Increasing numbers of urban dwellers has led to many of us feeling alienated from the natural world. This is not how we are meant to live, and we don't have to. Even in the most built-up environment, nature makes its presence felt. All we have to do is let it in. This book offers 50 invigorating activities and step-by-step projects to do exactly that, for anyone craving a connection with the natural world, but especially those living in cities and towns with limited daily access to it. Green refuges and outdoor spaces are more important now than ever - a break from our stressful, tech-consumed lives. It is well researched that being in nature radically improves our mental health, just minutes from your doorstep. Nature is waiting for us to discover it, even in the most urban environment. Go on a night safari, make a worm farm or create a one-pot allotment. With 200 smart illustrations, this practical and accessible guide will expand your horizons and increase your appreciation of wild spaces, whether on the street, in the park, or in nearby nature reserves. Chapters include: Be an Urban Naturalist: Go on a night safari, appreciate winter trees, spot moths or build a weathervane Engage with the Elements: Wild swimming, mudlarking, barefoot walking and creating art with found natural objects Look to the Skies: Cloudspotting, the dawn chorus and looking for murmurations Make Space for Nature: Building for biodiversity, make a worm farm, green up all your space Dig for Victory: Grow microgreens or create a one-pot allotment Find Your Wild Tribe: Join a community garden, adopt a street tree or take a city hike

NINE LEVELS, EASY TO EXPERT This book stands apart from other staff training manuals. While most titles focus on forms and twirling, The Art and Science of Staff Fighting emphasizes the dynamics of combat. The author draws on thirty years of martial experience, presenting the best of both Eastern and Western traditions. Joe Varady lays out a comprehensive course of study in nine levels, from beginner to expert. He guides readers through such fundamentals as stances, striking, blocking, and footwork. In advanced lessons, readers learn disarming techniques, groundwork, and facing multiple opponents. But this book is not just for staff enthusiasts. Even those unfamiliar with martial arts can adapt these techniques, increasing their skill and confidence in defending themselves. "Our environment is usually full of improvised weapons," Varady writes. "Staff fighting techniques can be effectively applied in a self-defense situation using a walking stick, coatrack, curtain rod, floor lamp, hockey stick, fallen tree branch, broom, mop, shovel, or rake." Equipped with this knowledge, readers will begin to realize that, in one way or another, they are nearly always armed and capable of defending themselves. This book features: Nine levels of instruction, progressing from easy to expert Over 600 photos with motion arrows A "nondenominational" approach to staff, utilizing the best of Eastern and Western arts A comprehensive, methodical approach to building staff skills If you are already a student of the staff, these lessons will not conflict with your katas or current style. Instead, they will augment your techniques, broadening your options. Whether you are an experienced staff fighter or a layman seeking practical techniques for self-defense, The Art and Science of Staff Fighting will help you develop the skills you need.

Originally published in 1930, this book is an exhaustively detailed manual of instruction and advice on how to build a scout troop. Many of the earliest books, particularly those dating back to the 1900s and before, are now extremely scarce and increasingly expensive. Hesperides Press are republishing these classic works in affordable, high quality, modern editions, using the original text and artwork. Contents Include The Architects Training: How Scouting Began. the Architects Designs: What Scouting Means. The Foundations of the Building: Scout Law. Beginning to Build: Tools ''Opened or Controlled''. Materials to Use: Practices. Beams and Girders: Individuality, Discipline. Assistance in Building: Parents, Church, School. Laying the First Courses: Tender Foot Tests, Investiture. Working to Plan: Outdoor Atmosphere. Adding Another Storey: Second-Class Tests. Roofing the Building: First Class Tests. Decorating: Badges, Handcrafts. Housekeeping: Records, Finance. The Domestic Staff: Scoutmaster, Assistant Scoutmaster, Troop Leader. The Family: Individual Scouts, Boy Nature. The Family Grows up: Looking Ahead, Employment. Annual Repairs: Troop Headquarters, Furnishing Gear. Entertainment: Rallies, Concerts. The Garden: Scouting and Religion, Church Parades. The Out-Of-Doors: Open-air-Scouting. Summer Holidays: Camping. Town and Country: Town Troops. The View from the Windows: Scouter's, Training, Brotherhood

50 Things to Do at the Beach transforms a day in the sand and sun into a meaningful and inspiring return to nature. Environmental scientist and professional surfer Easkey Britton teaches us how to peek into the mysterious deep, harness the calming nature of the sea, and engage in fun play, like wave running and swimming. The latest addition to our Explore More series, 50 Things to Do at the Beach shows us how to enjoy the many health benefits of time spent by the sea and give back to the waters that sustain us. Kid-friendly activities make this a must-have for families enjoying time together by the sea, ocean, or lake. Vacationers and seadwellers alike will find new and unexpected ways to enjoy the water. Each section is beautifully illustrated to explain the activities and bring the message to life. Surf's up!

Outward Bound Canoeing Handbook is a handy, illustrated resource on the fundamentals of canoeing, including solid, sound instruction on all aspects of canoeing, from types of canoes to equipment choices, paddle and on-the-water techniques, safety tips, and more. In partnership with outdoor leader Outward Bound, this book combines expert instruction with practical tips to ensure a fun and a satisfying canoe trip for your next outdoor adventure.About Outward Bound: Outward Bound is the premier provider of experience-based outdoor leadership programs for teens, adults and professionals. Outward Bound is a non-profit educational organization and expedition school that serves people of all ages and backgrounds through active learning expeditions that inspire character development, self-discovery and service both in and out of the classroom. Outward Bound excels in curricula developed for struggling teens, groups with specific health, social or educational needs and business and professional organizations.

This comprehensive new edition of U.S. Army Survival Manual, issued by the Department of the Army and thoroughly revised by Colonel Peter T. Underwood USMC (Ret), is ideal for military personnel and all outdoors enthusiasts. From the psychology of survival and basic medicine to personal camouflage and signaling techniques, this essential resource provides all the information you need to survive. Included here is a guide to identifying: - Poisonous snakes and lizards - Edible plants - Cloud formations as foretellers of weather - And more! With detailed photographs and illustrations and an extensive set of appendices, U.S. Army Survival Manual is your ultimate guide to survival in all conditions and environs.

Stop the Killing offers insight into what each of us can do to end the active shooter crisis plaguing America. Written by the former head of the FBI's active shooter program, Katherine Schweit, shares an insider look at what we've learned, and failed to learn, about protecting our businesses, houses of worship, and schools. The book demystifies the language around active shooters, mass killings, threat assessment teams, and more. Never gathered before into one place, readers gain access to evidence-based research and the most up-to-date information as they travel step-by-step through shooting prevention efforts and shooting aftermaths. Beginning with an understanding of how to spot potential shooters, readers learn the many ways to prevent shootings and the role threat assessment teams play. Threat assessment experts provide insight on what kind of information they need, and how they use it to intercept a person on a pathway to violence. The book guides readers through the process of assessing building security weaknesses and shows how to find vulnerabilities in people, programs, and policies. Packed with practical advice for training every age, from preschoolers, to elementary school children, to adults, the book also includes the author's own teaching outline on how to train people to run, hide, fight. The book gathers together examples to help build individualized emergency operations plans and shows how to tap vast government resources to cover costs to your office and employees, districts and students, and survivors and victim's families. Hear sober advice gathered from those who have survived and responded to shootings at Columbine High School, Virginia Tech, Sandy Hook Elementary School, the Aurora theater, Los Angeles International Airport, and more. Their common theme is that it can happen anywhere and has. All the more reason to accept that as each of us better understand what happens and how to prevent it, we can be the ones to stop the killing.