo Green Tip of the Day

One of the very cool things now (compared to the early days of the Internet when we started the Journey of Hearts site), is all of the cool widgets available from other sites.

The iGo Green Tip of the Day provides daily green tips from iVillage.

Some very Cool Tips to help you and your family Go Green.

Small is Beautiful

In my Internet blog searchings, I came across the Small is Beautiful Manifesto, whose premise is that Small (blogs) is Beautiful:

We believe stories are valuable, no matter how many people read them.
We believe following your passion is more important that watching your site meter.
We believe in the handmade, the first try, the small start, and the good effort.
We believe that small is beautiful.

I am registering My Green Doc Blog as a "Small is Beautiful" blog, as a reminder to myself that my stories are valuable, no matter how many people might eventually be reading them.

Source: Rachell Mee-Chapman & Jen Leme. Small is Beautiful. Magpie Girl.

Welcome to My Green Doc Blog

My Green Doc Blog is Blog for Everyone

I am starting My Green Doc Blog for several reasons. To write about my interests as a physician, as a teacher, as a mother and as a nature enthusiast in

• Green Things outdoors, being out in nature.
• Green Things to eat, eating healthy foods.
• Green Things that are good for the environment.
• Green Things that from other sources.
  

Audience for My Green Doc Blog
The audience for My Green Doc Blog is everyone.

I believe Generation Green is multigenerational, crossing all age groups. The Green Generation knows no age limit. Generation Green are children, young people, middle aged and older people--all those who are concerned about doing green things for themselves and the environment .

My Green Blog is dedicated to the Green Generation, all of those who desire to

* Go Green * Be Green * Eat Green * Live Green *

* Share Green * Teach Green * Love Green *