In celebration of Literacy Month, Idler’s Rest Nature Preserve will host its fourth annual “Tales on the Trails” — a self-guided hike where visitors are able to scout out hiking trails in search for special book nooks along the way.
Along with scoping out Robert Frost novels or Edgar Allan Poe poems hidden along the trails, visitors have the option to be their own artistically inclined poets.
Lovina Englund, the executive director for the Palouse Land Trust, said the activities wouldn’t be possible without the support of the University of Idaho community.
“We feel strongly about our connection to student body and the staff community at the University of Idaho and welcome opportunities to have our preserve be a place where people can retreat from the rigors of everyday life and deepen their connection with nature near home,” Englund said.
Community director Jaime Jovanovich-Walker, a Washington State University graduate, said she has been a part of the Idler’s Rest Nature Preserve team since October 2015 and has enjoyed every second of her work.
Jovanovich-Walker manages Tales on the Trails. In preparation for the annual event, she said she typically sets up the book stations and replaces and adds new books each year.
She also spearheads promotioanl efforts for the event.
Jovanovich-Walker said many of the books seen on the trails this year were either thrifted or donated from community members and staff.
As the community outreach coordinator, Jovanovich-Walker said she is also working on several other events taking place at Idler’s Rest such as yoga, guided hikes and sound bathing.
“Our mission is to connect people with the landscape and we strive to find new and creative ways to get people outside and in nature,” she said.
Regarding the younger visitors at Idler’s Rest, Jovanovich-Walker said having children take part in the event has a direct impact on the community’s future.
“They are our future conservation leaders and will be the stewards of our landscape and we need them to be passionate, informed and interested in preserving and protecting the lands that mean so much to all of us,” she said.
Janovich-Walker said individuals interested in volunteering their time to the preserve can sign up online.
Avery Pittman can be reached at [email protected]