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Natural Connection

Get Out To Be "In" With Nature
Schedules, appointments, to do lists and calendars - as a society we certainly don't give ourselves much time to slow down and enjoy all of the amazing things that Mother Nature has to offer.

Spending time connecting to nature can have a positive physical and mental impact on us as individuals.  The Children and Nature Network (www.childrenandnature.org) finds that "children are smarter, cooperative, happier and healthier when they have frequent and varied opportunities for free and unstructured play in the outdoors."  Author Richard Louv directly links the lack of nature in our "wired generation" to obesity, attention disorders and depression in his book "Last Child in the Woods".  He not only highlights concerns, but also shares over 100 ideas for reconnecting to nature.

If this is true for our children, then it also applies to us.  We've always heard the old saying "slow down and smell the roses", but when was the last time that you actually did?  There are many simple and practical things that we can all do to increase our bond to the earth.

What Makes It Green?
In order to be good stewards of the earth, we need to have a strong awareness of and connection with our environment.  Spending unstructured time outside can also help us all feel better emotionally and physically.

What You Can Do
You don't have to look far to get started - there are opportunities in your own backyard or community.
  • Keep your eyes and ears open.  Look and listen for insects, birds and other wildlife.
  • Enjoy some of the joys of your childhood (and encourage your kids to try them too).  The possibilities are only as limited as your memories and imagination - here are a few ideas:  lay in the grass and look for shapes in the clouds, search out 4 leaf clovers, catch fireflies, dig for earthworms, turn over rocks and stumps and see what crawls out or blow dandelion seeds.
  • Keep a journal of which birds, insects, leaves and flowers you find in your yard or on a hike.
  • Enjoy the journey when hiking - don't just hightail it to the finish, take your time and enjoy the sites, sounds and smells along the way.
  • Play in the dirt.  Plant bushes, plants and trees to attract birds, butterflies and other wildlife to your yard.  The National Wildlife Federation (www.nwf.org) gives great ideas on how to create a wildlife habitat.
  • Visit a local park or nature preserve and explore it without a structured plan.
  • Check out your state parks.  Stateparks.com has a locator map and information on each state's parks.  They also provide links to other sites with related topics for each park.
  • Road trip it and see America's 58 amazing national parks and 74 national monuments.  The USGS has annual passes available on their website for only $80.  The pass covers up to 4 adults and kids under 15 are free, so take a friend or two with you!
didyouknow
The Children and Nature Network has identified 60 regions in the U.S. that have grassroots campaigns in place to help connect kids with nature.  These groups work as coalitions on the state, regional and local level to increase public awareness, education and advocacy.

handson
My family loves Let's Go Chipper's "Into the Great Outdoors" Activity Kit (DVD, CD and Activity Book).  An animated city squirrel named Chipper learns about the importance of respecting nature and how to be a "little" steward of the environment.  It's funny and has great music - I find myself humming the songs even when my kids aren't around.  Get your own copy at LetsGoChipper.com.
 
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