đ Poolâs open | Outdoorsy Newsletter
đ„” Letâs beat the heat
We made it to summer, Outdoorsy friends.
Right now, going out doesnât sound all that appealing â even the trains feel sluggish. And if youâre not prepared, the heat can actually be quite dangerous. This is the part where I want to say, âDonât sweat it,â but letâs be real â you probably already are. Still, thatâs why this newsletter exists: to give you tips and tricks for any challenge in nature, and show you how to stay safe doing it.
Todayâs lineup:
Beat the heat: Philly pools are now open. Plus, our full guide to deal with extreme heat.
Go Birds: Spend 24 hours inside the World Series of Birding.
National Pollinator Month: See how one local homeowner turns yards into sustainable pollinator gardens.
âïž Your weekend weather outlook: Some relief from the extreme heat (phew).
â Paola PĂ©rez ([email protected])
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Wooder ice aside, few things offer cooler relief than a good swim.
Philadelphia began opening public pools on June 13, with another wave opening this week â and more set to open through the weekend.
Today, Mitchell Pool, Hancock Pool, and Ford Pool are set to debut for the season.
Not all city pools are available, though. Hereâs everything you need to know before you go.
đ„” Summer heat guide: From keeping your pets cool, to dealing with no air-conditioning, and ways to prevent (or treat) heat-related illness, our comprehensive guide has you covered.
đ Water safety: A Yeadon swim club is offering free swim lessons for kids (CBS), and a New Jersey nonprofit has unveiled a plan to reduce drownings.
đźâđš Calming the nerves: Heat anxiety is real, according to a local counselor. Here are some ways to cope.
News worth knowing
Philadelphia and other cities in the Northeast and Midwest have been setting under-the-radar records this week even before the sun could get out of bed.
Heat waves feel more intense as the years go on. Using you birth year, weâll show you just how much these events have changed in your lifetime.
An invasive snake fish was recently found in the Schuylkill River. Experts say the fish compete with native species for food.
A century-old rose bush was cut and damaged during a nighttime heist in Germantown. Two years later, the famous flower is back and blossoming.
From big-name concerts and waterfront festivals, thereâs a fireworks show nearly every night leading up to and on Independence Day. Hereâs how to see fireworks displays around Philly, the suburbs, and the Jersey Shore.
đ€ Now Iâm passing the microphone to Jason Nark.
CAPE MAY COUNTY, N.J. â Sleepy college students huddled around their professor in a quiet campground, shuffling their feet and fending off yawns on this cool May night.
It was a few minutes before midnight, and moonlight filtered through the pines in Belleplain State Forest. Elsewhere in New Jerseyâs southernmost county, other groups gathered much the same way, by dunes, marshes, and airports. They stretched their calves and tightened the laces on their hiking boots. They yearned for coffee.
James Kellam, an associate professor of biology at St. Vincent College in Latrobe, Pa., monitored the time. There was no ceremony, no bullhorn to kickoff the competition, just the clock.
âOK, ladies and gentlemen, itâs now midnight,â Kellam whispered. âGood luck.â â Jason Nark
đŠ Tag along with Jason for one of the nationâs premier bird-watching events.
June is National Pollinator Month, so itâs a good time to learn about the critical role they play in our ecosystem.
After learning about sustainable gardening at Wissahickon Trail workshops, a Montgomery County man is on a mission to convince other homeowners to turn their lawns into native habitats that can support pollinators like bees, flies, butterflies, beetles, and hummingbirds.
See how Zibi Bieniaszewski and his wife, Kasia, transformed their Ambler garden to help pollinators thrive.
Keep reading: In Phillyâs Pollinator Network, the birds and the bees have our backs, too.
5 seconds of calm
I recently visited Hopkins Farm Creamery in Lewes, Del. The ice cream was delicious.
Closer to Philly, check out our list of dairy farms, creameries, and cheesemakers worth a drive.
đł Your outdoorsy experience
Shoutout to Larry R. for sharing this stunning photo of his favorite outdoor memory: âMoonrise over French Creek State Park.â
In 200 words, tell us about your favorite adventures or special outdoor memories. We love pictures if you have them. You might see it featured in a future newsletter.
đđœ Next Friday is Independence Day, so this newsletter will return to your inbox on July 11. Until then, take care.
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