Use The Screen To Get Into The Green . . . Week One
The Nature Museum’s long-time slogan has been, “Alive with learning.” From stargazing to birdwatching to fairy house festivities, we strive to provide educational experiences for all ages that inspire a new sense of wonder and appreciation for the natural world. During this challenging time of social isolation and uncertainty, we’re committed to finding creative ways to encourage everyone to step outside with new eyes. It is springtime in Vermont, and the annual renewal of nature is an especially wonderful phenomenon to behold as the weeks of solitude continue.
It is ironic that just last month, The Nature Museum started to kick-off our “Less Screen Time, More Green Time” campaign, and now we find ourselves communicating solely via screens! Given our mission to connect people of all ages to nature, we are moving forward with this commitment by using screens to inspire you to get outside. We like to think of this as our “A Little Screen Time To Find More Green Time” initiative. Join us in this unique challenge and get inspired to spend a little more time outside with new observations and appreciation.
We’ll send out an email every Monday with a week’s worth of activities for all ages. Our website will have more details, and our social media pages will be updated daily with more activities and links. Through these platforms, you can still connect with us by engaging in educational resources and participating in weekly offerings of hands-on, nature-based, real-time challenges.
We hope you are all staying safe, finding ways to connect with your loved ones, and discovering moments of solitude and positivity. During this unprecedented time, we are keeping the world in our thoughts.
Vanessa Stern, Executive Director and Jay DeGregorio, Senior Educator
Keeping a journal is a great way to connect more deeply with nature. It also helps us to slow down, take time to observe our surroundings, and more fully appreciate each moment. As you embark on this journey with us, take a moment to consider the focus of your personal journal. Will you find a “sit spot” that you return to regularly throughout this practice? Would you prefer to visit a variety of nature spaces over time? Will your journal include both images and text, or just one or the other? Is your work just for you, or something you hope to share with others?
We’ve provided two links with instructions to make your own unique journal. The paper bag journal is great for kids. They can use the pockets for collecting nature treasures they find in their sit spots, or cardstock for extra writing or pictures can be inserted. If you don’t have all of the materials needed, get creative! Use what you have around. Maybe you even have an old notebook just waiting to be decorated and become a special journal. Please feel free to share your work with us in the comments below. We’d love to see them and others may be inspired!
https://ilovemykidsblog.net/2017/06/paper-bag-journal-craft.html
https://www.instructables.com/id/Journal-cardboard-duct-tape/
Which tree has bark like this? See our Facebook page for more photos, clues, and the answer!
This week’s challenge-Make a bird house for your feathered friends! Use these how-to’s as guides, but feel free to get creative with what you have available!
MilkCartonBirdHouse
https://www.artbarblog.com/milk-carton-bird-houses/
Plastic Milk Jug Bird House
https://intelligentdomestications.com/2016/09/how-to-make-milk-jug-bird-houses.html
Simple Box Bird House
This week’s “Friday Find” is birds. When you’re enjoying the solitude and fresh air outside, take some time to notice the birds. How many can you find? What different types are they? Are they birds that have been here all winter, or are now just returning in the spring? What are they doing?
Your observations matter, including to scientists. Interested helping scientists understand birds through their research? Sign up for Cornell University’s Project eBird for FREE! This project is accessible via the eBird App and through their website, https://ebird.org/home. The app allows you to record bird observations and even offers steps to help you identify birds. There are several ways to learn more about birding and the app! You can take free courses and resources that introduce birding and the app via their website,
https://academy.allaboutbirds.org/product/ebird-essentials/ There are also video tutorials on their YouTube channel, https://www.youtube.com/user/LabofOrnithology/search?query=tutorials
This week’s “Weekend Wonder” Photo Challenge asks you for your photo observations of spring revealing itself to us in contrast to the last vestiges of winter. What colors and shapes can you find emerging from the white blanket of snow? Below are some photos that we took of things we noticed. What signs of spring inspire you to capture them in a photo? Please share your photos any questions you have with us on our Facebook page in this week’s post!
Red-winged Blackbirds Return with Spring
The next time you take a walk outside, see if you can see a red-winged blackbird. Can you spot one? How do the males and females look different?If it’s early in the morning, you might be lucky enough to hear a song!
https://northernwoodlands.org/outside_story/article/red-winged-blackbirds-return-with-spring
Have you ever noticed that leaves in spring sometimes appear more red than green? Why is that? Here’s an article that helps explain this phenomenon.
Apply what you’ve read to your own backyard. As the leaves begin to emerge, what colors do you notice? What does this tell you about this spring’s weather patterns? What’s the advantage of early season young leaves having red color?