Spring '10
Featuring: Letter from the Executive Director
By Jason Kissel, an ACRES Executive Director
A high-tech nature preserve, those words don’t seem to go together do they? While in an electronics store, I realized that ACRES nature preserves are far more advanced than any of the latest electronic gadgets. For example, the preserves are always available in high-definition, have 360 degree surround sound, are updated every second, and they even provide a 3-D experience without having to wear those dorky glasses! They also provide many features not available through electronic devices; scents are abundant and varied, textures can be explored, and cold and warmth are present.
Too often, we miss the full grandeur of nature – even while walking through a nature preserve. We often overlook the endless variety of objects and creatures within the preserves simply because we don’t put our observational skills to their highest use. During your next preserve visit, take time to fully experience your visit. Appreciate the surround sound, feel the textures, kneel down and discover the literally hundreds of different things within your reach; don’t worry about knowing what they all are, simply recognize the variety of plants, animals, rocks, and other objects within your reach. Then peel back the leaf litter to discover another world to explore.
When you explore the preserves, rather than just walking through them, you may find that you only travel 25 feet in an hour because of all the discoveries have made! If a TV came out with all the advanced features available through a preserve visit, there would be one in every home. So, why not enjoy the real experience at no cost? Visit a preserve this week, and take a kid with you – they haven’t learned to ignore their surroundings as much as us adults.
Last issue I challenged you to take action to support ACRES in its 50th anniversary year. We have received tremendous response, many have sent in an extra $50 for the 50th, we’ve had an offer of land, people are making donations through the website, and many are volunteering their time and talents.
As the chart below indicates, we are in the midst of unprecedented growth of the ACRES membership. You can do your part to help keep that steep incline heading north! First, please renew your membership – your continued support is very important. Memberships are due in spring, so please check above your address on the back cover to see if your membership expires this June. Second, share ACRES with your friends and family. An ACRES membership is a great way to connect with all the high tech features of the nature preserves!
Download the Quarterly .pdf to read more
