Best Gift Ideas for Those Who Enjoy the Great Outdoors

The Best Gift Ideas for Those Who Enjoy the Great Outdoors

                                                                               Image courtesy of Pixabay

A Guest Blog by Patrick Young

Seeking the perfect present for a nature loving special someone? Look no further! Spotted Tail Fishing and Travel has found the best gift ideas for your outdoorsy loved one in your life.

Wanderlust

Does your nature lover combine the love of the great outdoors with a love of travel? Why not select a gift that combines both passions? Here are some ideas that marry the two hobbies beautifully:

●Framed maps. Maps from favored state parks and hiking trails can look really lovely in a frame. It’s a fantastic way to record where your loved one went, or the maps can signify eagerly anticipated bucket list trips.

●Bunting. Taking personalization a step further, a bunting made from maps or flags can be a highly individualized gift. Bits of lace or ribbon can feminize the look, tie with rope or twine for masculine appeal, or add an interesting washi tape that brings out your loved one’s sense of style.

●Keepsake box. Another fun use for those maps: decoupage them onto a box to store keepsakes and mementos. You can stencil your loved one’s initials onto the top for aneven more personalized touch, or attach a photo, token or other sentimental remembrance onto the lid.

●Shadow Box. Not feeling very crafty? If your nature lover is an angler, pull together various bits of ephemera, like fishing lures, fishing tour receipts, and the like, and sift them together into a display. It’ll look attractive on the mantel or shelf, and your loved one will enjoy revisiting the memories now and then.

Other explorations

Many outdoors enthusiasts prefer to navigate nature close to home, or are simply well-suited with other kinds of presents. Fear not – we found terrific options to tailor to those tastes, too.

● Nature photograph. Redfin reminds us that adding touches of Mother Nature in the home can offer a mood boost and a dose of stress relief. Give your loved one a framed print of their favorite fishing trip, state park or ocean view.

● Fishing book. If your angler lives in Florida or visits there often, the “Fishing Florida by Paddle- An Angler’s Guide” by John Kumiski makes a great holiday gift. Filled suggested journeys via paddle craft, your loved one will have plenty of trips to plan for.

● Naturalist’s Notebook. Collecting field notes and observations is an interesting and fun way for nature lovers to explore and revisit their journeys. This five-year journal offers guidance for the sorts of experiences one might record, such as the first birdsong of spring and sightings of butterflies, along with illustrations and a calendar format. Campers, hikers, hunters and gardeners are sure to love this beautiful book. Attractive and inspirational, “The Naturalist’s Notebook” is available from Storey.com.

● Tent. For those who enjoy camping at the edges of trails, in the backyard, or deep in the forest, a good tent is a must-have. The “Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL3 Tent” offers a three-person, three-season shelter and is lightweight. Available from REI.com.

● Knife. A good knife is indispensable for most outdoor adventures. The experts at Gear Junkie recommend Gerber Curve Multi-Chain Tool for affordability and good quality. Comfortable, well-made and handy, it’s ready to go along for any excursion your loved one plans. Available at Amazon.

● Water. Access to clean water is not only a convenience but important for safety during outdoor treks. Provide your loved one with this basic essential by gifting the “LifeStraw Go Water Filter Bottle.” The built-in filter removes more than 99% of bacteria and parasites. Available from Amazon.com.

Finding that perfect present just got easier! Whether creative and inspirational or practical and hardworking, you’ll find something that fuels your nature lover’s dreams. Whatever your loved one’s passion is, we’ve got you covered!

Demand Clean Water Now

Demand Clean Water Now

Most of my readers are fishermen. For obvious reasons they need clean water. But all humans and most other organisms require clean water. Since our elected and appointed officials are in many cases taking liberties with that vital resource, it’s time all responsible citizens demand clean water now.

demand clean water

Should Florida’s citizens have to put up with this? Is it a sewer or a river?

On December 1 the Indian River Lagoon Paddle Adventure kicked off. One of the reasons we made this paddle voyage is to highlight the plight of the most biologically diverse estuary in North America. What plight, you ask? Algae blooms have badly fouled lagoon waters the past two summers, caused by nutrient overload in the north half of the lagoon. Nutrient-laden fresh water discharges from Lake Okeechobee have wreaked havoc on the south half of the lagoon for years.

No Drinking Water

Coming soon to a faucet near you?

It’s got to stop.

There are similar problems going on in water bodies state-wide. Coral reefs in the Keys are dying. What happened to the bonefish??? Springs are losing flow. The Floridan Aquifer is becoming polluted. Click on this link to see the hot spots in your community (and there probably are some). Click this link to see photos of the nasty stuff. Is your favorite fishing hole here yet?

If we don’t take action the quality of life we so often take for granted will continue to spiral downward.

The Indian River Lagoon has gotten bad press for the past two years. “Toxic algae blooms”, “fish kills”, “dead dolphins and manatees”, “loss of seagrass”, “a dying lagoon.” It’s affected the economy of the region. Tourists don’t want to visit or go fishing on a dying lagoon.

No one needs to re-invent the wheel. There already exists a core of clean water activists. Help them by offering support in any way you can. You can volunteer at this link…

One easy way to offer support is by signing the Floridian’s Clean Water Declaration.

FLORIDIANS’ CLEAN WATER DECLARATION

In recognition that:

Clean water is essential for healthy people and a healthy economy. Florida water quality and quantity are inseparably linked.

Florida waters are held in public trust by the State of Florida for the benefit of its people and the maintenance of natural ecosystems.

We the undersigned hereby declare:

The people of Florida have an inalienable right to:

  1. Clean drinking water whether that water is drawn from public sources or private wells.
  2. Safe lakes, streams, springs, rivers, canals and coastal waters for swimming and fishing.
  3. Protection from water pollution and its effects.
  4. Know the sources of pollution that threaten Florida’s waters.
  5. Protection from water privatization and its effects.
  6. Abundant water for drinking, fishing and recreation.

The people of Florida, the state government, and the industries that benefit from Florida’s natural resources have the responsibility to:

  1. Stop pollution at its source rather than allowing it to enter our waters.
  2. Protect Florida’s waters, as well as the people who depend on them, fromoverconsumption and privatization.
  3. Protect the natural environment which is critical to the health of Florida’s people,wildlife and economy.
  4. Provide clean water for future generations.

By signing this declaration, we agree to its principles and resolve to work together in good faith to ensure that the future of our waters will be driven by the concepts contained within this FLORIDIANS’ CLEAN WATER DECLARATION.

If you agree with this statement and want to sign on, please visit this link NOW…

It only makes sense that we all demand clean water now.

John Kumiski
http://www.spottedtail.com

All content in this blog, including writing and photos, copyright John Kumiski 2013. All rights are reserved.

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