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SUMMERTIME ART STUFF Looking to busy yourself this summer? Why not indulge your creative side in music lessons at The Music School of Delaware; dance or music classes or the new CAMP NIA at Christina Cultural Arts Center; a pottery class at Center for the Creative Arts; or drawing/painting class at Delaware Art Museum? Summer is the best time to give these types of adventures a try.
FOR THE BIRDS
STATE PARKS PASSPORT PROGRAM Enjoy discovering the beauty and variety of Delaware’s many state parks, from Auburn Valley to Trap Pond by completing the annual photo collection project called the Passport. Take a hike and record your experience with a selfie taken at each of 20 locations in various parks. Submit them by November to win bragging rights, plus free state parks swag including a free annual pass for the parks next season (while supplies last).The specific parks and photo locations are detailed at DeStateParks.com/Passport. — Mark Fields, Contributing Writer
— Joe del Tufo, Contributing Photographer
Photo Joe del Tufo
— Michelle Kramer-Fitzgerald, Contributing Writer
One of my favorite things to do outside is photograph birds. It's challenging, connecting, and often surprising. Delaware has a number of world-class spots for birding, especially during the migration seasons. Bombay Hook and Prime Hook are always excellent, as is the heron rookery just off of Pea Patch Island. That said, sometimes any forest or body of water at the crack of dawn can be rewarding. I've captured images of three different kinds of owls in the forest just a few yards from where I live.
BECOME A CERTIFIED COMMUNITY WILDLIFE HABITAT
DELAWARE GREENWAYS The state’s collection of trails and pathways has evolved way beyond a pedestrian path here, a bike-friendly path there. Delaware now has 200 named trails and 165 miles of asphalt, boardwalk and concrete trails and more are in the “real” planning stage. Out-of-staters have taken notice, regularly coming to places such as Delaware City, where they park for free and take advantage of the Castle Trail. Ditto for the Riverfront and Historic New Castle, the bookends of the brandnew Markell Trail. For you, a Delawarean, these greenways are a benefit of residency. So, take advantage. Grab your bike, sneakers or hiking shoes and hit the trail.
This spring, The Ardens achieved their goal of becoming a Certified Community Wildlife Habitat. They partnered with the National Wildlife Federation and Delaware Nature Society to make their already green community even more wildlife friendly. Approximately 40 residents certified their leaseholds as habitats. The community also earned points toward certification by doing education and outreach. This program creates wildlife-friendly zones in urban and suburban areas to combat loss of habitats. Find out how your neighborhood can participate at NEW. org/CommunityWildlifeHabitat. — Jill Althouse-Wood, Contributing Writer
— Jerry duPhily, Publisher JULY 2021 | OUTANDABOUTNOW.COM
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