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SPRING FEVER
CREATE LASTING FAMILY MEMORIES THIS ARBOR DAY Arbor Day, celebrated this year on April 25, is a chance to dig deep and nurture the environment while creating lasting memories with your kids. Rooted in the love of trees, Arbor Day is a perfect opportunity to teach your little ones the importance of caring for our planet while having fun outside. With wildfires destroying millions of acres of trees annually, the need for replanting has never been greater. Planting a tree is a hands-on way to make a difference; kids love getting their hands dirty. Plus, it’s more than just a lesson in environmental stewardship — it’s an activity that promotes exercise, teamwork, and pride in watching something grow. START THE ADVENTURE. Choose the perfect tree and location. Let your children take the lead in selecting a spot with the right amount of sunlight and plenty of room for growth. Once you’ve gathered your tools — a spade, mulch, soil, water bucket, and, of course, your tree — the real fun begins. Together, dig a hole just the right size for the root ball. While the adults may handle the more technical steps, like trimming roots that twist or grow in circles, kids can pitch in by scooping dirt and getting up close to nature. As you settle the tree into its new home, explain how the roots will anchor it and how its leaves will turn sunlight into energy. After planting, the work doesn’t stop! Teach your children how to water the tree properly — soaking the root ball without overwatering. Build a mulch ring together and explain its purpose in keeping the roots cool and moist. Then, it’s time to watch it grow! CHART THE JOURNEY AHEAD. Planting a tree is just the beginning of a long-term adventure. Encourage your kids to measure the tree’s growth, sketch its leaves, and write about its progress in a journal. Snap photos together to document its transformation, and talk about trees’ vital role in providing oxygen, shade, and habitat for all of us. This Arbor Day, take a moment to plant more than a tree — plant a memory. Working together as a family teaches lessons in responsibility, environmental care, and the joy of nurturing life. Plus, the smiles and laughter along the way? Those are the real treasures.
Spring in El Paso and Las Cruces comes and goes fast. One day, it’s pleasantly warm and sunny with a nice light breeze. The next?
It’s too hot to go outside. But now’s the perfect time to explore our backyard. Here are a couple of great spots for spring adventures.
FRANKLIN MOUNTAIN STATE PARK — EL PASO Franklin Mountain State Park is just a 15-minute drive from El Paso. The park offers camping, picnicking, and bird-watching, and hikers and mountain bikers are spoiled with over 100 miles of trails. The Aztec Cave Trail is a personal favorite. If you want a bit of a challenge without feeling wiped out for the rest of the day, this is for you. Lower Sunset Loop is an easier option. Looking to push yourself? Scale the Sugarloaf Summit Trail and enjoy the incredible views as a reward.
ORGAN MOUNTAINS/DRIPPING SPRINGS — LAS CRUCES
Steep and angular, the Organ Mountains stand tall in the Chihuahuan Desert. Some of the peaks hit 9,000 feet. The jagged landscape has a way of catching the light just right and creating the perfect mix of
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