Tag Archives: planet

Celebrating the Beauty of Our Planet

22 Thursday Apr 2021

Posted by in Holidays

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Photo Credit to Wisconsin Lions Camp

You likely already know that today is Earth Day, but did you know that the birth of the modern environmental movement started right here in Wisconsin back in 1970? Senator Gaylord Nelson of Wisconsin had long been concerned about the deteriorating state of the planet, but after a massive oil spill in Santa Barbara in 1969, he knew that the country needed a change.

Senator Nelson was keeping a close eye on students involved in the anti-war movement and was inspired by their energy; he wanted to bring the same type of attention to the public regarding air and water pollution. He decided to bring the idea of teach-in to college campuses and recruited Pete McCloskey and Denis Hayes to spearhead the effort. The team of three chose April 22 as their day of action because it was a weekday that fell between Spring Break and Final Exams.

They realized the potential to influence all Americans, so Hayes hired 85 staffers to promote events across the country, which then grew to include a wide range of organizations, faith groups and more.  

Although it may not be initially obvious, Lions Pride is a big supporter of Earth Day, stick around to find out why!

As you likely already know, we work closely with the Wisconsin Lions Camp. Each year, we are able to bring children with special needs from around the state to Rosholt for a week of fun and inspire a generation of nature lovers.

During their week away, campers have 440 acres and a 45-acre private lake to explore. They each have the opportunity for a comprehensive outdoor program. Days are filled with outdoor camping, canoeing, hiking, swimming, sailing, archery, sports and so much more. The importance of environmental awareness is rooted in each of these activities.

Once the week has come to an end, we hope they take back an appreciation of our natural world and reappears to choices they make at home. For instance, we hope that when given the opportunity they choose the great outdoors more often than modern devices such as helping their parents plant a garden rather than staying in to play on their iPad.

Our world is an incredible gift and Earth Day reminds us all to cherish it as such. How will you choose to celebrate the beauty of our planet?

Plant a Tree This Arbor Day

23 Thursday Apr 2020

Posted by in Lions Camp, Special Events

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Lions Lake in Fall

Photo Credit to Wisconsin Lions Camp

Friday marks the observance of Arbor Day, a holiday dedicated to celebrating the beneficial role that trees play in our lives. Of course, this year’s celebration will be different we’ve seen in years past due to the novel coronavirus and extended “Safer to Home” Orders.

Two years ago, we developed tips on planning a tree planting project with a group, but we know that these points may not be especially pertinent to life in 2020 since none of us can predict when it will be considered safe to gather in groups. However, we think it’s important to bear in mind that planting a tree doesn’t necessarily require a group; instead, it may be a memorable outing for families wanting to make a positive impact on the environment.

Since the ground is no longer frozen (that is here in Central Wisconsin,) now is a fantastic time to plant a tree. By planting in the spring, you allow the tree an opportunity to grow all summer long then prepare for the cold winter months. Nonetheless, there are a few challenges that you will likely need to address. With the help of BHG, we’ve compiled a few tips to improve your chances of a successful tree planting:

  1. Safety first! Before even picking up the shovel, please be sure there will be no utility lines down below. Call the Diggers Hotline (811) before planning to dig. The dispatcher will ask you questions about your project and will need to reach out to local public utilities, which can take some time. The best time to call is two to three days before digging your hole.
  2. When you are ready to plant, dig a hole two to three times as wide as the root ball of your tree to allow for sufficient backfill soil.
  3. As you place the root ball within the hole, be sure to handle carefully to keep it all intact.
  4. Once the root ball is in your ideal location, surround it with lightly packed soil. Loose soil will help the roots grow easily.
  5. The biggest obstacle to planting in the spring is that the tree will need to make new roots and new leaves at the same time, which requires a lot of sugar and water. Be sure to give the tree a large drink of water just after planting and every day for weeks after. Adding mulch to the base of the tree will help keep the weeds out and reduce water loss.

If you are a Lion or Lioness, and plan to plant one or more trees in observance of Arbor Day, we invite you to share your numbers with Multiple District’s Environmental Chair, Lion Anita LeCleir at tia1937@yahoo.com.

At Lions Pride, our job is to preserve, protect and provide for Lions Camp and all other WLF projects, but we think those three essential words can also be applied to our responsibility as conscious citizens.

Instead of thinking of Arbor Day as just a one-day celebration, perhaps we can consider it as an opportunity to continually come up with new ways to improve the world around us. Remember that small steps, like planting a tree, can have a positive effect on our environment as well as generations to come.

Thank you for continuing to protect Planet Earth!

 

The Origin of the Dog Days of Summer

05 Thursday Jul 2018

Posted by in News, Special Events

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Doggone it, the temperature is hot out there! But they don’t call it the Dog Days of Canis MajorSummer for nothing, right? Here at Lions Pride, we thought it would be interesting to find out what this common phrase has to do with man’s best friend.

The official Dog Days of Summer take place from July 3 to August 11. Many people assume that the common phrase comes from the sluggish behavior that dogs exhibit during this six-week stretch, but the real meaning comes from astronomy.

According to the Farmers’ Almanac, the phrase originated in reference to the fact that at this time, the sun occupies the same region of the sky as Sirius, the brightest star visible from any part of the planet and part of the constellation Canis Major, the Greater Dog.

During the summer, the sun rises and sets with Sirius. July 23 is a particularly significant date because the star becomes incredibly bright. In fact, the ancient Romans believe that it acted as an additional heat source, increasing the sun’s warmth. As a result, the Dog Days of Summer came to mean the 20 days before and after Sirius’s alignment with the sun.

Of course, this period may very well be the hottest stretch of the summer, but it doesn’t anything to do with the brightest star. The heat of the summer comes from the position of the Earth’s tilt. The tilt of the Earth causes the sun’s rays to hit at a more of a direct angle and a more extended period of time during the summer months in the Northern Hemisphere – meaning hotter, longer days than we experience the rest of the year.

We know that miserably hot, muggy days are not always pleasant, but it’s the perfect time to participate in water activities like boating, swimming and relaxing. Remember, we live in Wisconsin, so it won’t be long until there’s snow on the ground.

Enjoy the Dog Days of Summer and stay cool out there!