Nature Challenge 2011

News Release

Office of Communications
John B. Connally Building * 301 Tarrow, Suite 364 * College Station, TX
77840-7896
Phone 979.458.6606 * Fax 979.458.6610 * E-mail newsmedia@tfs.tamu.edu
<mailto:newsmedia@tfs.tamu.edu>

For IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 4, 2011

Attention Dallas-Fort Worth Families: It's time to get outside and
connected with nature

The statistics are staggering. Kids now spend an average of 45 hours
each week - more time than their parents spend at work - in front of a
computer or television screen.

It's time to turn off the TV and power down the laptop. It's time to get
back outside and reconnected with nature.

It's time for Nature Challenge 2011.

Like a family nature hike with a little Amazing Race thrown in, the
contest is designed to help families across Texas get reconnected with
each other - and the outdoors.

"We hope to instill environmental awareness in kids and families through
hands-on activities rather than brochures and lectures," said Dr.
Melanie Kirk, assistant professor and urban forestry specialist with the
Texas AgriLife Extension Service and co-founder of the program.

"We also hope to instill in them the importance of having healthy and
renewable natural resources and being aware of the ecosystem around you.
The things you do every day impact that ecosystem."

Coordinated by Texas Forest Service and Texas AgriLife Extension, the
competition is hosted regionally in six areas - Dallas-Ft. Worth,
Austin, Houston, San Antonio, Ft. Davis and the Coastal Bend -
throughout the year.

The contest calls for families to visit designated nature sites across
the region in which they live, completing missions at each site. The
families who complete the most missions are eligible for a grand prize.

Last year, more than 2,000 people - or 480 families - across the state
participated in the regional contests.

Opening ceremonies for the Dallas-Fort Worth competition are scheduled
for Sunday, March 6, 2011, from 1 to 4 p.m. at Texas Discovery Gardens.
Closing ceremonies will be held July 17, 2011, from 1 to 4 p.m. at the
Heard Museum.

"It is Nature Challenge, but it's not driven around the process. It's
driven around the experience," said Zeshan Segal, Trinity River Audubon
Center education manager and regional coordinator for the Dallas-Ft.
Worth competition.

"We want to challenge you to get out and learn more about the ecosystem
you live in, learn about the bugs and flowers and what's in creeks and
ponds. But the challenge itself is not about winning. The prize is that
experience you've had with your family that entire summer."

For more information about Nature Challenge 2011, visit
http://naturechallenge.tamu.edu.


Local Dallas-Ft. Worth Contact:
Zeshan Segal, Education Manager, Trinity River Audubon Center
214-309-5812, zsegal@audubon.org <mailto:zsegal@audubon.orgState>

State Contact:
Dr. Melanie Kirk, Assistant Professor and Urban Forestry Specialist,
Texas AgriLife Extension
972-952-9203, mrkirk@ag.tamu.edu <mailto:mrkirk@ag.tamu.eduWriter>

Writer:
Holly Huffman, Communications Specialist, Texas Forest Service
979-485-6605 office, 979-324-0708 cell, hhuffman@tfs.tamu.edu