The canoe is an evolutionary marvel, a basic design that, like sharks in the natural world, cannot be improved upon, only varied subtly to best suit its intended purpose. Choosing a canoe therefore depends less on overall design and more on what you plan to do with it.

Love the beach but hate crowds, traffic, and the oiled masses? In New England, summer mania regularly inundates coastal destinations with sand-loving hordes, making it difficult to quietly commune with the sea. Consider opting instead for these peaceful strands, which offer long stretches of lesser-traveled oceanfront for hiking, exploring, and simply soaking it all in.

So how do you decide if a college is right—or even what schools are worth a visit? After looking at majors and programs, academic quality, facilities, dorms, etc., you eventually get around to the really important question: What is the fly-fishing like? After all, the prospective student is considering investing four important years of their life … or five, or six, if the fishing is really good. And for mom and dad, that’s a lot of parent weekends. And after all, you’re paying the bills, so shouldn’t you get a few good fishing vacations out of this?

Thousands of acres are protected each year through the work of dedicated environmental groups, land trusts, and concerned individuals. Aided by federal, state, and local funding, their efforts have paved the way for dozens of newly conserved parklands. these four locations stand out as inspirational examples—and as opportunities for fresh outdoor adventure in New England.

Four strength training exercises to help you get fit for spring Whether you’re planning a multi-day paddle trip, a hike in the Whites, or a bike ride with friends, training your core muscle group will help you improve strength, flexibility, and balance. The core muscles stabilize the lumbar spine and pelvis, contributing to a strong foundation. “Core conditioning helps you move efficiently and makes people less prone to overuse injuries,� says Will Kirousis of Tri-Hard Sports Conditioning Systems in central Massachusetts. “These types of exercises are functional and work your body in the way it was designed to move.�

In the face of unprecedented warnings about global warming and an opportunity to mitigate our dependence on fossil fuels, the 130-turbine Cape Wind project proposed for Nantucket Sound presents an opportunity to tap into abundant renewable energy. The is the first large-scale offshore wind project in America. Reportedly, it will provide power for 75 percent of the Cape and Islands. The public hearings kick off next week in Massachusetts.

“Rock Snot.� It sounds like a gag item your 13-year old created with a chemistry set—or perhaps just the nickname he came up with to annoy his sister. The reality, however, is not funny. “Rock Snot� is actually the nickname for a freshwater algae Didymosphenia geminata, or didymo for short.

You've seen the video with Dr. Charlie Innis of the New England Aquarium in "Faces of New England." So, just what is the status of Sea Turtle protection efforts? Don't many of them die in fishnets and, as a result, are threatened with extinction?