Fredericksburg Parent

FredParent July2016

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www.FredParent.NET • 37 Today, limitless options exist for kids to use technology in their everyday lives, so why not use this tool to also engage kids with nature? Marstel-Day Advisory Board Member Evan Hirsche spoke of this as part of Marstel-Day's #StandwithWildlife series. The #StandwithWildlife series was created by Marstel-Day CEO and president Rebecca R. Rubin as a way to highlight endan- gered wildlife and habitat, and identify ways that each of us can do our part to help save nature to address them. Hirsche and his business partner considered the challenge of getting kids in today's world to pay attention to nature. Rather than seeing technology as a hindrance, the partners viewed it as an enabler and created Discover Nature Apps to connect both kids and adults with nature. Discover Nature Apps is a tool that is educational and entertaining for people to use when they visit wildlife refuges, parks, and other public and private lands. The place-based app includes an interactive game that stimulates thinking while also encouraging kids and their parents to pay attention to the natu- ral world around them. It serves the dual purpose of providing information about the surrounding area and types of wildlife they might encounter—sparking their curiosity and desire to learn more. So, the next time you and your kid(s) go to one of the nation's 560-plus National Wildlife Refuges, or even your own backyard, see if there are ways to use technology to enhance the experience. In today's world where technology is an integral part of our lives, it is helpful to remember that it also can be used creatively to draw attention away from the screen. Marstel-Day is an environmental consulting company based in Fredericksburg, Virginia, that offers a variety of innovative solutions to business, government and nonprofit clients. #StandwithWildlife campaign #StandwithWildlife is a lecture series that highlights critical habi- tat and wildlife issues facing our world today. Speakers have included experts who have pre- sented programs about saving habitat for just one more genera- tion; the human-wildlife interface, wildlife trafficking, plastics pollution, conservation leader- ship, getting kids out in nature and more. These talks are open to the public and are recorded. To see past talks, go to: w w w. m a r s t e l - d a y. c o m / stand-with-wildlife, and email Ann Kuo at akuo@ marstel-day.com if you would like to be added to the email list to learn about future talks. Using Technology to Connect Kids with Nature SPONSORED MATERIAL Instagram: www.instagram.com/marstelday Facebook: www.facebook.com/MarstelDay Twitter: twitter.com/MarstelDay Other Nature Apps for Kids A number of great apps are available that are designed to get kids engaged with nature. Check out the following lists that show kid-friendly apps that are available: http://www.sierraclub.org/sierra/2016-1-january-february/green-life/best-nature-apps-for-kids http://www.huffingtonpost.com/ben-klasky/top-outdoor-apps-for-kids_b_6475710.html Evan Hirsche speaks at Marstel Day's #StandwithWildlife series.

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