Summer has arrived, and for so many here in BuxMont, it’s that special time of year when being outside adds enormously to the enjoyment of life. We get to run through the fields, sink our fingers into the earth, lay back on the grass and dip into a cool river or watering hole.

It’s a joy worth preserving; research shows that being in the great outdoors makes us calmer, happier, more grounded and helps to cultivate our appreciation for wonder. It also helps to develop a recognition and respect for the plant and animal life surrounding us, and incentivizes us to learn more about what we can do to conserve and protect it.

Engaging with Mother Nature, though, comes with responsibility, and this year, our attention is on a set of precautions that may be new to some families. In addition to packing our sunglasses, water, sunscreen and first aid kits into our backpacks, we’ll also want to be equipped with the most up-to-date information on Lyme disease and the preventative steps we can take to keep ticks at bay. As Pennsylvania leads the country in new cases of Lyme disease, it’s critical that we are prepared to build new warm-weather habits that keep our families safe this and every summer season.

On pages 16 and 17 of this issue, we learn about organizations like the PA Lyme Resource Network, which has influenced legislative action to support education, prevention and treatment options for Pennsylvanians affected by Lyme disease. Its regional affiliate, Bucks County Lyme, organized by Evelyn Throne and Karen Meyers, holds a monthly support group, which has been an indispensable resource for individuals and families in need of support. We also meet some of the allied healthcare professionals from across the region that are working cooperatively as part of the movement to help boost Lyme literacy.

We are grateful for their excellent efforts to address this important public health challenge, and for sharing their work with the Natural Awakenings community.

Together we are “Making the Awakening” in Bucks and Montgomery counties.

Karen G. Meshkov, Publisher