As the leaves turns from green to gold to crimson, and we pull out our sweaters to embrace the crisp fall air, we might not take notice of all the ways the world outside our window is also preparing for the cold months ahead. There are very obvious changes many of us do see, like leaves falling from trees or birds flying in formation overhead on their journey south, but what do you think you might see if you looked even closer?
A great way to really take notice of the season in transition is to select one square foot of nature to observe. Mark your little plot with a few sticks in the ground and string if you would like. Seek out the plant or animal life living within this world, and track the changes you notice over several weeks or months as fall turns into winter.
Somethings to keep your eye out for:
- What colors did you observe when you first looked at your tiny realm, and how did they change?
- What creatures did you find living there? Have any left or any come in?
- If there are any plants in your plot, how are they changing?
- What is the temperature of the ground when you started and when you finished your observation?
Bonus: Draw or take a few pictures of your little plot to document its transformation.
Rachel Carson Wildlife Reserve
Hey Green Parents!
Summer vacation is here at last! As your kids embark on their three months of freedom, you can keep their minds, bodies and souls engaged by taking them to visit a wildlife refuge. Across the country, tucked away in Bayous and canyons, estuaries and marshes, hundreds of wildlife refuges are open to the public. These pristine sanctuaries are living and breathing classrooms of ecology and are a rare opportunity to see ecosystems in there unadulterated state.
I recently ventured to the southern Maine coast and visited the Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge. The refuge is scattered along 50 miles of coastline, but accessible in the town of Wells. A well maintained trail guides visitors through woods and along the periphery of estuaries and salt marshes. Young visitors can observe migratory birds species nesting and listen to the reeds rustle along the banks of the salt marshes. This is a great opportunity to write and draw in a nature journal, play “I Spy” with native flora and fauna or learn about the local ecosystem.
To find a wildlife refuge in your area, visit the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services website, and be sure to check out their ideas for visiting with kids.
Wintertime Scavenger Hunt
Calling all Green Kids & Parents!
It’s wintertime, and in many parts or the country, animals are hibernating, the branches are bare and the ground is covered in snow and ice. It’s much quieter outside in the winter, but there is still much to see, hear and smell. How many of these things you can find on a scavenger hunt?
While some animals hibernate or migrate south, many stay and can be spotted all year round. What animals can you find?
- Can you spot a bird with it’s feathers fluffed to keep it warm?
- Can you spot a rabbit hopping to it’s burrow?
Sometimes animals are hard to spot, but if you listen carefully, you can hear them going about their business. How many animal sounds can you hear?
- Can you hear birds chirping, squirrels chattering or coyotes howling?
- Can you hear animals chomping on food?
Animals need a home just like we do. Can you spot these places where animals might live?
- Burrows in the ground
- Nests in bare branches
- Piles of sticks and leaves with nesting insects
Food is much harder to find in the winter. If you were an animal, where would you look for food?
- Can you find a place where animals might go to eat?
- Can you find a place where animals might go to drink?
- Can you find a place where an animal has stored some food?
- Can you find chew marks from where an animal has nibbled on bark?
Snow, dirt and mud are great places to spot animal tracks.
What kind of animal tracks can you see?
