Wildlife Federation to hear about Brookings parks

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BROOKINGS – The Brookings Wildlife Federation will host Dan Brettschneider, director of Parks, Recreation, & Forestry for the City of Brookings at its Aug. 4 infolunch at noon at the Hy-Vee Club Room. Brettschneider will talk about the parks program with a focus on the ecology, wildlife and outdoor features – and there are a lot of them.

Through the National Wildlife Federation’s Mayors' Monarch Pledge, U.S. communities are committing to create habitat for the monarch butterfly and other pollinators, and to educate citizens about how they can make a difference at home and in their community. At the urging of Brookings Wildlife Federation, former Brookings Mayor Tim Reed took the Monarch Pledge on behalf of the city. Brettschneider will talk about the status of this project.

The crown jewel of the park system is Dakota Nature Park. The 135-acre park began as the city landfill and has become a multi-purpose park with miles of bike trails, a series of lakes and wetlands, tree groves, open prairie and other features. Brettschneider will cover the outdoor activities available there.

Brookings also has a recreational trail that will someday circle the city and today winds for miles through the city. The trail is a wonderful opportunity for people to get outside and see nature. The BWF has long advocated the completion of the trail so that the fishing “holes” around the city will be connected for bike-riding young anglers.

All Brookings parks give residents exposure to nature. We are hearing more and more about how time out-of-doors (in parks) helps our attitudes and health.

Today, the amount of time kids spend outside is only minutes per day compared to screen time of about seven hours per day. Exposure to nature improves psychological and social health. The National Wildlife Federation, South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks, and other nature advocates are trying to get people outside. The BWF and the Brookings’ parks are helping with that goal.

The infolunch is open to the public. The BWF is an affiliate of the National Wildlife Federation and the South Dakota Wildlife Federation. It has provided information, events and services concerning out-of-doors activities and wildlife conservation to Brookings for 36 years. Contact BWF President Spencer Vaa 695-6867.