Animals are awesome. Not only are they cute and furry, but interacting with four-legged creatures has major health benefits. Just petting a dog can reduce levels of the stress hormone cortisol. Interactions between people and animals can boost levels of oxytocin, the same feel good hormone that鈥檚 present in mothers bonding with their babies.

Not all of us can take care of a pet 24/7, but we still long for interaction with them. That’s why these resorts and sanctuaries that help save animals are so magical鈥攖hey want you to come hang out with them.

These are my five favorites where you can interact with different species, from alpacas to kittens, in serene settings, helping to further the cause of animal rescue while boosting your own spirits.

1. Ojo Santa Fe

Santa Fe, New Mexico

Puppy Patch might be the happiest two words in the English language, and you can visit this wonderful place at , a full-service spa and resort on 77 acres, located 15 miles southwest of downtown Santa Fe, New Mexico. In addition to early-morning yoga and thermal-pool soaks, Ojo partners with Espanola Humane, a local animal shelter, to foster rescue puppies, and you can frolic with them in the resort鈥檚 grassy Puppy Patch (open daily from 9:30-11 A.M. and 5-6 P.M.). All of the puppies are up for adoption.

Ojo is also home to a flock of silkie chickens, a breed of hen that is known to be particularly soft and playful. The resort hosts a daily Chicken Chat in the outdoor coop, where you can learn about the birds and feed them fresh greens and veggies. Rumor has it that the chickens actually purr like cats when you pet them.

The 77-acre property also offers some solid high-desert hiking, with two miles of trails traversing arroyos and rock outcroppings while delivering views of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains (overnight start at $298).

2. Red Robin Song Sanctuary and Guest House

New Lebanon, New York

You don鈥檛 know charisma until a 700-pound pig sidles up to snort hello. That鈥檚 what happens at , a rescue outfit for domestic and farm animals on 85 acres bordering the Berkshire Mountains of upstate New York. Red Robin Song鈥檚 impressive array of 鈥済uests 鈥� also includes yaks, rabbits, goats, a donkey, and a mini horse.

鈥淢ost people have never seen animals like these in person before,鈥� says Red Robin鈥檚 founder, Lisa Robinson. 鈥淲e rehabilitated orphan beavers for a while. So many animals need to be rescued and need a forever home.鈥�

Currently, Red Robin houses almost 50 different animals. Guests to the farm get a full tour that includes education about the drawbacks of a meat-based diet and commercial animal farming, while also spending time with many of the friends on site.

鈥淵ou get a chance to meet the animals you might normally eat,鈥� Robinson says. 鈥淎nd we respect the animals and the kind of interaction they want.鈥�

For instance, some rabbits are skittish and only want to be admired from afar, and a few Tibetan yaks that were rescued from a meat farm aren鈥檛 quite ready to mingle with guests. But the goats are super social and many of the dogs are psyched to hike with you on the sanctuary鈥檚 85-acre property.

Visitors can come for the day or stay overnight at the , a three-room vegan bed and breakfast (from $162 a night), where proceeds directly support the rescue endeavor. In addition to the property鈥檚 immediate 85 acres of ponds, pastures, and woods, the adjacent 447-acre offers more than two miles of hiking trails.

3. Atlanta Alpaca Treehouse

Atlanta, Georgia

The packs a mighty punch in a small space. The property, which sits in East Atlanta in the midst of the South鈥檚 largest city, is only 3.5 acres, but it鈥檚 loaded with four alpacas, four llamas, and two guanacos. (A guanaco is a South American camelid similar to a llama, but typically only found in the wild.) All of the animals were rescued and on hand to interact with guests at the property鈥檚 treehouse, made from reclaimed wood and tucked into a lush bamboo forest.

鈥淲e started with chickens, and they were the gateway livestock to these other animals,鈥� says Kara O鈥橞rien, owner of the Alpaca Treehouse. 鈥淟lamas and alpacas are so smart. They鈥檙e just under dolphin intelligence. They communicate clearly with me and each other. They鈥檙e like big, teenaged smart cats. They鈥檙e hilarious. Each has radically different personalities.鈥�

Stay at the treehouse and you can watch the herd of llamas and alpacas from your window, feed them baby carrots out of your hand, or take a yoga class with them. 鈥淥ne of our llamas, Figgy, actually goes into the yoga room and does yoga. She鈥檚 obsessed with it,鈥� O鈥橞rien says.

All of the proceeds from the one-bed Treehouse (from $385 per night) go to rescue more llamas, which O鈥橞rien then works to place in permanent homes.

4. Best Friends Animal Sanctuary

Kanab, Utah

in Kanab, Utah, is the largest no-kill sanctuary in the country, housing more than 1,600 animals, ranging from cats to parrots to pigs, on a 3,000-acre property in Utah鈥檚 canyon country 45 minutes south of Zion National Park. Visitors can take the free daily Grand Sanctuary tour to learn about the ins and outs of caring for and rehabilitating the animals, or download the to go on a self-guided tour. You can also volunteer to work in one of the care centers, hanging out with cats, picking up after bunnies, or tending to pigs.

If you feel a connection with a particular dog, you can even schedule a hike together on the sanctuary鈥檚 three miles of trails, which traverse red rock canyons and creeks, where you鈥檒l find overlooks, Pueblo ruins, and a cave filled with water on adjacent BLM land. A stream runs through the property, making for a fun and splashy adventure.

The sanctuary has a welcome center, cafe, and store, and a variety of overnight lodging if you want to spend more than an afternoon. is a 40-room hotel in downtown Kanab with a fenced-in dog park, splash zone, and slide-out pet beds (rooms from $133), and the sanctuary just updated its 18 on-property (from $61 a night).

If you score a room or RV site, you can even host a sleepover, giving a dog or cat a night away from communal living and you an opportunity to see if you鈥檙e compatible for full-time adoption. Proceeds from lodging help support the rescue mission.

5. Animal Place

Grass Valley, California

This 600-acre sanctuary in Grass Valley, California, which focuses mostly on farm animals, has rescued or re-homed almost 30,000 hens alone, not to mention numerous roosters, goats, turkeys, pigs, dogs, and even pigeons. Currently, more than 300 farm animals live at , which sits in the Sierra Nevada foothills in an area that鈥檚 most famous for its gold-mining history.

Guests can take a guided 1.5-hour tour of the facility ($20 donation, in advance) to learn more about the animals and the rescue process, while also spending time with some of the more social residents, like goats, sheep, bunnies, and pigs. Drop-in visitors can embark on a self-guided tour of the sanctuary on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 A.M. to 4 P.M. (but that does not allow contact with the animals). Keep an eye out for special events, like a Paint 鈥檔鈥� Sip, where you drink bubbly and paint one of the cute farm animals.

Animal Place runs a with enough bedrooms to host six to 10 people for stays up to a week. It鈥檚 a single-family home with three bedrooms and a central kitchen and living room. You can rent it by the bedroom (from $75 a night) or the entire house ($750 a night). Each stay comes with a free 30-minute tour where you鈥檒l meet up to two species of animals. The guest house is currently being renovated, but is expected to be open for bookings in October.

6. Golden Dog Farm

Jeffersonville, Vermont

is not an animal rescue, and has no overnight option, but if you like hanging out with adorable dogs in a beautiful setting, put this small farm on your list. The place is a family-owned maple-syrup facility (also producing honey and fruits) in Vermont鈥檚 Green Mountains 10 miles from Stowe Mountain Resort.

If you book a visit in advance at Golden Dog Farm, you can interact with the dogs. Yes, the dogs are popular and you need a reservation. There are two options; sign up for the Golden Retriever Experience ($80), which is essentially a playdate with at least 10 doggy cuties in a pasture on the farm where you can play ball, frolic, or just snuggle (while getting your share of social-media images).

Or book a slot for the Friday and Saturday night Wines and Wags, where a Master Sommelier discusses grape growing in Vermont while guests sample local wines鈥攁nd then you get to play with the dogs. Yes!

Graham Averill is 国产吃瓜黑料 magazine鈥檚 national-parks columnist. The best part of his day is walking his own rescue dog every morning.

For more by Graham Averill, see:

The 10 Best Bike Towns in America, Ranked

8 Surf Towns Where You Can Learn the Sport and the Culture

The Best Ways to Get 国产吃瓜黑料 in West Virginia

The 10 Best National Parks in Canada

The post You Can Stay On Site at These Animal Sanctuaries appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

An intrepid spirit is all a good adventure dog truly needs鈥攂ut having the right gear can help pups and their guardians enjoy the journey. Canine hikers can鈥檛 always advocate for themselves, so we prioritized products that put safety, comfort, and function at the forefront. For all the joy they give us, our favorite companions deserve the best.

At a Glance

• How to Shop for Your Dog
• How We Test
• Meet Our Testers (and Pups)

All gear in this guide was tested by multiple reviewers. When you buy through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission. This supports our mission to get more people active and outside. Learn more.

NiteIze NiteHowl Max Rechargeable Safety Necklace – Disc-o Select

Sizes: One size (fits 12- to 27-inch neck diameter)

Pros and Cons
鈯� Great visibility at night
鈯� Rechargeable
鈯� Once you cut to size, there鈥檚 no adjustability

The best pet products give loving owners peace of mind, and this luminescent collar accomplishes that. Whether your dog likes to explore the campsite after dark or stroll the neighborhood before bed, the NiteHowl Max allows you and others to see your pet from a distance.

Whereas smaller collar lights might get lost in your dog鈥檚 fur or be invisible from certain angles, the NiteHowl Max鈥檚 wide band is designed to stay on top of especially fluffy fur, completely encircling your dog鈥檚 neck in colorful light. Set the light to one of three glowing colors, or turn on Disc-o mode if you want to get the campground party started. The 10-hour runtime was sufficient for weekend trips, and the light is rechargeable via micro USB.

The cut-to-fit band is durable, weather-resistant, and can accommodate dog necks from 12 to 27 inches in diameter. But if your pup is still growing, take note: Once it鈥檚 cut, the collar鈥檚 size can no longer be adjusted.

Orvis RecoveryZone Couch Dog Bed

Sizes: S, M, L, XL

Pros and Cons
鈯� Supportive, recovery-optimized foam
鈯� Pricey

After a long day exploring the mountains, your dog deserves a comfortable place to rest his head. Our pick for active and old pups: The RecoveryZone Couch Bed, boasting four inches of medium density solid foam topped by a 1-inch-thick Serene Foam layer to cradle weary joints and muscles so dogs can rehabilitate faster.

Bolsters on three sides give your pup a place to rest his head (it also comes in lounger style without bolsters), and a recycled polyester cover is easily removed for machine washing. Though it takes a while before it needs to be washed. 鈥淚 have a wet and often muddy dog, and dirt just fell off this bed,鈥� reported one tester.

When our furry tester tore his meniscus playing ball, the RecoveryZone provided the perfect landing pad while he healed from his third surgery.

Skida Dog Bandana

Sizes: S, M, L

Pros and Cons
鈯� Easily slides onto your dog鈥檚 collar
鈯� So cute
鈯� Can interfere with ID tags on your dog鈥檚 collar

Skida鈥檚 new line of dog bandanas brings the colorful prints the brand is known for to your pup, with a handful of dog-specific design features. With a channel sewn into the top of the bandana, the fabric slides right onto your dog鈥檚 collar, eliminating the need to tie it around their neck. A reflective, high visibility patch also adds a layer of safety when playing at night.

The quick-dry polyester fabric with a water-repellent finish stood up well to all varieties of puppy romping. 鈥淚t shed sand and water as my dog ran, rolled, and dug in a sandbar on Oregon鈥檚 Columbia River,鈥� said one tester. 鈥淓ven when she splashed after sticks the water-repellent coating held up, and the bandana was dry by the time we made it back to the car.鈥�

After weeks of continuous wear, it still hasn鈥檛 required a wash. Best of all, it comes in many of the same prints as Skida鈥檚 human hats, neck gaiters, bandanas, and headbands, so you and your best friend can match on your adventures.

Atlas Pet Company Lifetime Harness

Sizes: S, M, L (fits dogs 15 to 130 lbs)

Pros and Cons
鈯� Minimalist yet tough
鈯� Quick to fasten
鈯� Hair can collect on the nylon webbing
鈯� Harness doesn鈥檛 always sit centered

Atlas Pet Company鈥檚 simple, durable harness had a grip on every single tester. (Their dogs, who would rather have been cruising leashless, thought it was just OK.)

With its tough magnetic buckle and range of reflective colors, the Lifetime Harness pulled the most praise for its tug-discouraging design that loops around the torso and over the chest. 鈥淚t was super easy to use, and looks great, too,鈥� said one tester, noting that the lightweight, minimalist design saved her thick-coated dog from overheating (and cut down on uncomfortable rubbing points) on long hikes.

Testers liked that the sturdy nylon webbing was supple right out of the box and, combined with the ability to adjust all four straps on the harness, moved right along with their dog.

Ruffwear Trail Runner Dog Running Vest

Sizes: XS, S, M, L/XL (fits dogs with chest girth from 22 to 42鈥�)

Pros and Cons
鈯� Adds just enough control in a lightweight design
鈯� Testers with squirrely pups wished for a front leash connection for extra control

Ruffwear鈥檚 canine vest, with room for two included 500 milliliter water flasks (360 milliliters in the XS size) and a collapsible bowl (not included), saved human testers from carrying extra weight and made their dogs look like furry ultra-marathon competitors.

Those with less experienced pups praised the vest鈥檚 secure, highly-adjustable fit, which provided much-needed control when Fido spotted a bunny on one jaunt. (We do wish it also had a top handle for lifting our dogs in emergencies.) Breathable fabric kept dogs cool on hot days, and a loop to attach a light offered security for post-sunset runs. Neon colors are a bonus safety feature for those who like to take their jogs to the sidewalk, though testers who did more trail running would鈥檝e liked more color options.

The complete Trail Runner system鈥攕old separately鈥攊ncludes a stretchy leash and pared-down belt for humans, with space for a water flask, keys, and phone. 鈥淪uper comfy and functional,鈥� one regular trail runner said. 鈥淎 really excellent design.鈥�

White Duck Outdoors Dog Bed

Sizes: L (36鈥� x 27鈥� x 4鈥�), XL (40鈥� x 28鈥� x 4鈥�)

Pros and Cons
鈯� Roomy and sturdy
鈯� Two available sizes are too big for really small dogs

There was something about this humble bed that acted as a doggie tranquilizer. 鈥淢y dog has never been a big bed user, but as soon as this arrived, she curled up and took a nap,鈥� said one Washington-based tester.

Maybe it was the cushiness that also offered a little give鈥攃ourtesy of a polyester fiberfill that repurposes plastic bottles鈥攆or dogs who like to burrow. Dogs seemed to like the supportive cotton-polyester blend fabric, while humans appreciated the removable cover with its water-repellent coating for its grime- and claw-resistance. 鈥淥ne of the better beds for outdoor use,鈥� another tester reported.

Wilderdog Backpack

Sizes: S, M, L (fits dogs with chest girth from 17-34鈥�)

Pros and Cons
鈯� Roomy
鈯� Accommodates dogs of many sizes (even a Great Pyrenees)
鈯� Dogs may need time to get used to it before hitting the trail

Testers were jealous when their pals donned Wilderdog鈥檚 jewel-toned backpack, made of water-resistant cotton-poly fabric in four shades. 鈥淚t鈥檚 so pretty. The design and aesthetics are top-notch,鈥� a New Mexico-based tester said.

It鈥檚 got all the bells and whistles of a top-tier pack: velcro tabs to keep straps from dangling, a handle on top for emergency lifting, aesthetically pleasing patterned accents, and a poop bag dispenser.

But it鈥檚 what鈥檚 on the inside that impressed us the most: seemingly bottomless space. Testers managed to stuff all their pooches鈥� backcountry needs within: kibble, treats, collapsible bowls, several water bottles, and layers for chilly nights. Despite its size, testers reported no slippage or awkwardness thanks to four easy-to-dial-in adjustment points.

Wilderdog Sleeping Bag

Sizes: One size, 36鈥� x 28鈥� when zipped shut

Pros and Cons
鈯� Lighter, warmer, and less pricey than competitors
鈯� Stands up to even the stinkiest of dogs
鈯� Just one size (won鈥檛 fit large dogs)

We would do anything for our dogs, but we simply refuse to share a sleeping bag with them after they鈥檝e spent a long day hiking, crossing creeks, and rolling in suspicious substances. But testers were pretty sure their pals didn鈥檛 mind snoozing solo when they rolled out Wilderdog鈥檚 bag.

This cocoon is stuffed with synthetic fill to a pleasingly chunky thickness, and with a cozy, quick-drying cotton lining, our California-based tester confirmed her dog was 鈥渟nug as a bug鈥� within. Its hefty water-resistant polyester outer makes it a no-brainer to lay out as a campsite resting pad too. (Our Great Pyrenees tester was too big to get inside, but happily lied on top.)

At 1 pound 13 ounces, it鈥檚 certainly not for ultralight hikers, but it鈥檚 lighter than other brands鈥� more expensive offerings and rolls down to the size of a large loaf of bread in its included stuff sack. For the peace of mind that our dogs weren鈥檛 shivering all night in alpine environments, we found it more than worth any extra pack space.

OllyDog Flyer Disc

Sizes: One size, 8.25鈥� diameter

Pros and Cons
鈯� Packable without sacrificing a satisfying glide
鈯� Your dog might want about 50 of them

Dogs love a classic frisbee for a reason: it catches some sick air so they can live out their Air Bud fantasies. But the discs鈥� rigid materials aren鈥檛 very packable and can be hard on dogs鈥� teeth over time. Softer discs are usually weaker fliers, but not so for the OllyDog Flyer Disc, our testers reported.

The lightweight and packable circle comes in 11 colors and is easier on the gums after repeated chomps and games of tug-of-war. Constructed of repurposed plastic bottles, it floats on water for dogs who like to do a good lake leap.

And it may be soft, but it鈥檚 durable: 鈥淚t鈥檚 holding up impressively considering the abuse it gets,鈥� says one tester. Two New Mexico-based testers said it 鈥渇lew very well鈥� and let our dogs 鈥渓eap high in the air.鈥� Just like Air Bud would have wanted.

How to Shop for Your Dog

Before you go on a dog gear spree, grab a tape measure and jot down these key numbers for your pal: weight, length from neck to the base of the tail, neck circumference so you can still insert two fingers鈥� width under the tape, and circumference of the widest part of the chest. Sizing varies widely among canine brands so you鈥檒l always want to vet your choices alongside actual measurements.

A lot of the rest is highly individualized. Ask yourself about your dog鈥檚 unique needs and pain points. Has your dog yet to master the art of walking normally on a leash? Look for harnesses with the option to leash on the front of the chest, which offers more control. Do they love getting in the water or the mud? Water-resistant and quick-drying materials are your friend. A lot of dog gear is made of polyester or a blend, so you鈥檒l want to read the description to make sure a water-repellent coating or waterproof outer is included.

For leashes and collars, fastening points are key: Do you find the leash clip or collar buckle easy to use and secure? We鈥檝e found that leash clips sometimes play better with certain leashes and harnesses (and the rare few come unclipped!), so give new combos a test run in an enclosed space.

For new harnesses or backpacks, pay attention to potential irritation spots; we鈥檝e found that a harness with too much material near the armpits is a no-no for a lot of dogs.

Along with the right sizing, designs with multiple attachment points should also help avoid slipping and rubbing. A good dog pack should have those points at the neck, chest, and belly.

If there鈥檚 one thing all our testers took from the process, though, it鈥檚 that good poop bag holders and dispensers are worth their weight in gold. If you find a poop bag holder design that you love (or, say, a backpack that comes with one built in), grab it and never look back.

How We Test

• Number of products tested: 15
• Number of canine testers: 4
• Breeds represented: 4
• Ages of dogs: 11 months to 8 years
• Miles hiked: 400+
• Nights spent camping: 24

Our test focused on products that would help adventurous dog owners and their best friends enjoy nature together, from essentials like leashes and harnesses to accessories like trail booties and car seat covers. In order to choose our favorite pet products, our canine testers and their owners took to the parks, trails, lakes, and campgrounds and played hard.

Dogs are great durability testers鈥攖hey roll, dig, chew, zoom, splash, jump, and nap more in a day than their human counterparts can fathom. Any product that broke, appeared to make our pets uncomfortable, was ill-fitting, or failed to prioritize safety was eliminated from the test. Items that offered peace of mind, held up to hard use, and maximized fun got the final tail-wag of approval.

Meet the Testers

is a senior editor at Backpacker where she specializes in skills and survival stories. An avid hiker, skier, and mountain biker, Zoe has recreated across the U.S. and beyond, often with Juno, her three-year-old border collie mix, by her side.

is a writer and contributing editor at听翱耻迟蝉颈诲别听magazine. She lives in Seattle, Washington, with her partner and an Australian cattle dog-Chihuahua-pug mix named Henry who looks like the dog a child would draw if you asked them to draw a dog. Henry has an esteemed history of testing for听国产吃瓜黑料 Gear Guides and most loves doing zoomies at the park or splashing in backcountry streams.

Meet the Pups

Lilo is a one-year-old golden retriever. She loves chasing balls and swimming near her home in Portland, Oregon. She frequently gets the zoomies at every campsite she visits. Her favorite treat is cheese sticks.

Juno is a three-year-old border collie mix who is happiest chasing a mountain bike or sniffing wildflowers along the trails near Bellingham, Washington. She loves her human friends more than anything, especially if they鈥檙e throwing a frisbee.

Moose is a two-year-old chocolate lab who lives to chase leaves and sticks while hiking near Washington, D.C. But nothing gets his tail wagging like a delicious bone treat!

Murphy is an eight-year-old lab who loves hiking, canoeing, and paddle boarding around Maine and New Hampshire. He has had three knee surgeries which allow him to keep doing the fun outdoor activities that he loves.

The post The Best Outdoor Gear for Your Four-Legged Trail Buddies appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

Singer-songwriter David Lindes found his way into running with help from the most unexpected teacher: a bull moose. Growing up in Guatemala David had learned to ignore his body. Thanks to beatings by his adults, his body was a source of pain, and not much else. So he didn鈥檛 play sports, he didn鈥檛 dance, he found out later he wasn鈥檛 even walking correctly. But as an adult, as he started to heal, he began to learn about his body. What it could do, how good it could feel to run and hike through the canyons near his home. Then, one day, he encountered a family of moose. And they put his newfound trust in his body to the test.

The post Wild Animals Taught Me to鈥� Run! appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

boasts a newly renovated bathroom and kitchen, easy access to the Appalachian Trail, and a private patio that looks out onto the forests of Garrison, just an hour and change north of New York City. But the Airbnb鈥檚 most popular amenity may just be an orange cat named Cinamen who loves to hike with guests.

Cinamen went viral earlier this month after . 鈥淲ent with my partner upstate and the AirbnB host鈥檚 cat took us for a guided hike along the ,鈥� wrote Cocioba alongside photos of Cinamen stalking through the moss, sitting on Cocioba鈥檚 chest during a break, and perching on the edge of a puddle. 鈥淎pparently this is what she does with every guest. She would complain when we took a wrong turn off the trail and knew the way back. Amazing cat. Would apocalypse with.鈥� The post went viral; as of the time of writing, it has been viewed more than 1.6 million times.

While Cinamen鈥攁ctually male, owner Trisha Mulligan says鈥攎ay be new to the internet, he鈥檚 not new to the trail by any means. A quick scan of Foxglove Farm鈥檚 reviews turns up more than a dozen mentions of the cat: 鈥淲e were thrilled to have her sweet kitty [Cinamen] walk with us on the trail for a bit so we got to check off hiking with a cat from our bucket list,鈥� one guest wrote. 鈥淲e had an amazing time with [Cinamen] who went on a hike with us, coolest cat on earth,鈥� wrote another. 鈥淸Cinamen], the cat, accompanied us on the hike and was a reliable tour guide,鈥� a third noted.

At times she judged the crap out of us for being too slow. I got a camera roll full of judgement, lololol

鈥� Sebastian S. Cocioba (@ATinyGreenCell)

鈥淚 call him the concierge, because he just loves people,鈥� Mulligan says. 鈥淵ou know, each color, they have different personalities. And there鈥檚 something about an orange cat that鈥檚 very social, and we have a very social cat.鈥�

Mulligan, an herbalist and ethnobotanist, has lived in Garrison in a house above the apartment she rents on Airbnb, for 鈥渁bout 10 years鈥� since moving there from Brooklyn with her family. Cinamen came into the picture 8 years ago when she adopted him and his sibling as kittens from an animal shelter. Although his littermate has since passed, Cinamen thrived as an outdoor cat in Garrison鈥檚 woods, hanging out with Mulligan in the garden or following her or her children onto the Appalachian Trail via a roughly 100-yard path over a laurel-covered ridge that Mulligan through her property. Other adventure cat owners have had to put a lot of time into training and acclimating their cats to the outdoors, but Cinamen took to it naturally, Mulligan says.

鈥淲hen we鈥檙e going out of our house, he follows me,鈥� she says. 鈥淵ou know, like, when you鈥檙e gardening and your cat jumps on your back? He鈥檚 always with me when I鈥檓 in the garden, which I love.鈥�

Most of Mulligan鈥檚 guests seem to agree; some, she says, come back repeatedly just to visit the cat.

鈥淭here鈥檚 this one guy, this Russian guy who comes back regularly. He never leaves reviews, but he always sends me pictures鈥攈e鈥檚 a photographer鈥攁nd he books because he wants to be with Cinamen and he wants to do the trail with Cinamen,鈥� she says. 鈥淚鈥檝e had other people say, 鈥極h my God, we were hiking and lost, but Cinamen wouldn鈥檛 let us get lost.鈥欌€� (Downside: If you鈥檙e hoping for Cinamen to join your tramily, you may be out of luck. While Mulligan says that Cinamen sometimes stays out long enough with hiking guests to worry her, he rarely spends the night outside.)

Cats, of course, aren鈥檛 known for their consistency, so if you鈥檙e thinking of booking a stay at Foxglove, it鈥檚 worth mentioning that there鈥檚 no money-back guarantee Cinamen will be interested in your hiking plans; one reviewer noted that she was 鈥渏ealous of other guests who got to meet a cat.鈥� But overall, your chances are pretty good鈥攁s long as you鈥檙e willing to respect his pace.

鈥淚 tell people, he鈥檚 gonna slow you down because he鈥檚 gotta look at stuff and he鈥檚 gotta pose,鈥� Mulligan says. 鈥淚鈥檝e had people that are hiking that really do slow down and be with him, which is kind of my thing.鈥�

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We think of New York as having a rat problem, but cats are doing just as much damage. They hunt staggering numbers of birds, they carry parasites that cause birth defects, they spread diseases that wash into the ocean and kill sea otters and seals. NYC鈥檚 cat population is exploding. Reporter Meg Duff investigates what, if anything, might be done about that.

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In a scene straight out of Crocodile Dundee,听Australian cattle rancher听Colin Deveraux, survived an attack from a ten-foot long saltwater crocodile in mid-October. The story was first reported by ABC Australia. Deveraux, who is in his mid-sixties,听spent a month in Royal Darwin Hospital and told local media that he鈥檚 lucky to be alive. The key to surviving his attack? Deveraux bit the croc on its eyelid.

鈥淚 managed to have a bite,鈥� he said.

Deveraux was on his way to fence some land by the Finniss River south of Darwin, Australia, when he stopped beside a billabong鈥攁n Aussie name for an oxbow lake. 鈥淭he water had receded and it was down to this dirty water in the middle. I took two steps and the dirty bastard [the crocodile] latched onto my right foot,鈥澨齢e told ABC News Australia.

Deveraux said the crocodile shook him like a rag doll听and attempted to pull him into the water. He tried to kick the reptile in its ribs with his free foot. When that didn鈥檛 work, he used his teeth and bit it back.

鈥淚 was in such an awkward position,鈥� said Deveraux, 鈥渂y accident my teeth caught his eyelid. It was pretty thick, like holding onto leather, but I jerked back on his eyelid and he let go.鈥�

Freed from disaster, Deveraux ran to his car with the crocodile chasing behind him, but the croc gave up after about 15 feet. The whole attack, Deveraux guessed, lasted about eight seconds.

He used a towel and a rope to stop the bleeding, and his brother drove him 80 miles to the nearest hospital, where he continues to receive treatment. Deveraux said the biggest problem the doctors encountered was clearing all the bacteria from the billabong out of his wound. The pond water was filled with mud and animal feces, and puncture wounds are notoriously difficult to clean. 鈥淚t [my foot and leg] was opened up bad and over ten days in a row, I think, they had to flush it,鈥� said Deveraux.

Crocodile attacks are uncommon in Australia, but there have been several incidents in recent months. A man in Queensland when he was bitten from behind by a juvenile crocodile. The croc bit him in the head, but the man was able to reach back and lever its jaws open far enough that he was able to escape.

Earlier in May of this year, Australian authorities found the remains of inside a 13-foot crocodile on the nearby Kennedy River.

Deveraux is not the first Australian to use an innovative method to escape a crocodile. Val Plumwood survived a harrowing crocodile attack in Australia鈥檚 Kakadu National Park in 1985 by anticipating the animal鈥檚 so-called 鈥渄eath roll.鈥� The National Museum Australia shared the events in a thrilling essay which you can

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Spiders and other hairy scary critters are everywhere. It鈥檚 best鈥攆or us and the planet鈥攊f we can figure out how to coexist. Backpacker executive editor and devoted spider enthusiast Adam Roy wants to teach you how to do just that. In this episode, he takes our arachnophobic producer Maren Larsen on a journey to go from being a spider killer to a spider watcher, where she will stare directly into the eight beady eyes of her greatest fear.

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It鈥檚 high noon in Santa Clarita when I bury my face into the side of a cow, who is lying on the ground. His fur is rich brown, the color of fertile soil, and it鈥檚 silkier than I expected. I nuzzle my cheek against the animal and breathe deep. He smells sweet, like fresh hay, and musky. When I open my arms wide and grip the cow in an embrace, he shifts slightly, then eases into the weight of my body. He鈥檚 holding me as much as I鈥檓 holding him.

This is cow hugging therapy, one of several animal-assisted therapies offered by the , an animal sanctuary with locations in Southern California, Tennessee, and Missouri.

I realize this sounds like a joke. ( It was udderly ridiculous how many punny text messages my friends sent about this.) But I arrived at cow hugging from a sincere place鈥攊t might seem like a strange place to arrive for therapy, but after spending the past few years in a wrestling match with my own wellbeing, I was willing to try anything.

It started when I awoke in the middle of the night, my skin clammy and slick with cold sweat. My left arm was numb. My chest felt tight, as if someone was squeezing me in a bear hug I didn鈥檛 want. Since I have a family history of heart disease, I drove myself directly to the ER, where I was admitted for having a possible cardiac event. Two days, many scans, and a massive hospital bill later, doctors couldn鈥檛 find a single thing wrong with my heart.

But if that wasn鈥檛 a heart attack, why was my heart beating so wildly? I wondered. Why did I want to pop out of my skin?

Nobody at the hospital ever broached the topic of mental health. It was my friends鈥攖hose who have grappled with panic attacks themselves鈥攚ho suggested that anxiety might be the root of my problem.

I鈥檝e probably always struggled with some level of anxiety, but I can say with certainty that the pandemic鈥攁nd the related loss and grief鈥攅xacerbated it. So ever since I ended up at the ER, I鈥檝e done my best to manage with meditation, yoga, journaling, medication, and talking to my doctor, but there鈥檚 still a low, anxious thrum that vibrates through me. That鈥檚 what I鈥檓 trying to squelch.

Now I press my chest against a cow named Mercy. He鈥檚 massive, which should be intimidating, but his sturdiness offers stability and comfort. He immediately licks my hand and nuzzles his snout on my hip. I think he chews on my sweatshirt a little.

As I hug Mercy, my right ear presses against his side, and I can hear his heartbeat, which is slower than my own. Generally, my resting heart rate is around 70 bpm, but a cow’s heart rate ranges from 48 to 84. After a moment, my pulse slows to meet Mercy鈥檚. The muscle inside my chest beats rhythmic, steady, I鈥檇 even say relaxed.

For the first time in recent memory, I am calm.

Saving Animals, Saving People

My guide to cow hugging is Ellie Laks, the founder of the Gentle Barn, which she opened in 1999. (She鈥檚 married to co-founder Jay Weiner, who serves as president of the nonprofit.)

The six-acre property is located about 40 minutes outside of Los Angeles, surrounded by picturesque mountains and rolling green foothills dotted with farms. The Gentle Barn is home to an array of rehabilitated animals, like horses, goats, pigs, and turkeys, and it鈥檚 open to the public on Sundays, though reservations are necessary.

Before my hugging session began, Laks walked me through the spacious cow enclosure and introduced me to each animal. I had already met Mercy, who was rescued from a veal crate at a Texas cattle ranch. But there鈥檚 also Athena, a shy, black bovine with fuzzy ears, a rescue from a backyard butchery that was eventually shut down by animal control. Nudging an oversized playground ball around the yard was Faith, a dairy cow who went blind due to untreated conjunctivitis that she contracted before coming to live at the Gentle Barn. When Faith first arrived, she couldn鈥檛 walk in a straight line, she only turned around in circles.

鈥淭his has always been the heart of what we do,鈥� Laks says. 鈥淲e save the animals, and then the animals save us.鈥�

Animals actually trigger a chemical reaction in humans, says psychologist Veronica Hlivnenko, a holistic health counselor at InPulse. 鈥淭actile interaction with animals induces the production of oxytocin鈥攖he chemical that promotes soothing effects, thanks to its anxiolytic properties and ability to reduce the body’s cortisol response to stress,鈥� she says. 鈥淥xytocin acts like a neurotransmitter, meaning that when you鈥榬e petting an animal, it messengers the brain to decrease the release of cortisol, alleviating the symptoms of stress and anxiety, promoting calmness and relaxation, and inducing a sense of safety and comfort.鈥�

Oxytocin is also known as the 鈥渉ugging鈥� or 鈥渃uddling鈥� hormone, and our brain associates it with things like a loving touch and meaningful relationships. The production of this chemical inspires long-lasting positive emotional responses, which boosts our pleasure, joy, and sense of reward. All of this leads to greater levels of happiness and contentment.

As part of its mission, the Gentle Barn works with organizations for inner-city or at-risk youth, and children with special needs. That鈥檚 why a significant part of the animal-assisted therapy program is rooted in sharing the animals鈥� stories of abuse, neglect, abandonment, loneliness, and recovery.

鈥淭o know that these animals also carry their own stories of resilience, it makes people feel less alone,鈥� Laks says. 鈥淵ou know that if this animal can survive horrific conditions and thrive, so can you.

鈥淢any of these kids aren鈥檛 going to sit on a couch and talk to someone about their feelings, their experiences, or their trauma. But something magical happens when an animal holds you with their warmth and nurturing. It鈥檚 like a big mom hug.鈥�

Holy Cow

After cuddling Mercy, I spend time with Holy Cow, who arrived at the Gentle Barn as a sickly dairy calf with significant spinal injuries. Now rehabilitated through chiropractic and veterinary treatments, this affectionate cow serves as the matriarch for the makeshift clan.

Cradling Holy Cow in the warmth of the afternoon sun, my constant thrum of worry seems to dissipate, like soap bubbles popping. I don鈥檛 totally understand why this is working for me or why it feels like the most peaceful meditation I鈥檝e ever done, but Laks has a few ideas.

鈥淐ow hugging therapy has been especially instrumental in coping with grief,鈥� Laks says. 鈥淭raditional therapy works by talking about your feelings. But there鈥檚 nothing to talk about with grief that allows it to be processed. It鈥檚 simply pain. So it鈥檚 helpful to be in a place where no words are needed, where you鈥檙e just open and emotionally connecting to another being.鈥�

This is another way that animals help us, Hlivnenko says. They foster mindfulness and improve our own sense of meaningfulness. 鈥淭he calming and soothing effect of petting an animal can bring your mind into a meditative state, promoting contemplation, consciousness, and reflection,鈥� she says. 鈥淏esides, animals encourage us to be our authentic selves, thus deepening our self-awareness and appreciation.鈥�

In the wake of COVID, Laks opened the Gentle Barn鈥檚 animal-assisted therapies to make them more accessible to adults and the general public. That means these programs are no longer exclusively for underserved youth; anyone seeking a session can make a donation and spend time with the animals.

鈥淎s a society, I believe we haven鈥檛 even begun to scratch the surface of our grief and trauma from what we鈥檝e just gone through. We don鈥檛 have the words yet,鈥� she said. 鈥淏ut connecting with these gentle giants, it helps.鈥�

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I spend way too much time worrying about bears.

My anxiety has nothing to do with actually encountering one. I live in the Denver suburbs and am about 100,000 times more likely to be ambushed and eaten by a pack of schnauzers than by a hungry bruin. No, I fear for the safety and wellbeing of the bears themselves, because I read the steady march of tragic bear stories that pop up almost every day.

Bear-human relations have suffered multiple setbacks over the last month. In Telluride, Colorado, parks officials recently a sick male black bear, and a necropsy revealed the animal鈥檚 intestines were plugged with paper towels, disinfectant wipes, napkins, and plastic. It had probably transformed someone鈥檚 unattended trash can into an all-you-can-eat buffet. In British Columbia this past Saturday, September 16, officials a mama bear and her two cubs after they attacked a woman walking her dogs. Last week in Montana, a hunter named Rudy Noorlander a horrifying grizzly attack鈥攖he animal tore his jaw off before escaping into the forest. The encounter occurred not far from a back in July, which prompted Montana officials they believe was responsible.

Here at 国产吃瓜黑料, we discuss these sad bear stories in our daily news meeting, and we often bring up the dynamics that lead to unfortunate bear news. There鈥檚 been plenty of smart reporting and research on the topic. The wildland-urban interface , as neighborhoods and condo developments into bear territory. The surge in backcountry recreation means are venturing into their habitat than ever before. Climate change and pollution , forcing bears to rely on trash and leftovers. Some campers are careless. So are some homeowners. And who can ignore at Yellowstone National Park?

Yes鈥攚e鈥檙e to blame for the bear-human encounters.听Sometimes I wonder if鈥攁s my colleagues at听Backpacker 鈥攖he bears are simply sick of our shit, and have teamed up with moose, cougars, , and to pester humankind whenever they can.

Luckily, there is a cure to my anxiety: the far-less-frequent stories of whimsical encounters between mankind and Ursidae. You likely know the content I鈥檓 referencing: bears on playground equipment; bears听and of course, bears from gas stations. And lucky for me, this year has produced more than a few photographs, videos, and reports of bruins having a good ol鈥� time with human infrastructure.

I am here to present the Most Whimsical Bears of 2023鈥攖hus far.

Disney World鈥檚 Hairiest Visitor

A female black bear went to Disney World on Monday, September 18. Can you blame her? , late September is one of the best times to check out the Orlando-area theme park, due to the shorter lines and comparatively low probability a hurricane making landfall. It鈥檚 no surprise why a bruin would venture into the park: Florida black bears after the population dwindled to just 300 individuals in the 1970s. And Disney World is. The bear in question, however, spent most of its time within the park sitting in a tree. According to NBC News, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission captured the bear in the tree and relocated it. But not before Disney officials had to close several park areas, including Big Thunder, Mountain Railroad, A Pirate鈥檚 国产吃瓜黑料, and alas, even the Hall of Presidents. Nobody knows whether the bear attempted to enter the latter attraction to view the animatronic Theodore Roosevelt.听

Alaskan Doughnut Bandits

Two Alaskan black bears will be telling their grandcubs of this impressive score for years to come. Last week the two raided a van that was delivering Krispy Kreme doughnuts to a convenience store located on a military base. , the driver left the van door open when he stopped by the store, and returned to find a mama bear and her cub devouring the glazed treats inside the vehicle. The driver and others banged on the side of the van in an attempt to shoo them away, but the bears just kept on gorging themselves on the sweet treats. 鈥淚 could hear them breaking open the packages and everything,鈥� the store鈥檚 manager, Shelly Deano, told the AP. 鈥淚 was like, 鈥楾hey don’t even care.鈥欌€�

Eventually, someone pulled an alarm at the store, and the noise scared the animals off into the woods. But not before they pulled the greatest food heist of all time听for Alaskan bears.

Colorado Selfie Bear

The year started with a charming bear story in my home state. A wildlife camera stationed on a hill outside Boulder, Colorado, in November, 2022, and city officials published the images in January. The photos show a black bear that appeared to try out different poses for the camera. Of course we鈥檙e all familiar with the grainy black-and-white images of deer and cougars and squirrels snapped by wildlife cameras. Usually, these motion-activated devices capture a picture of an animal as it is passing from point A to point B. That wasn鈥檛 the case with this animal, which of course the internet dubbed 鈥渟elfie bear.鈥� It spent quite a long time in front of the camera. Of the 580 pictures taken that night, 400 of them were of the bear in question. And he (or she) tried out various poses鈥攎uch as you likely did before uploading your profile picture听to Instagram.

The Tripod of Magnolia Plantation

Shout-out to Christine Hauser at听The New York Times for of a three-legged black bear living near a gated community of patio homes outside of Orlando. The locals in Magnolia Plantation鈥攖he sub-development in question鈥攈ave dubbed the bruin 鈥淭ripod,鈥� and treat it like a neighborhood stray cat. They snap photos of it, post about it on Facebook, and regale each other with stories of its mischief. One source, Josuary Faneite-Diglio, said Tripod rummaged in her garage and scored a find that any college kid would appreciate: a case of mango and strawberry White Claw. The story鈥檚 money quote comes from a man appropriately named Mike Orlando, who has watched Tripod for the last decade. 鈥淒uring breeding season he was hanging out with a female,鈥� Mr. Orlando said. 鈥淗e does things a little bit slower than the other bears but he is still a bear. For the most part he has been, for lack of a better term, a good bear.鈥�

The Pork Chop Thief

The only thing better than a story of bear shenanigans is a video that aptly captures the high jinks. In June, of an acrobatic bear doing his best Adam Ondra impersonation on the side of a house in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. According to the homeowner, the bear had entered through a downstairs window and then climbed stairs to the second story, where it became stuck. It attempted to flee the scene through the window, only to be scared by the height. Eventually it returned downstairs and punched through a screen to flee. Why had the bear broken in? The homeowner had left pork chops out to defrost for dinner, and the hungry bruin helped himself to the feast.

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To mark the unofficial start of summer over Memorial Day weekend, my partner and I went hiking at Geode State Park near our home in rural southeast Iowa. As we walked around the lake, we came across two towheaded boys no older than ten. 鈥淢y brother keeps losing his lure,鈥� the older one told us, shaking his head, as the younger boy waded knee-deep into the water. On the grass behind them lay an open fishing tackle box, as well as two iPhones鈥攖hose necessary evils for today鈥檚 unsupervised children鈥攖hat appeared to have been mindlessly tossed aside. For anyone worried about kids wasting their lives in front of screens, this would be a heartening sight. But as we made our way around the lake, we noticed patches of toxic blue-green algae blooming on the water鈥檚 surface.

As the nation鈥檚 top pork producer, outnumber its three million people by more than seven-to-one. Every year, millions of pounds of raw hog waste are applied to the state鈥檚 corn and soybean fields. Nutrients from fertilizer wash into lakes and streams, poisoning water that flows into the Missouri and Mississippi river basins, which provide drinking water to a combined 28 million Americans. The state鈥檚 tributaries to the Mississippi have played an outsized role in creating 听an oxygen-depleted area of the ocean.

Iowa鈥檚 answer to this colossal problem is its nutrient reduction strategy, a $5 billion effort which, since 2013, has encouraged farmers to voluntarily adopt more sustainable practices. According to environmental scientist Chris Jones, it hasn鈥檛 worked. For eight years, Jones sounded the alarm on Iowa鈥檚 worsening water quality as a research engineer at the University of Iowa. In blog posts published on the school鈥檚 website, he wrote provocatively about the agricultural lobby鈥檚 castigating industry and political leaders for .

His outspokenness has made him a thorn in the side of agribusiness and its beneficiaries. , he calculated that manure from Iowa鈥檚 livestock and poultry generates the human waste equivalent of a whopping 168 million people. The Iowa Farm Bureau fired back criticizing Jones鈥� 鈥減oop blog.鈥� In 2021, when Jones pointed out the plain fact that poor people and people of color are more likely to have their drinking water , a state representative accused him of

Jones decided to retire this spring, after he says state senators Tom Shipley and Dan Zumbach approached a university lobbyist with printouts of his blog posts, insinuating that school funding would be cut if the blog was allowed to continue. Shipley told 国产吃瓜黑料 the allegation was 鈥渁bsolutely false.鈥� Zumbach could not be reached for comment, but he in May that Jones鈥� claim is 鈥渞eckless and potentially defamatory.鈥�

Also last month, the Iowa House passed a bill that would eliminate funding for the state鈥檚 network of , a project once managed by Jones that provides Iowans with real-time data on dozens of lakes and streams. 听

To say the least, the future of Iowa鈥檚 waterways looks bleak. But as Jones writes in his new book, , remaining hopeful is a moral imperative. The book includes听a collection of essays from Jones鈥� blog, as well as some new material. I spoke with Jones about the forces driving Iowa鈥檚 water crisis, and what everyday people can do to improve water quality in their own communities.

OUTSIDE: There鈥檚 a common expression that manure is 鈥渢he smell of money.鈥� In some circles, it feels like the only socially acceptable way you can acknowledge the stench. The idea is if you complain, you鈥檙e disrespecting farmers. How does this attitude keep us from having tough conversations about the agricultural industry?

That saying goes way back. But manure doesn鈥檛 quite smell the way it used to, since we have such a large number of hogs concentrated in small areas. We used to have 60,000 farmers in Iowa raising hogs, and now we鈥檙e down to maybe 5,000 or so. I don鈥檛 think people give that saying as much consideration as they used to.

We treat farmers like royalty here鈥攁t least, some of us do. When politicians film TV commercials in Iowa, they want to go out and stand on a farm. And so, we鈥檙e willing to cut farmers some slack on the environmental consequences of their work. That is certainly an obstacle to solving our pollution problem. Now, I鈥檓 not saying farmers are bad. They鈥檙e human beings. Like the rest of us, they make decisions in their own self-interest. If we want to improve the conditions here, we need to change the framework in which they make their decisions.

Earlier this year, the state released revealing that Iowa has the second-highest cancer rate in the country (behind Kentucky), and is the only state with a rising rate of cancer. Nitrate in drinking water can increase the risks of colon, kidney, and stomach cancers, but the word 鈥渘itrate鈥� is nowhere to be found in the report. What鈥檚 your assessment of how the state has addressed water quality as a public health issue?

When the Safe Drinking Water Act was passed in 1974, the maximum contaminant level for nitrate was set at ten milligrams per liter, or ten parts per million. That was intended to protect infants, who developed blue baby syndrome after drinking formula prepared with nitrate-laden well water. Now, we know that drinking water with high levels of nitrate , even at levels below the U.S. legal standard. It鈥檚 not too difficult to believe that nitrate in our drinking water is driving higher cancer rates. Many people across Iowa never drink water with nitrate levels below five parts per million, and that鈥檚 considerably above the levels associated with increased cancer risk in the recent literature. Our state agencies aren鈥檛 talking about the dangers of consuming nitrate at lower levels.

One of your essays is titled, 鈥淢iddle of Nowhere Is Downstream from Somewhere.鈥� The essay is about hog waste in the Iowa River. But it reminded me of how water pollution in this state doesn鈥檛 only affect Iowans. Can you explain how our agricultural practices impact people and wildlife beyond Iowa?

We鈥檙e polluting water at a continental scale. Iowa occupies 4.5 percent of land area in the Mississippi Basin, but contributes to 29 percent of the nitrate and 15 percent of the phosphorus polluting the Gulf of Mexico. What we do here is impacting water quality 1,500 miles away.

The dead zone in the Gulf of Mexico is created by algae blooms, which thrive on high-nutrient water. When the algae dies, it sucks oxygen out of the water and kills off fish, shrimp, and other desirable species. The algae also produces toxins that are harmful to your liver and neural system. Those toxins can be very difficult to remove during the water treatment process, so people end up drinking them.

One-fifth of Iowa鈥檚 land area is used to grow corn for fuel ethanol, and more than half of our corn is used for this purpose. How is ethanol production connected to Iowa鈥檚 poor water quality?听

Corn is one of the most environmentally intensive crops you can grow. It requires a large amount of chemicals and fertilizer, as well as diesel fuel to plant and harvest it. Many farmers also believe corn requires aggressive tillage, so we have soil erosion associated with that which leads to water pollution. The conventional wisdom is that ethanol fuel produces less carbon emissions than regular petroleum. But recent research shows that鈥檚 not true. found that greenhouse gas emissions increased 24 percent with ethanol versus gasoline.

There are crops we could grow on those acres that would produce better environmental outcomes. Iowa used to be the biggest apple producer in the country. We also used to be the nation鈥檚 leading oats producer. Now, we hardly grow anything except corn and soybeans.

All of the infrastructure we have here is aligned with those crops. And that includes the transportation system, the crop insurance industry, the fertilizer manufacturers, and all the agricultural retailers across Iowa鈥攖here are 1,100 of them. If we’re going to do something different, we need market development and policies that would enable that transition.

Last summer, had advisories against swimming due to high levels of bacteria or toxins. As climate change causes temperatures to soar, access to water recreation is increasingly important. What are your thoughts on that?

This is a quality of life issue. Iowa has three million people, and we鈥檝e had around three million people for decades. If we want people to move here, and if we want to retain young people, we need clean water and places where you can enjoy the outdoors. You鈥檙e not going to select Iowa on that basis if you have other choices on where to live.

Iowa鈥檚 percentage of public land (2.8 percent) ranks 48th in the country, only beating Kansas, another agricultural state, and Rhode Island. Only seven percent of that land is within state park boundaries. How does this lack of green space connect to our water quality issues? 听

Only about one percent of the state鈥檚 land area is really usable from a recreational standpoint. Natural areas tend to buffer what鈥檚 happening on working lands by reducing flooding and storing carbon. Minnesota is a farming state, but there鈥檚 also a lot of parks, which mitigates the environmental consequences of agriculture. Here, we don鈥檛 have that. Everything that can be farmed in Iowa is farmed.

When you鈥檝e talked with other Iowans about our lack of outdoor recreation space, is that something that people are aware of? I feel like if you grew up here, you don鈥檛 really know anything else.

I think that鈥檚 right. Iowans have vacationed to Minnesota and Wisconsin for generations. We could have those types of experiences here鈥攆ishing, paddling, canoeing. We could have some really remarkable rivers if we wanted to. But I think people are accustomed to the current condition. There鈥檚 fatigue on this. They see that it isn鈥檛 changing, and so they鈥檒l just spend the extra money to drive 500 miles to do what they want to do. Do we really want to be known as a state where you can鈥檛 do much in the outdoors?

You write about a number of policy changes that you believe would improve Iowa鈥檚 water quality鈥攂anning the application of manure to frozen ground, limiting livestock鈥檚 access to streams, and diversifying farm operations, to name a few. But there鈥檚 very little political will at the state level to take action. What can ordinary Iowans do to enact change?

Just because the legislature doesn鈥檛 want to do these things, doesn鈥檛 mean we shouldn鈥檛 talk about them. The fact that we have a state where agriculture dominates 85 percent of our land area and it basically goes unregulated鈥攖hat鈥檚 got to be a discussion topic. To eventually make these taboo solutions acceptable, you need to talk about these things. It鈥檚 not that regulation won鈥檛 work. They鈥檙e afraid that if we had regulations, they would work, and people would want more.

If people want change, it鈥檚 got to happen at the grassroots level. You have to engage your local officials. That鈥檚 how I see change happening. I don鈥檛 see it happening from above.

Go out and look at a lake or stream by your house. Does it look the way you think it should look? And does it smell the way you think it should smell? Water in nature shouldn鈥檛 smell. I鈥檓 standing in front of a river right now, and it smells. I always tell people, 鈥榊ou don鈥檛 need to believe me. Just go out and look for yourself.鈥�

This conversation has been edited for length and clarity.

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