Kimberly Oberle (left), who works with Durham Parks and Recreation, and program specialist Stacy Stone (right), show off an exhibit at the Triangle Land Conservancy nature expo.
With spring approaching and the weather getting warm, Triangle Land Conservancy (TLC) invited people to explore the outdoors during its “Wild Ideas for Getting Outside” expo.
Nature lovers shared tips on hiking, camping, canoeing, and mountain biking during the annual event, held in March in the Research Triangle Park. The expo is organized by the Triangle Land Conservancy, a non-profit conservation group with more than 200 members.
“The ‘Wild Idea’ series is really a way to get professionals together with the community to talk about exciting new ideas for making this place that we live in even better,” said Diana Hackenburg, communications manager for the conservation group. “For the people that aren’t already going outside regularly, we wanted them to realize all the different opportunities that is right here in their back yard.”
The expo featured many groups, including Frog Hollow Outdoors (an organization for canoe and kayak education) and Outdoor Afro (which brings African-Americans together for camping, birding, fishing, and more).
Andrew Nicholson joined the crowd at the expo.
“I felt as though I was on an indoor excursion, very adventurous,” said Nicholson.
Kim Oberle, who works with Durham Parks and Recreation, said she appreciated the opportunity to share information about Durham’s programs for nature lovers.
“I really liked connecting to other providers in the area and having an opportunity to explain what it is that [Durham Parks and Recreation] does for the community,” said Oberle, who works as a recreation manager with Durham Parks. “We provide year-round outdoor programs such as evening kayaks at Lake Michie, astronomy programs in local parks, and community campfires in Durham neighborhoods.”
She said introducing people to nature at a young age is key.
“Playing in nature is key in [a child’s] brain development because it stimulates creativity [and] problem-solving,” she said. It also “encourages peer negotiation skills and helps develop children’s fine motor skills.”