With blue skies above our heads and nature below our feet, spending time in the great outdoors can be both an exciting and humbling experience. But before lacing up the hiking boots and packing up the rucksack, there are some crucial things that every novice adventurer should know. To celebrate National Park Week and the exciting new web series, ?Race to the Moment,? Jeff Corwin will get us prepared for what Mother Nature can throw our way ? from thunderstorms to pollen to even bears.

? Never approach or entice wildlife, no matter how gentle they may seem. While bears can pose a real and immediate threat, most wildlife encounters are with non-aggressive animals such as moose, raccoons or deer.
? Don?t forget necessities such as water and a flashlight, as well as a first aid kit and any medication you may need.
? If a thunderstorm is approaching while you are in the wilderness, be sure to avoid tall, solitary objects, such as trees or an open shelter, and head to low ground. Remove anything from your body that could conduct electricity. If you're traveling in a group, don't huddle together.

Since his early childhood, Jeff Corwin has worked for the conservation of endangered species and ecosystems around the globe. He is the host of a variety of popular television series and specials, including Animal Planet's Jeff Corwin Experience, Giant and Corwin's Quest. Through Penguin Books, Jeff is publishing a series of books for younger readers focusing on wildlife, ecology and conservation called The Jeff Corwin Jr. Explorer Series. Jeff?s wildlife and conservation work has been regularly featured on a variety of television series including CNN, FOX, Good Morning America, The Today Show, CBS Morning Show, Ellen DeGeneres, Regis and Kelly and The Oprah Winfrey Show.