This episode is brought to you by REI Co-op, which believes that life outside is essential.

Research demonstrates numerous physical and mental benefits to heading out your door.

Unfortunately, one in three Americans simply don't have outside spaces close to where

they live.

Challenges range from a lack of public transportation to a highway that cuts off a neighborhood

from a park to systemic issues.

It's a problem that affects the entire country, which is why REI is on a mission to get every

American outside in five minutes or less.

The movement is called outside in five, and it includes a combination of support for

local community-led organizations and a national campaign to pass the outdoors for all act.

Whether it's re-greening city blocks, creating safe bike lanes, or simply making our outdoor

spaces more equitable, together we can make getting to the park, a walk in the park.

Learn more and take action at REI.com-forward-slash-outside-in-five.

From outside magazine, this is the outside podcast.

When I was in my early 20s, I spent an enormous amount of time chasing birds.

With binoculars hanging around my neck, I traveled to Ecuador and Alaska, Thailand and

South Africa, Fiji and Costa Rica, sleeping in hostels and tents while racking up sightings

of many, many species.

I absolutely loved it.

When people ask me why, I explain that for me, birds are the clearest window into what's

going on in any habitat.

I want to know if a waterway has fish, look for osprey, an eagle, and turns.

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