Southaven,MS

John Zeanah ,Program Manager, Mid-South Regional Greenprint & Sustainability Plan and members of the Regional Greenprint Consortium received a warm welcome from DeSoto County Board of Supervisors President Mark Gardner and Mayor Chip Johnson at Landers Center as the citizens of DeSoto County gathered to learn more about the Regional Greenprint.

Donnie Chambliess, MC for the event said “this public meeting was held  to inform citizens  about the Mid-South Regional Greenprint and Sustainability Plan  which covers four counties and three states in the Mid-South.”

Mark Gardner

Supervisor Mark Gardner welcomed everyone on behalf of the DeSoto County Board of Supervisors. “We are excited about working together throughout the region with the regional greenprint. Companies looking to relocate ask about quality of life, hiking trails, bike lanes and tennis courts.It is becoming more and more important with these as an economic development factor as well, because where they locate depends on what kind of recreational activities are available. We are real happy with what’s going on in DeSoto County and to be working with the Mid South regional greenprint,” said Gardner.

“Just as a blueprint is a guide and a plan necessary to build a structure, a greenprint is a guide and a plan necessary to build regional connections and accessibility using green space” said John Zeanah.

This regional planning process is driven by a Mid- South Regional Greenprint Consortium working in partnership with governmental bodies and the private sector to establish a regional vision and structure for ongoing collaborative, cross- jurisdictional planning. The Consortium includes representatives from each of the three states (Tennessee, Mississippi and Arkansas), all counties and incorporated communities within the two geographically defined MPO regions, and interested public agencies, planning organizations, nonprofit organizations, businesses, and citizens groups. DeSoto County Greenways and Parks is a member of the Consortium.

Mid-South Regional Greenprint Map

DeSoto Greenways and Parks Coordinator, Larry Jarrett said “The regional greenprint mapping and data layers GIS mapping tool just released would be beneficial to us   since the DeSoto County Recreational District has just formed a committee to begin developing acquisition criteria for adding greenways and parks throughout the county. This will make their job much easier than having to deal with multiple printed maps and layers.”

“I think it’s important for DeSoto County to get involved because this region is growing,” Jarrett said. “Where do we want to grow? How do we want to grow our parks? I-269 will change the face of DeSoto County. Where do we want our green infrastructure — our bike trails and walking trails and our neighborhood parks to be?”

If you are interested in outdoor recreation, economic development, walking and bicycle trails, healthy communities, and good stewardship of the environment, please  take the short survey sponsored by Mid South Regional Greenprint. Go to https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/greenprint1 to do so (takes less than 10 minutes).

If your organization has a newsletter, email list, or social media, please share the survey with your subscribers and followers: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/greenprint1

The Mid-South Greenprint is on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.  Please like us/follow us and share with your friends.  We hope to use the Facebook site to begin generating community conversation about the greenprint, so please help us boost our “likes.”

The next consortium meeting will be May 30, 2013 at the Pickering Center in Germantown, TN.

To view live coverage of the Regional Greenprint public meeting to to:

http://new.livestream.com/accounts/2564105/events/2101408/videos/18814650

“It was very nice speaking with the local seniors about the trails and parks that are closest to them. There were a lot of smiles when we spoke about the future plans of the Greenways!” said Bright.

LifeStyle Transitions was founded in 2005 by Susan East for the purpose of serving the needs of Senior Citizens, their children and their families. LifeStyle Transitions assist and supports Seniors through the uncertain changes that occur during their advanced years. The organization consists of a network of medical and legal professionals, pharmacies, senior active groups, senior communities, assisted living, restaurants, retails stores and more.

DeSoto County Greenways & Parks were very happy to be able to take part in the day. A lot of information was shared with questions being asked and answered. The crowd enjoyed free food, door prizes, great giveaways, a cake walk and lots more!

For more information about LifeStyle Transitions please contact Susan East at 901-482-0018.

DeSoto County, MS  Signs On for May 18 Nationwide Park Celebration

DeSoto County, MS, May 18th – Hundreds of thousands of children nationwide, including here in DeSoto County will take part in a grassroots movement to discover America’s parks through play on Saturday, May 18, to commemorate National Park Trust’s (NPT) third annual National Kids to Parks Day.

At a time when an obesity epidemic touches nearly 1 in 3 children who are either overweight or obese, communities are witnessing sky-rocketing rates of high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes and elevated cholesterol levels in children. Like DeSoto County, other communities across the nation are committing to a simple motto: “active kids are healthy kids” and encouraging their residents to use National Kids to Parks Day as the first of many days spent outdoors, at local parks and recreation sites, to develop more active, healthy lifestyles.

The DeSoto County Greenways & Parks now encourages residents to visit www.kidstoparks.org and sign up so that local families can be counted in the national tally. Then, on May 18, families are encouraged to visit a park or recreation area and submit photos of their adventures to Buddy@BuddyBison.org for possible inclusion in NPT’s national map commemorating the day.

National Kids to Parks Day has been endorsed by Department of Interior’s Youth in the Great Outdoors, America’s State Parks, American Academy of Pediatrics, National Education Association, Children’s National Medical Center, Boy Scouts of America, US Army Corps of Engineers, Children & Nature Network, National Environmental Education Foundation and officially in support of the First Lady’s Let Move Outside! initiative to get more youth and families to be active and live healthier.

“DeSoto County Greenways & Parks is committed to healthy living and our wonderful parks and greenway areas like Cockrum Park and ARK Trails provide excellent spaces for outdoor play. I invite all DeSoto County  residents to join me outdoors on May 18, for National Kids to Parks Day,” said Event Coordinator, Natalie Bright.

Cockrum Community Park

A special commemorative National Kids to Parks Day is being planned for 2:00 at Cockrum Community Park, and all are invited to start their day of play on the parks new play equipment there and adventure out to all DeSoto County other outdoor spaces throughout the day.

The  DeSoto County Greenways program encompasses scenic pathways, protected green space and trails designed to help improve the quality of life for the people of  DeSoto County Mississippi. The Greenways system takes advantage of nature and its beauty and will encompass a variety of multipurpose trails and green space suitable for hiking, skating, jogging, walking, running, equestrian use, canoeing and kayaking and biking.

The DeSoto County Greenways program is a public-private partnership involving the DeSoto County Economic Development Council and the DeSoto County Board of Supervisors.  The  DeSoto County Greenways plan is supported by state and County Elected officials, an advisory council plus numerous public and private  DeSoto County individuals. A Greenways advisory committee meets regularly and encourages you to get involved to make  DeSoto County a better place to live now and in the future. For more information contact us at 662-489-9708 or email desotogreenways@gmail.com.

ABOUT NATIONAL PARK TRUST

National Park Trust is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving parks today and creating park stewards for tomorrow. As people spend more time indoors and as successive generations grow up with less of a connection to nature, NPT wants to build a greater awareness and appreciation for the importance of our country’s public lands and parks. To learn more about our work visit, www.parktrust.org

(Memphis, TN) – A regional consortium of community organizations and cities is diligently working on a “Greenprint” that creates greater access to green space and alternate transportation opportunities all around the Mid-South.  This effort takes vision, careful planning, and valuable public input to assure the community’s values, needs, and desires are met.  Please join us at our second of four region-wide public meeting to “Express Yourself!” and add to the Mid-South Regional Greenprint and Sustainability Plan. This meeting will be held on Tuesday, May 14th at the Landers Civic Center located at 4560 Venture Dr. in Southaven, MS.  It begins at 5:30 p.m. with Greenprint 101, a chance to explore more about the plan and connect with others from the region.  From 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., an interactive program will provide an update on the process followed by a breakout session to allow members of the public to share their ideas and values for how the region’s future can look.

The Mid-South Regional Greenprint and Sustainability Plan is designed to enhance regional livability and sustainability by establishing a unified vision for a region-wide network of connections and accessibility to green spaces.  The plan will consider connections to housing and land use, improved resource conservation and environmental protection, promotion of community health, increased transportation alternatives, and equitable access to parks, fresh food, and infrastructure in communities throughout the region.  These connections will extend throughout DeSoto County, Shelby and Fayette Counties in Tennessee, and Crittenden County, Arkansas.  “This plan is a great opportunity for us to reach across county and state borders and work collaboratively to connect community resources to move our region forward,” said Shelby County Mayor Mark H. Luttrell, Jr.

“We enthusiastically stress the regional aspect of this Greenprint plan,” explains John Zeanah, Program Manager for the Mid-South Regional Greenprint and Sustainability Plan.  “We want the people of DeSoto County and the rest of the region to come out and participate in this meeting to create recreational opportunities, improve personal health, increase access to jobs, schools and make neighborhoods walkable.”

The public’s participation, suggestions and feedback are necessary to create the best Greenprint possible.  To find out more information, please visit

“Missouri has an outstanding system of trails that can accommodate a wide variety of activities ranging from a short walk to a hike through the wilderness,” said Gov. Jay Nixon. “This award is a great honor for our state, and I encourage all Missouri families to get out there and take advantage of this incredible resource found right here in the Show-Me State.

Missouri State Parks offers almost 1,000 miles of managed trails and the state claims more than 500 miles of National Recreation Trails designated by the U.S. Department of Interior. The state lives up to its reputation as “Gateway to the West” with significant trails including the Lewis and Clark, Trail of Tears, Santa Fe National Historic Trails passing through the state and the Pony Express, California, and Oregon National Historic Trails beginning on the western border. Missouri is also the home of the Katy Trail, the longest developed rail-trail in the nation.

“Missourians can walk, hike or bicycle on 230 incredibly diverse trails throughout the state park system,” said Sara Parker Pauley, director of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. “Spending time outdoors exploring our trail system not only provides us with a great adventure, it also provides us with an opportunity to improve our overall health and well-being.”

“The contributions of staff, volunteers, and support groups have made Missouri’s state park trails stand out as the best in the nation,” said Bill Bryan, director of Missouri State Parks, a division of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. “We are proud of these efforts and look forward to continuing work to build on our network so even more families can enjoy trails in our state,” added Bryan while accepting the award on behalf of Missouri State Parks.

The award also recognized Missouri State Parks for a project that began in 2008 to inventory and manage trails, which is being used in a statewide effort to consolidate and coordinate trail data. Missouri State Parks recently released Trails of Missouri State Parks, a publication that provides detailed information on 230 Missouri State Parks trails.

Earlier this year, Gov. Nixon announced that attendance at Missouri’s State Parks increased in 2012, another sign of Missouri’s economic recovery. More that 18 million guests visited Missouri’s State Parks in 2012, the fourth consecutive increase in attendance since Gov. Nixon took office, reversing a 10-year decline in parks attendance.

Increased attendance at Missouri State Parks is also an important factor in the state’s economic growth. An economic impact study for the Missouri state park system released in 2012 reported that the total annual expenditure of state parks visitors in 2011 was approximately $778 million. The overall economic impact of these expenditures is estimated at $1.02 billion in sales, $307 million in payroll and related income, and $123 million in federal, state, and local taxes. Also, visitors’ expenditures support 14,535 jobs in Missouri.

DeSoto Greenways Celebrates Earth Day-Every Day
DeSoto County Greenways & Parks participated in the DeSoto County 3rd Annual Earth Day Event on Saturday, April 20, 2013 on the Hernando Courthouse lawn. The Greenways booth played an important role in informing the community about the Leave No Trace Ethics and the trails system in DeSoto County.

With help from volunteers placed by Volunteer Northwest MS, the Greenways booth offered public handouts, helped kids make pine cone birdfeeders, tattoos, and teach/create Topographic maps. The community had many questions for the Greenways booth. “The community is very excited and interested about the future of the Greenways”, said Natalie Bright, Volunteer Event Coordinator for DeSoto County Greenways & Parks. “The support for the Greenways project is just so overwhelming, I love it!” said Bright.

Also at the Earth Day event, Natalie Bright revealed the winner of the Greenway Youth Photo Contest. Pictures where entered in from youth photographers

Grand Prize Picture

that visited a DeSoto County Greenway trail or park. Grand Prize winner Maddie G. photo was taken at the DeSoto County Tourism Office in Southaven. The picture was of an Azalea bush that had just bloomed in time for the contest deadline. Photographer Maddie took home a $50 cash prize. “We had such a good response with the youth photo contest we will have another this summer in celebration of Eagle Fest” said Bright.To close the Earth Day celebration Saturday, scouts from the “Bear Den and “Wolf Den” in Pack 190 planted a wildflower garden at the Johnson Creek Greenway. Some of the scouts needed to earn their conservation badge and jumped on this opportunity. “What better day than during the county’s Earth Day celebration” said Bright.

Scout Pack 190 planting wildflowers at Johnson Creek Greenways.

The Scouts brought their gardening tools, water jugs and team work attitude. They cleared the ground of dead grass, and pulled weeds to make way for planting various type bulbs and wildflower seeds. Many were excited to discover worms and knowing that this would mean good soil to plant. This is a project that the scouts will be able to come back to and help maintain.

“Our boys in the “Wolf Den” and “Bear Den” here at Pack 190 and den leaders Tim Gardner, Mike Hammond, Greg Williams and myself, Susan Finzo, We would all like to thank you for letting us have the opportunity be a part of DeSoto County Greenways development. As most boys love playing and digging around in the dirt, this project was perfect!! Lol… and, an awesome display of “Team Work”! Our Pack 190 Boys Rock!!”

To find out more about the DeSoto County Greenways & Parks please visit www.desotogreenways.org or visit the Greenways Facebook page to stay up to date with events and projects available.

Camping with children can bring you back to the simplicity of nature. It increases your awareness of your surroundings and can refresh your appreciation for the many things that so often go unnoticed. Many things are learned and experienced for the first time during each day in the life of a child. Patience is almost unavoidable. It is so important to take the time to enjoy the journey of these new experiences with your child. In nature there are so many amazing things to discover. Camping can be a wonderful adventure. Just think – the birds and animals, the plants and trees, the rocks, the streams and ponds, the insects, the sounds, the weather, the wildflowers, and the many activities that can provide so much excitement. The possibilities are endless! By planning successful, enjoyable camping trips when your children are young, you will set them on the path to a lifetime of outdoor adventures.

**Get the kids interested in the trip by getting them involved. Build their excitement and anticipation.

• Plan the camping trip together
  • Decide on places to go – consider interests, outdoor experience and children’s ages.
  • Pick activities to do
  • Plan and shop for your meals
  • Prepare and pack the equipment and supplies
• Try a backyard campout before you go for the first time                                           
  • Teach the kids how to set up a tent
  • Try some outdoor cooking
  • Experience a night outdoors in sleeping bags
  • Show them how to use some camping equipment
  • Plan a few activities
  • Search the sky for constellations
  • Listen to the many night sounds
  • Don’t forget the special nighttime snacks
• Try to experience outdoor activities with your kids
  • Get them familiar with the outdoors in order to eliminate their fears
  • Teach them about safety and to respect nature
  • Teach outdoor skills and outdoor ethics
  • Camp chores are actually fun for kids. They love collecting firewood, filling water containers, hammering in tent stacks, camp cooking etc.
  • Make the camp chores extra fun – have contests for gathering the most kindling, best camp cooking, most organized gear
  • Take a small day hike in the woods at a local park
  • Visit a nature center
  • Go fishing at a local pond or stream
  • Take an evening walk
  • Go on a picnic
  • Read related books
  • Have a scavenger hunt
  • Go on a flashlight walk

**Take the necessary gear and supplies

• Extra clothing and shoes – the kids will get wet and extremely dirty
• Warm clothing – it may get chilly especially in the evening/dress in layers
• Insect repellent – consider time-release formulas
• Sunscreen – they’ll be outside all day
• First aid kit – for those little accidents
• Rain gear – keep them dry and warm
• Toys, games, activities – you want to keep them busy
• Check out Want to Play a Game?
• Familiar bedtime items – pillows, blankets, stuffed animals, dolls etc
• Flashlight/glow sticks – to help relieve nighttime fears
• Snacks – all this activity is going to make them hungry
• Drinks – avoid dehydration due to heat and activity level

**Create memories

• Bring a camera with plenty of film/flash/extra batteries
• Disposable type are excellent for outdoor activities
• Give each child their own disposable camera
• Capture your memories with video
• Keep a journal
• Describe details about your trip and the activities you did
• Document special moments
• Include photos
• Have each family member write about their experience              
• Save crafts etc.
• Personalized Jigsaw Puzzles
• Keeping an Outdoor Adventure Photo Journal

**Plan alternative activities

• For bad weather
• To avoid boredom during down times
• If they dislike a certain planned activity

**Respect campground quiet hours

**A few tips on camping with an infant – Submitted by K. Molina

• Use jar baby food. It’s easy to pack. Be sure to buy the smaller jars to cut down on leftovers or waste.
• Buy a brand of baby cereal that has the formula or whole milk already in it…just add a little bottled water.
• Portion out the cereal in small plastic ziplock bags…just add water.
• Buy formula ready-to-drink in cans… you don’t have to add water.
• Buy 2% milk in tetra packs that don’t need to be refrigerated until they’re open
• Buy toys at the dollar store. They will keep your kids occupied in the car and at the campsite…simply throw them away if they get too dirty to take home.

Arkabutla Lake is a great place for people to enjoy camping in DeSoto County. There are three Class A camping facilities that have drinking water, 50/30 amp electrical hookups, water hookups, shower houses, flushable toilets, picnic tables, grills, fire rings, lantern posts, and sanitation disposal stations. If you truly want to “rough it” there are plenty of primitive camping sites available too. You are able to enjoy hiking, biking and swimming to just name a few activities available for you to enjoy close to camp. http://www.sodesoto.com/recreation/arkabutia-lake/

The DeSoto Greenways will be participating in The Great American Campout this year on June 22. For more information on this national event please visit the National Wildlife Federations website http://www.nwf.org/great-american-backyard-campout.aspx

American childhood has moved indoors during the last two decades, taking a mental and physical toll on today’s kids. The negative impact of decreased time outdoors includes a doubling of the childhood obesity rate–accompanied by an incremental hundred billion dollar cost to our health care system–as well as declining creativity, concentration and social skills.

Some say it takes a village to raise a child. We say it takes a backyard, a park, a greenway.

Studies show outdoor time helps children grow lean and strong, enhances imaginations and attention spans, decreases aggression, and boosts classroom performance. In addition, children who spend time in nature regularly are shown to become better stewards of the environment.

Fast Facts About Outdoor Time and Children

*Children are spending half as much time outdoors as they did 20 years ago. (Juster et al 2004); (Burdette & Whitaker 2005); (Kuo & Sullivan 2001)
*Today, kids 8-18 years old devote an average of 7 hours and 38 minutes using entertainment media in a typical day (more than 53 hours a week). (Kaiser Family Foundation)
*In a typical week, only 6% of children ages 9-13 play outside on their own. (Children & Nature Network, 2008)
*Children who play outside are more physically active, more creative in their play, less aggressive and show better concentration. (Burdette and Whitaker, 2005; Ginsburg et al., 2007)
*Sixty minutes of daily unstructured free play is essential to children’s physical and mental health. (American Academy of Pediatrics, 2008)
*The most direct route to caring for the environment as an adult is participating in “wild nature activities” before the age of 11. (Wells and Lekies, 2006)

With Spring arriving, now would be a great time of making OUTDOOR FAMILY TIME a goal! Join the DeSoto Greenways & Parks in registering with the  National Wildlife Federation in their goal to get 10 million kids outside, running, and playing.

http://www.nwf.org/Be-Out-There/Get-Involved/Take-the-Pledge.aspx

Your child is one in a million, take the pledge to Be Out There and make them one of 10 million.  See you at the Trails!

The first thing that a hiker needs to know to avoid snakes is to understand where snakes are likely to be found. Snakes are cold blooded and need to use their environment to regulate their body temperature. Snakes are often found sunny themselves on rocks and roads on bright days in the spring and fall when it is not hot. Hot days normally find snakes in cool, shaded areas. Snakes are quite often found near water. Rock outcroppings, fallen trees, and other areas that can provide both a place to catch the sun and a place to get under shade are ideal for snacks. Hikers that are hiking near these areas need to be especially cautious to avoid snakes.

As with most problems in life, a dose of common sense can help hikers stay out of trouble with snakes. Don’t place bare feet or hands into rock piles, under logs, or into high weeds with checking it out closely. As with bears and most other animals, snakes prefer to avoid humans altogether. Make noise and use a hiking staff to poke around in high grass and other areas likely to hold snakes before moving through. Given the opportunity, the snake will move out of the way.

If a hiker sees a snake while hiking they may want to watch the snake momentarily or take a picture, but the hiker needs to stay away from the snake. Don’t poke the snake with a stick, pick it up, or get on the ground with it for a better picture angle. If the snake acts aggressively simply move away from it, snakes can strike quickly but do move over long distances quickly.

In area where encounters with poisonous snakes are more likely a hiker may want to wear long pants and even consider snake chaps and boots that are bite resistant. Normal hiking boots and shoes are probably not bite proof but will provide a good measure of protection from bites.

Every hiker needs to have a thorough understanding of First Aid skills including how to deal with snake bites. Snake bite kits can also be inexpensively purchased and carried along on hiking trips. A good reference for a snake bite is http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000031.htm

With theses tips in mind you will be able to enjoy your hike and know how to handle yourself if you were to come up on a snake. We hope that you will enjoy the nature trails that DeSoto County Greenways & Parks have to offer! See you at the Trails!

Hernando,MS

John Zeanah ,Program Manager, Mid-South Regional Greenprint & Sustainability Plan and Paul Young, Shelby County TN Director of Sustainability received a warm welcome from Mayor Chip Johnson at the Gale Community Center as the citizens of Hernando and DeSoto County gathered to learn more about the Regional Greenprint.

This public meeting was held  to inform citizens  about the Mid-South Regional Greenprint and Sustainability Plan  which covers four counties and three states in the Mid-South.” Just as a blueprint is a guide and a plan necessary to build a structure, a greenprint is a guide and a plan necessary to build regional connections and accessibility using green space” said Zeanah.

This regional planning process is driven by a Mid- South Regional Greenprint Consortium working in partnership with governmental bodies and the private sector to establish a regional vision and structure for ongoing collaborative, cross- jurisdictional planning. The Consortium includes representatives from each of the three states (Tennessee, Mississippi and Arkansas), all counties and incorporated communities within the two geographically defined MPO regions, and interested public agencies, planning organizations, nonprofit organizations, businesses, and citizens groups.

Mid-South Regional Greenprint Map

Larry Jarrett, DeSoto Greenways and Parks Coordinator, said “The regional greenprint mapping and data layers GIS mapping tool just released would be beneficial us   since the DeSoto County Recreational District has just formed a committee to begin developing acquisition criteria for adding greenways and parks throughout the county. This will make their job much easier than having to deal with multiple printed maps and layers.”

If you are interested in outdoor recreation, economic development, walking and bicycle trails, healthy communities, and good stewardship of the environment, please  take the short survey sponsored by Mid South Regional Greenprint. Go to https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/greenprint1 to do so (takes less than 10 minutes).

If your organization has a newsletter, email list, or social media, please share the survey with your subscribers and followers: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/greenprint1

The Mid-South Greenprint is on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.  Please like us/follow us and share with your friends.  We hope to use the Facebook site to begin generating community conversation about the greenprint, so please help us boost our “likes.”

The next consortium meeting will be May 30, 2013 at the Pickering Center in Germantown, TN.