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Promoting Environmental Awareness Through Education

Environmental awareness is not something that just happens. It is a process of education and research, as well as an involvement of individuals with the time and motivation to share knowledge and information critical to responsible stewardship of the Natural Resources in which we have been entrusted to maintain and preserve for future generations. The addition of this section of the Nor Cal Outdoor Website is an attempt to take on a share of this responsibillity in promoting environmental awareness to and through our visitors.

We ask that you be patient with us as we get this section kicked off throughout the 2008 summer season, as we are not yet too certain exactly how implementation is going to take shape. We do know that we have many ideas that we would like to work with, and we are going to be open to suggestions from our visitors on how we might best fulfill our purpose of getting the general public to become more involved in the management of our Natural Resources, and the decisions that dictate how they will best be utillized for the benefit of all stakeholders.

This land Is Our Land!

There are millions of acres of public land accross the nation that have been set aside for beneficial uses by and for the general public. Most people have fallen into a false sense of comfort in believing these lands will be available for them when they get around to finding the time to partake in some of their favorite outdor activities. Unfortunately though, many are not aware that the public lands that they have a right to utillize, are rapidly deminishing in the name of "Environmental Preservation". Special interst groups with loads of money and all the time necessary to devote to locking up our public lands have been allowed to dictate what they believe are the best uses for our public lands. And they are doing this virtually un-opposed! What we need to realize is that: This land is our land, and we have a say in how it is utillized!

Trying to stay abreast of the latest environmental movements is a commitment that cannot be met by the majority of normal people. Due to this lack of available time, people aren't even aware of the mitigation of issues regarding recreational activities that may affect them untill it is nearly too late to get involved in this phase of the process. By then, it is usually a matter of learning to deal with whatever decisions have been made, without proper representation from the "general public".

There are many reasons why this happens and this is one of the main topics that we will discuss at length as we develop this section of the Nor Cal Outdoor Website. It is our goal to be able to help the "general public" become more in tune with how they can be involved in the process.

Communication of envirnmental issues, and education regarding outdoor recreational uses and activities is a crucial aspect of awarness, and will go a long way toward promoting responsible stewardship of our Natural Resources. At Nor Cal Outdoor, we will strive to commit a portion of this website for the purpose of informing and educating people on the issues that effect the way we interact with mother nature.

Be Aware Of What's Happening Behind The Scenes

One of the main issues surrounding the Outdoor Recreational Scene in Northern California and beyond is the lack of awareness of what is going on behind the scenes. This dilemma stems from the fact that the people who actually utillize the resources for the recreation and enjoyment that they were intended for, are just too darn busy building careers and trying to take care of their families, to spend much time sifting through news articles, public notices, and attending public meetings intended to inform all intersted parties of their opportunity to take part in the decision making process.

The Nor Cal Outdoor Mission Statement:

- We support a common sense approach to management and utilization of our natural resources. We believe that there can be balance between preservation and utilization in which people and the environment can successfully co-exist.

- We aspire to preserve our oceans, lakes, rivers, forests and wilderness areas as well as our right to continue to use them for the activities we enjoy.

- We support a continued "sensible" harvest of renewable resources in a manner that is consistant with best available technology and practices that are sensitive to the environment.

- We believe that if we are to realize this balance between people and the environment, we must commit to promote the awareness and education of our children, our government officials and our peers in regard to the responsible stewardship of our natural resources.

SAVE THE EARTH! Gear That Gives Back- Environmentally Sound Products From Backcountry.com

What Environmental News Is Happening In Your Area?

Do you have an outdoor activities related environmental issue going on in your neck of the woods? If so, tell us about it and we will help to get the word out. With the power of the internet, we can get people to get involved right from the comfort of their home. We can circulate petitions, solicit ideas for solutions, and appeal to the authorities for fair consideration when making decisions on land use issues.

Just fill out the form below to get the ball rolling. Let's see what can happen when people are informed of the issues, and given an opportunity to have a say in how we utillize our public lands.

Good Sam Club - Going Green Article

Going Green Is Easy With the Good Sam Club

Everyone is talking about going green like it’s the hottest new trend. Yet the Good Sam Club, providing services to RVers for more than 40 years, has long been offering benefits that encourage members to preserve the environment.

Join the Good Sam Club today and join other RVers who are dedicated to becoming better global citizens.

Along with money-saving benefits like 10% discounts on camping, Good Sam Club members make a difference in the environment. Here’s how you can do your part:

Pick up Litter. One of the Club's largest cleanup efforts is the Good Sam National Cleanup Day. For the past 12 years, Club members across the country join in a shared effort to improve the appearance of our public lands before the summer travel season begins.

Interested in participating in this year’s cleanup effort that clears our highways, parks, beaches and mountains? Become a Good Sam Club member today!

Think Global, Act Local. With more than 2,000 local Good Sam Chapters, many of them have implemented Adopt-a-Highway and Adopt-a-Park Programs. Chapters have adopted more than 600 miles of byways and 126 federal, state and municipal parks across the United States and Canada.

When you join the Good Sam Club, you have the chance to join a dedicated group of RVers who make a positive impact on your local community.

Plan Your Trips. Plan your trip and avoid getting lost, which wastes fuel. Tools like the Good Sam Club's online trip routing can help you prepare. This service is simple to use. Type in your origination and destination, and you’ll get RV-specific routing that includes bridge and tunnel restrictions and state towing laws. You can also get road advisories, an estimate on fuel costs and map out locations that offer Good Sam member discounts.

Good Sam Club benefits like these are good for the environment; Plus, they save you time and money.

Drive Smarter. How? Keep your RV and towed vehicle well tuned, the tires inflated properly; avoid overloading your RV; use the cruise control as often as possible; and drive smoothly. Driving smarter means less fuel consumption.

Reduce, Reuse, Repair, Recycle. Before throwing anything out, consider whether it can be reused, repaired or recycled. And before you make a new purchase, consider purchasing something used – that includes RV parts.

Good Sam members get the members-only monthly magazine – Highways – packed with RV maintenance and technical tips to keep your RV running smoothly. Plus, you’ll get the Good Sam e-newsletter, CyberSam, which delivers helpful tips directly to your in-box.

The Good Sam Club offers many resources
to help members save the planet – while saving money.

Join today and start saving money with member benefits like these:

10% Discount at the network of more than 1,700 Good Sam Parks
Free subscription to Highways magazine, the official publication of the Good Sam Club
RV Emergency Road Service Enrollment Discount
Members-Only Rates on RV and Auto Insurance
Discounts on Trailer Life Directory and RV related books & publications
Good Sam Continued Service Plan (CSP) can save you thousands on RV repairs