#OptOutside is a movement started by REI that encourages people to opt for outdoor adventures in lieu of Black Friday shopping. Find more on the mindset of #OptOutside and how to incorporate it into your daily life.

Do you have an "I love Three Rivers Parks" story? Whether you find peace on a wooded trail or inspiration in a nature center, learn how these beautiful natural spaces and the amenities and experiences within them are possible.

Our clocks have fallen back and the daylight hours are getting fewer and fewer. Here are a few ways to beat the seasonal blues.

With more than 27,000 acres of land, visitors and staff see changes every day in our parks and on our trails. Much of what our staff has noticed has been a transformation in our weather and climate. Join the conversation.

Light can make or break your photography, especially when you're outdoors. Read on to learn five tips for getting the right light in your photos, then show us what you've got!

Northern red oak trees are one of the most common trees in our area. Learn more than you ever knew you wanted to know about northern red oaks in this not-quite-comprehensive-but-pretty-close post. 

What do trumpeter swans, regal fritillary butterflies and bullsnakes have in common? All were reintroduced into Three Rivers parks. Read about what goes into reintroducing a species and discover what others were successfully reintroduced — some might surprise you!

Making apple cider is an annual tradition at Eastman Nature Center, and it is a tradition that goes back thousands of years. Even though hard cider was the drink of choice early in American history, people hardly drink apple cider today, and hard cider is only recently making a resurgence. Why did cider disappear, and how did this affect our parks? 

The greens of spring and summer have faded and fall's color show is taking their place. Why and how does this rainbow of color appear each year?

From pumpkin pie to pumpkin carving to giant pumpkin contests to the (infamous?) pumpkin spice latte and even pumpkin-flavored wheat ale, pumpkins are a favorite fall crop with a rich history.