Camping Noire Magazine

As February unfolds, we are reminded that it's not just a month for exchanging valentines but also a time to cherish and safeguard something even more precious—our heart health. Amid the hustle and bustle of everyday life, particularly for black women who often face unique challenges in healthcare, reconnecting with nature emerges as a powerful ally in this journey towards wellness. Camping, hiking, or simply immersing oneself in the great outdoors offers a myriad of benefits that can significantly bolster heart health, especially for black women. Here's why embracing nature should be a top priority this Heart Health Month: Stress Reduction: The natural world provides a serene sanctuary away from the stressors of everyday life. Studies have shown that spending time in green spaces can lower cortisol levels, reduce anxiety, and alleviate stress—all of which are significant contributors to heart disease. Physical Activity: Engaging in outdoor activities like hiking and camping e

Happy Black History Month! If you're looking for some new authors to add to your book collection of inspirational nature writings, search no more; we've started a list of authors you can read and add some significant new perspectives about how Black authors see the natural world. Camille T. Dungy:  Black Nature: Four Centuries of African-American Nature Poetry Carolyn Finley:  Black Faces, White Spaces: African Americans and the Great Outdoors Cecil Griscombe:  Prairie Style Al Young:  Something About the Blues Harryette Mullen:  Urban Tumbleweed John C. Robinson:  Birding for Everyone: Encouraging People of Color to Become Birdwatchers Dianne D. Glave:  To Love the Wind and the Rain: African-Americans and Environmental History Norris McDonald:  Diary of an Environmentalist Mary Williams:  The Lost Daughter, A Memoir Eddy L. Harris:  Mississippi Solo, A River Quest Lauret Savoy:  Trace: Memory, History, Race, and the American Landscape John Francis:  Planet Walker J. Drew Latha