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When we were growing up, my brother, sister, and I used to go outside on summer nights and try to catch fireflies. Today, watching them flash in the evening is still one of my favorite things about summer. Not long ago, while we were camping in a valley in Tennessee, the fireflies flashed in the …

I grew up in a great neighborhood. All of the kids in the cul-de-sac were around my age, so playing outside was a regular and cherished part of my everyday routine. It’s this tradition and the sense of community surrounding the experience that sparked my love for the outdoors at a young age. Across my …

A nature journal is a book or notebook for recording thoughts, feelings, ideas, and observations about the natural world. Nature journaling offers a unique way to deepen your connection with the outdoors by capturing the beauty, changes, and wonders of the natural world. Whether you’re reflecting on a quiet moment in the forest, noting the …

Every once in a while, a huge flock of crows comes our way. They fill up the yard or the tree branches, making quite a racket. They are gathering together to sleep, and their big group is called a “roost”. No one is sure why these birds do this, though it may be for protection …

When we hear the word “recycling”, we oftentimes think of  a single-use water bottle being dropped into a bin designated by three triangular green arrows and then sent on its merry way to be remolded into a new plastic product.  But sometimes, recycling can be a little more inventive than that. Over the past several …

You can color this picture of an Eastern Box Turtle! Download and print it HERE.   Find out more about box turtles here.

Writing spiders are large black and yellow spiders often found in backyard gardens. Some legends say that if you speak someone’s name to a writing spider, the spider will write that name when it weaves its web. Other stories say that if you disturb or damage the web, the spider will write your name. Although …

If you’re a college student like me, the farewell of winter and emergence of spring means one thing —finals.  By this point in the semester, the mere thought of finishing projects, writing lengthy papers, and preparing for arduous cumulative tests may send you into a spiraling vortex of stress.  Luckily, stress is natural, which means …

April 22 is Earth Day! If you’re looking for a meaningful way to celebrate it, here are some ideas you can try:  1. Start a Nature Journal: Sometimes it’s hard to care about something when you don’t know much about it. Creating a nature journal is an easy way to get connected with the outdoors. …

Humans are creatures driven by smells. We become alert when our nose detects that something could indicate danger or provide information. We react to smells such as burning, linger around strangers wearing an attractive perfume, wrinkle our noses when the trash hasn’t been taken out on time, and run to the kitchen when we smell …

The days are getting longer, flowers are blooming and it’s the perfect time to get outside. Looking for new things to do? Try the Rainbow Hunt. Try to find things in nature that make up the colors of the rainbow. Start with red then move on to orange, green, yellow, blue, indigo, and violent. In …

Time to get crafty! Creating pebble art is a fun activity for the whole family.  What you’ll need Canvas Pebbles (Dollar Tree has them!) Twigs  Hot glue gun Permanent markers (optional)   To Create Your Artwork Decide on your composition by placing the pebbles and twigs on the canvas. You can find lots of ideas …

Looking for some ways to celebrate the season? Here are some ideas to try:  1. Spring flowers and bulbs are starting to bloom. Celebrate the season by playing bloom bingo. Learn how here. 2. Hurray! The time has changed and the days are getting longer. Spend the extra hour (and more!) of daylight outdoors. Some of our …

When I see a small animal that seems to be in distress, my first reaction is to catch it, take it in, and try to help it. But over the years, I’ve learned that’s not always the best thing to do. When I was about 10 years old, I came across three baby squirrels at …

A few weeks ago, looking for something new to do outside, my family and I happened upon a little park—a field really—in the middle of a busy part of town. We had driven past it many times but never stopped to investigate. But this particular Saturday, the rain was coming. We were trying to get …

Looking for a fun, cheap, family-friendly outdoor activity that feels like a treasure hunt? Give magnet fishing a try! When my preteen son came to me and asked about getting a magnet fishing set, I had no idea what he was talking about. After a little research, we ordered one on Amazon (search for Magnet …

Be part of a global event! Join the Great Backyard Bird Count February 18–21, 2022, when the world comes together for the love of birds.  From the Great Backyard Bird Count website:  Participating is easy, fun to do alone or with others, and can be done anywhere you find birds. Step 1: Decide where you …

Canada geese are one of the best-known types of water birds. Their long black necks with black and white markings on their heads make them easy to recognize, even from far away. But although many geese still live in wilderness areas, others have moved into the cities. They take up residence in neighborhoods, parks, and …

Last January found me recovering from COVID, trying to feel at home in our new neighborhood, and needing a way for the kids to run off excess energy in wet winter weather. So on a whim, I made a goal for us: take one hundred walks in 2021. My kids and I dressed warmly, clipped …

Venice Beach, Florida, in Sarasota County is known as the “Shark Tooth Capital of the World” and for good reason. When my family went there in September (and again in November—we really like that beach!), it took only minutes to begin finding shark teeth in the sand. Sarasota sits on a deep fossil layer, and …