Pages from "Explore the Big Outdoors", a monthly feature in National Wildlife Federation's Big Backyard magazine for 3-7 year-olds. This project has been ongoing since 2004. This column won the 2009 award for Best Department/Column in a Preschool Publication given by The Association of Educational Publishers. Ms. Kurki is responsible for the original design concept and format, as well as the research, writing, and illustration.