I’ve always loved running as a way to stay active, but with the recent quarantine, more than ever, it’s been essential to my well-being.
My family is lucky to live a couple of miles from the American River Parkway. The Parkway includes more than 30 miles of hiking and equestrian trails, and many bike paths that stretch through 4,800-acres of natural resources in Sacramento County, California. It has more than a dozen access points including William B. Pond and River Bend Park which are two of our field day locations for Classrooms Unleashed.
Recently, we made it a point to drive to the river in the late afternoon or early evening each day. Sometimes we go for a walk as a family, exploring side trails and skipping rocks. Other days, we split up, so that our teenager can get some alone time, and I can get my run in while immersing myself into a podcast. I feel like I’m getting to know the river better — its plant and animal inhabitants and its visitors. Each spring, the redbud trees are in bloom, and the trails are lined with mugwort, vetch, and wild radish. It’s a beautiful place to visit and explore.
Is there a park or nature area where you live that you like to visit? If so, make a plan for an outing with your family this week. See how many different kinds of plants, trees, and wildlife you can find.
For maps and more detailed information about the Lower American River, visit the American River Parkway Foundation.
By Sarah Barnes, Sacramento Program Director
Mugwort
About the Vegetation
California mugwort ‘Artemisia douglasiana’ is a western North American species of aromatic herb in the sunflower family. Native Americans used it as a medicinal plant to relieve joint pain and headaches and to treat abrasions and rashes.
Eastern redbud ‘Cercis canadensis’ is a large deciduous shrub or small tree that has a cluster of tiny magenta budges and rosy pink flowers in early spring.
Redbud
Vetch ‘Vivica’ is comprised of several species of plants in the pea family. Like other legumes, they add enriching nitrogen to the soil.
Wild radish ‘Raphanus sativus’ This exotic biennial (takes two years to complete its biological life cycle) of the Mustard Family is from southern Asia and can reach 3 feet in height and has a taproot somewhat like that of a radish with a distinctive radish odor and taste.
Vetch
Wild radish
Photo Source: pixaby.com; vetch; mugwort; wild radish; and redbud.