Recreation

Nature centers often mark their trails to help hikers get around. You can do the same thing on your woodlot. Blazes give your trails a professional look and aid your travel around your land.

Woodlots have lots of kinds of trees. Install low-cost tree ID signs along your trails to educate you and your family about the remarkable diversity on your land.

Animals have better senses than we do, and they can be skittish when they know a human is nearby. A well-placed trail camera can take pictures of elusive wildlife without you needing to be there.

Seeing wildlife on your woodlot is more than fun; it can also be a way to protect those animals in the future. These websites let you share your wildlife sightings with others and help scientists learn how our critter neighbors are doing.

Many plants cause skin irritation. In most cases these irritations are mild, but a few can be severe. Be aware of these plants so you can avoid them or respond with appropriate treatment.

ATV's help you haul heavy loads and visit remote areas, but they can also be dangerous. Take time to learn about ATV safety before you head out for your next ride.

The U.S. has more than 70,000 wildfires and 100,000 thunderstorms every year. If you're caught in your woodlot when one of these disasters strikes, you're at risk for severe injury or death. Know how to avoid these conditions and survive them if you can't get away.

The best way to learn about the life on your woodlot is get out there and see it for yourself. Learn what to look for, where to find it, and how to increase your chances of seeing it.

If you have a lot of trails, you might not know where all of them are or how they connect to one another. Make a map of your trails to learn what you have and make your hikes easier.

A chainsaw is a useful tool, but they also send more than 30,000 people to the ER every year. Get the basics on chainsaw safety, and then attend a class for hands-on training.

Don’t let winter stop you from exploring your woodlot. Strap on a pair of snowshoes to see your land in a new and healthy way.

Cross-country skiing not only gives you the chance to see your woods in winter, it’s also one of the best cardio and full-body workouts available.

Lyme disease is the most well-known tick-borne illness, but it isn’t the only one. Discover why it’s so important to be aware of ticks and how to prevent them from making you sick.

Protect yourself against Lyme disease by avoiding tick bites and checking yourself for ticks after coming in from the outdoors.

Not all ticks carry Lyme disease. If you find a tick on you, knowing what it is can help you know if you need to see a doctor.

Even if a tick bites you, that doesn’t guarantee you’ll get sick. For a fee, labs exist that will test a tick you send in to see if it carries any illnesses it could have transferred to you.

In addition to buying new pretreated tick-repellent clothes, you can send in your current outdoor wear and get it treated to repel ticks.

Hiking is likely the most common way you’ll experience your woodlot. Learn about essential items to bring to make your hike a safe, enjoyable time.

Spending relaxing time in the woods, sometimes called shinrin yoku or forest bathing, is a proven way to reduce stress, improve mood, and lower blood pressure.

You don’t need to consider yourself a writer to find relaxation in expression. Find a place to sit and see what thoughts flow.

You don’t need to be a hunter to experience the excitement of calling back and forth with a turkey in the spring.

If you’re looking for a more rigorous way to experience your woodlot, mountain biking offers a thrilling ride.

Almost all wildlife encounters that end in human injury or death are caused by human actions. Protect yourself by knowing what to do when a wild animal gets too close.

Campfires can be a lot of fun, but they can get out of control if not handled safely. Learn how to safely make, maintain, and put out a campfire.

You don’t need remote wilderness to get the mood-boosting benefits of time in nature. If you have 4 minutes, you can take a mini nature vacation right where you are.

Nature journaling will help you hone your nature observation skills and keep track of what you experience in your woods. Don’t worry if you aren’t a writer, artist, or naturalist; you can still keep a great nature journal.