The Scout Report -- Volume 26, Number 24

Launched in 2019, Outside Voices "celebrate[s] and amplif[ies] those who don't always see themselves reflected in the 'Great Outdoors' narrative," by centering the stories of "Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC), people with disabilities, LGBTQIA+ folks and others who redefine 'outdoorsy.'" Sarah Shimazaki hosts and produces the podcast (and credits her grandparents for sparking her love of the outdoors). So far, the Outside Voices has released a handful of episodes, each about 30 minutes long. Installments share stories of the guest's unique relationship to and perspective on the outdoors. For example, Episode 5 "Gathering Community at Refuge Outdoor Festival" explores how camping brings a family closer to each other and their community. Episode 1, "Sharing the Stoke with Olivia Vandamme" discusses a surfer and educator's connections to the ocean. Though the podcast is relatively new, it has already been enjoyed by thousands of listeners. Outdoor Voices is a project of Resource Media and receives funding from the Brainerd Foundation and True North Foundation. [EMB]

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A project of The Reading Agency, Reading Well is on a mission to bring health to your bookshelf with book lists curated by health professionals and those with lived experience on a variety of topics. On the Home page, readers will find the five book lists available as of this write-up. These lists cover the following topics: mental health, young people, children, dementia, and long term conditions. Each compilation also addresses several subtopics of these broader themes. For example, the mental health book list includes books on managing anxiety and depression and mindfulness guides from those with lived experience. Similarly, the children's list (designed for elementary-age children) covers topics such as self-esteem, emotions, and living with autism and ADHD. The books are either available for free download (as an ebook or audiobook) or are widely available from local libraries. More than one million users have enjoyed these reading lists and the site's other great resources. Librarians may want to check out the "Mental Health Awareness Week 2020 Library toolkit" found on the Resources page, and many readers may find solace in the "Stay Connected: Self-management during the Covid-19 outbreak" article on the News page. Reading Well is funded by Arts Council England and the Welsh Government and is available in English and Welsh. [EMB]

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Transport yourself to galleries in New York, Copenhagen, Berlin, and beyond with Artland's Exhibitions section. Recent global health events have increased appreciation for virtual art museums and galleries, and this resource provides excellent virtual options. Artland is a company that provides services to connect private collectors and galleries, but even non-members are welcome to wander through a selection of exhibitions currently on view. A few of these exhibits were created to be online only, but most are adapted from closed galleries around the world. Exhibitions are available in a 3D view, so visitors can virtually pass by artworks and see them in relationship to each other on the gallery walls. Viewers can also browse a set of thumbnails of all the works in a given exhibition, enlarging and reading caption information. The site's art collections can be sorted by country, and viewers can use the search bar at the top of the page to search by artist name, gallery name, or collector. [DS]

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As many young people temporarily return to parents' or caregivers' homes due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this October 2019 report from the Pew Research Center may provide insightful data. The report surveyed around 10,000 individuals to explore modern trends in the quest for financial independence. The findings reveal a gap between the desired and the reality: While 64 percent of Americans think the "financial independence" milestone should be achieved by the age of 22, only 24 percent of those 22 years old and younger actually achieve it. The report also indicates that "about 6-in-10 parents [of those surveyed] with children ages 18 to 29 (59 percent) say they have given their kids at least some financial help in the past year." There are differing opinions on whether this increased assistance is warranted. The majority of Americans claim "parents are doing too much for their young adult children these days." Still, this sentiment is not always internalized as "only 28 percent [of parents surveyed] say they themselves do too much for their young adult children." The report also highlights gendered aspects of these statistics and discrepancies in reporting from those receiving financial assistance. [EMB]

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Inviting users to begin "thinking like scientists," Explorify is a widely-regarded tool for fostering science enthusiasm. Teachers will want to bookmark this resource for next year's curriculum, and parents and caregivers may find value in it over the summer months. In response to school closures, some of the site's resources are available without an account under the "Explorify at home!" section (linked on the homepage). However, users who create a free account will gain access to all of the science-based learning Activities. Explorify labels activities by topic and age group. Users can also filter resources by activity topic (e.g. electricity or rocks), type (e.g. video or image gallery), and age group using the search tools at the top of the page. Offering resources that are "purely online with nothing to print or prep," the site is a time and energy saver. Plus, the My Dashboard feature allows users to save activities for a later date (perfect for teachers planning ahead). In addition to activities, the site has a Blog covering topics such as professional development and teaching science. On the Downloads page, instructors will find even more classroom resources, including certificates and posters. Explorify is funded by UK-based education foundation Wellcome and consults with a variety of other STEM and education partners. [EMB]

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Does your latest landscaping project have you in a rut? Dig yourself out of the trench with New Southern Garden. Hosted by horticulturist Nathan Wilson, the show tackles a variety of gardening topics, from invasive species to nature's health benefits. What makes the show unique is that it welcomes user questions (which listeners can contribute using the form on the Contact Us page) and offers responses and tailored tips in monthly Q&A episodes. New Southern Garden also covers a range of gardening best practices in 20 minute "half episodes" such as tips for growing a vegetable garden (see Half Episode 61 "Thoughts on Vegetable Gardening"). Most installments are about an hour and focus on a range of subjects, from the historical symbolism of flowers (see Episode 58 "The Meaning of Flowers with Monique Evancic") to the scientific benefits of being outside (see Episode 59 "A Prescription for Nature").. At the link above readers will find more than 65 episodes, as of this write-up, as well as a few Articles and Videos. Podcast episodes are also available on Stitcher, Apple Podcasts, and other popular streaming sites. Wherever you tune in, Wilson invites you into his horticultural community. As he states, "let's grow something new ... together." [EMB]

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As gardeners know and this resource concurs, "good soil management is critical for crop productivity." This informative article, Soil and Plant Nutrition: A Gardener's Perspective, discusses many soil management techniques that will help readers cultivate great gardens this summer (and beyond). These techniques include tilling soil to increase porosity and water-holding, balancing nutrients from plant and animal matter, and checking soil drainage capacity. The article offers some place-specific commentary pertinent to any readers in Maine, as well as universal insights (such as the major functions, physical makeup, and chemical activity of soil). Readers new to gardening can also benefit, as the article highlights popular soil science terms (italicized throughout) that will increase gardening literacy. University of Maine Extension Professors Lois Berg Stack and Mark Hutchinson originally wrote the post in 2011 and updated its contents in 2016. Both specialize in horticultural fields. The article is part of the University of Maine's Maine Master Gardener Volunteers Manual. Readers who enjoy this piece may want to check out some of the manual's other horticultural topics (cataloged on the left-side panel), including "Composting," "Vegetables," "Food & Nutrition for the Home Gardener." [EMB]

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Britain's famous Hidcote Manor boasts some of the most recognizable and well-regarded gardens in the UK. With Hidcote's virtual tours, readers can instantly explore the red borders, plant house, or old garden. The 3D visuals truly bring viewers serenity within a screen. Enjoy lush vegetation, perfectly pruned hedges, and beautiful flora. Add in sound effects (using the icon in the lower right corner) to make the experience even more authentic. On rainy summer days the website makes an excellent backdrop for tea, reading, or conversation "in the garden." Navigating each garden's views is rather intuitive, and the home page also briefly describes how to use your mouse, keyboard, or computer keys to adjust your viewing perspective. In addition to the immersive virtual tours, readers can learn more about Hidcote on other parts of the site. For example, scrolling to the bottom of the page, readers will find links to related articles, including a piece on Hidcote's history. [EMB]

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Self-proclaimed "gangsta gardener" Ron Finley is changing the conversation on food and community in his south-central Los Angeles neighborhood. On a mission to transform his neighborhood "from food desert to food forest," Finley successfully reformed land-use laws to expand access to sustainable produce and increase his neighbors' capacity to grow their food. In his TED Talk, he discusses his purpose, vision, and perspective. As he puts it: "Gardening is my graffiti. I grow my art." Finley's work continues to inspire sustainable food movements by using gardens as a tool for education and transformation. And, though his speech was just over 10 minutes long, it has garnered significant attention and praise, racking up more than 3 million views. In addition to the video readers will find a transcript of the talk, which is available in 34 languages. While the presentation is several years old, you can stay up-to-date on Finley's continued work on his website (ronfinley.com). The site gives readers more information about the background and current work of the Ron Finley Project, as well as access to other articles and videos about the project's impact. [EMB]

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More than a decade ago Andrew Davidson and Niall McAllister moved their families to the Irish countryside to plant new roots, figuratively (in new homes) and literally (as they each started small produce and livestock farms). Now the duo is on a mission to share what they learned about gardening through Quickcrop. While the organization is, in part, a for-profit business selling everything from garden beds to garden bulbs, the Quickcrop Blog is entirely free and full of incredible insights. Posts are sorted into categories by topic, including: Beginner's Section, Garden Projects, and Growing Tutorials. These categories are flagged in an orange box next to each post listing, allowing readers to sift through the plethora of articles quickly. The blog is frequently updated, usually with a new post every week. Recent entries discuss growing techniques for carrots and tomatoes (see the May 5, 2020 and May 14, 2020 posts) and how to have a successful garden from your windowsill (see the May 8, 2020 post). If you are more of a visual or auditory learner, you may enjoy the Quickcrop YouTube channel, which features video tutorials covering how to grow a variety of crops. You can find all of these videos on the Learn page (accessible after clicking the Quickcrop Home tab) under Plant Videos A-Z, or by scrolling to the bottom of the home page and selecting the "Video Tutorials" link under the Learning heading. [EMB]

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Novice gardeners may be wondering when to break out their shovels and seeds. You will quickly find an answer with this planting calendar from the 02-10-2017 Scout Report. Since its feature, the site has added a resource list for gardening during a pandemic, inviting readers to "grow together" through unpredictable times.

Anyone who has planted a vegetable garden knows that the ideal time to plant can vary widely by geographic location. The National Gardening Association has created this tool, the Garden Planting Calendar, to help. This website will appeal to new gardeners as well as experienced gardeners in new cities. Simply type in a select zipcode, landmark, or city to access a handy chart of when and how to plant all varieties of vegetables. Selecting a specific crop from the generated list pulls up detailed information and images. Readers will also find information about when to start sowing vegetables and when to (if necessary) transplant vegetables from indoor to outdoor gardens. In addition to this chart, visitors can check out quick planting strategies for both the fall and the spring.

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