I'm not usually a big fan of new year's resolutions for the simple reason that, if I have to wait until January 1st to commit myself to doing something new, then it's probably too difficult to stick with or not really worth doing in the first place. Generally speaking, I subscribe to the old adage that a new year's resolution is something that "goes in one ear and out the other (as opposed to "in one year and out the other").

Given the fact that many people do, however, make new year's resolutions, here are a few suggestions that you will certainly find easier than trying to lose 25 pounds or giving up eating pepperoni pizza:
Visit a national park that you've never been to before.
With 58 national parks to choose from, you're sure to find a park that will captivate your interest, whether you enjoy camping, hiking, horseback riding, mountain climbing, or any number of water sports. If you fancy snorkeling or scuba diving, then visit Florida's Biscayne National Park or the Virgin Island's Buck Island Reef. For wildlife viewing, you can't go wrong with Montana's Glacier National Park, or practically any of Alaska's eight national parks. For underground adventures, try Mammoth Caves in Kentucky or Carlsbad Caverns in New Mexico. Thermal action abounds at Yellowstone in Wyoming or Hot Springs in Arkansas. Of course, there's always the standby favorites like the Grand Canyon, Yosemite, or Great Smoky Mountains.

Relive a piece of U.S. history at a national historic site or national historical park.
The National Park Service maintains 78 National Historic Sites and 42 National Historical Parks.

Here you can learn about the lives of U.S. Presidents, inventors, or civil and women's rights leaders. You'll find sites that commemorate famous battles throughout our nation's history, places that celebrate great achievements in transportation, the history of Native American culture, and famous exploration routes.

Participate in a local environmental cleanup or restoration project.
Contact your local chapter of the Sierra Club, National Audubon Society, or any number of other national or local organizations that hold park cleanup days, beach sweeps, and so on. Find out when activities are being held in your area, and be sure to bring along family or friends to help share in the work!

Make your voice heard on at least one environmental issue this year.
You can track legislative and congressional affairs as they relate to parks and then contact your local congressman to express your point of view. If tracking bills and legislation is not your style, then contact the National Parks Conservation Association to find out about important current issues that are affecting our national parks.

Visit a national wildlife refuge.
The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service maintains a National Wildlife Refuge System that includes more than 550 protected areas throughout the United States, where you can learn firsthand about about individual species of threatened or endangered plants and animals.

Drive on at least one All-American road or national scenic byway.
The National Scenic Byways Program recognizes highways that offer outstanding scenic, historic, cultural and natural qualities. I can tell you from personal experience that many of these roads are destinations unto themselves and will provide you with an unforgettable traveling experience.

Share a picnic lunch with your family at a state park.
In these busy times, it becomes more and more of a challenge to find time to relax and enjoy the outdoors. With nearly 5000 state parks to choose from, it is really easy to plan a day trip to a state park in your area. For some ideas on which parks to visit, contact your own state park agency or choose from a list of the 150 best state parks or best winter state parks as judged by state park directors and park personnel.

Best wishes for a happy and safe 2007.
copyright © Darren Smith and his licensors. All rights reserved. Bringing Nature into your Life I'm not usually a big fan of new year's resolutions for the simple reason that, if I have to wait until January 1st to commit myself to doing something new, then it's probably too difficult to stick with or not really worth doing in the first place. Generally speaking, I subscribe to the old adage that a new year's resolution is something that "goes in one ear and out the other (as opposed to "in one year and out the other"). Given the fact that many people do, however, make new year's resolutions, here are a few suggestions that you will certainly find easier than trying to lose 25 pounds or giving up eating pepperoni pizza:
Visit a national park that you've never been to before.
With 58 national parks to choose from, you're sure to find a park that will captivate your interest, whether you enjoy camping, hiking, horseback riding, mountain climbing, or any number of water sports. If you fancy snorkeling or scuba diving, then visit Florida's Biscayne National Park or the Virgin Island's Buck Island Reef. For wildlife viewing, you can't go wrong with Montana's Glacier National Park, or practically any of Alaska's eight national parks. For underground adventures, try Mammoth Caves in Kentucky or Carlsbad Caverns in New Mexico. Thermal action abounds at Yellowstone in Wyoming or Hot Springs in Arkansas. Of course, there's always the standby favorites like the Grand Canyon, Yosemite, or Great Smoky Mountains.

Relive a piece of U.S. history at a national historic site or national historical park.
The National Park Service maintains 78 National Historic Sites and 42 National Historical Parks. Here you can learn about the lives of U.S. Presidents, inventors, or civil and women's rights leaders. You'll find sites that commemorate famous battles throughout our nation's history, places that celebrate great achievements in transportation, the history of Native American culture, and famous exploration routes.

Participate in a local environmental cleanup or restoration project.
Contact your local chapter of the Sierra Club, National Audubon Society, or any number of other national or local organizations that hold park cleanup days, beach sweeps, and so on. Find out when activities are being held in your area, and be sure to bring along family or friends to help share in the work!

Make your voice heard on at least one environmental issue this year.
You can track legislative and congressional affairs as they relate to parks and then contact your local congressman to express your point of view. If tracking bills and legislation is not your style, then contact the National Parks Conservation Association to find out about important current issues that are affecting our national parks.

Visit a national wildlife refuge.
The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service maintains a National Wildlife Refuge System that includes more than 550 protected areas throughout the United States, where you can learn firsthand about about individual species of threatened or endangered plants and animals.

Drive on at least one All-American road or national scenic byway.
The National Scenic Byways Program recognizes highways that offer outstanding scenic, historic, cultural and natural qualities. I can tell you from personal experience that many of these roads are destinations unto themselves and will provide you with an unforgettable traveling experience.

Share a picnic lunch with your family at a state park.
In these busy times, it becomes more and more of a challenge to find time to relax and enjoy the outdoors. With nearly 5000 state parks to choose from, it is really easy to plan a day trip to a state park in your area. For some ideas on which parks to visit, contact your own state park agency or choose from a list of the 150 best state parks or best winter state parks as judged by state park directors and park personnel.

Best wishes for a happy and safe 2007.