Photo: Outdoor Rise

As environmentalists turn toward cities as the principal model of a sustainable future, many frighten that the Great Outdoors will be left out of the picture. But Discover Outdoors, an organization dedicated to improving the “quality of life through meaningful outdoor experiences,” says that the quintessential getaway is right in our backyard. On June 17, Discover Outdoors kicks off Outdoor Rise, a week of outdoor adventures that will satisfy New Yorkers itching for an escape, and perhaps quell the fears of the skeptical.

The festival will take participants kayaking in the Hudson River, bouldering in Central Park, and mountain-biking in Queens among other high-endurance activities. For nature-lovers that tend toward lower-endurance activity, the festival will also host daily yoga classes, lectures, films, and a photography workshop atop Mount July. Join Discover Outdoors for a getaway in a city that offers the best in outdoor adventures and the promise of a sustainable future.

Visit the website for the events calendar.