Part of the Solution

Getting involved in projects that show how much we care about nature is part of becoming an environmental steward. It promotes teamwork, problem solving, and responsibility. It nudges us to think about how our actions affect other living things.  How did you feel today after helping members of the Harrington community clean up the conservation area?

Being a caretaker of the earth means thinking about what we buy and what we do with it afterward. We discovered which materials break down easily and which materials last for a very long time. Which items surprised you the most and how will this knowledge change how you buy things? Remember to be part of the solution, not the pollution!

Our birds also need some help in the springtime. How can nesting boxes make their lives easier? We think the chickadees and tree sparrows in Harrington will be happy when they notice the new nesting boxes Mr. Miller helped us mount on the west side. How did we decide on the best places to put them? (Think about height, sunlight, wind, predators, and food sources.)

The battle against invasive species is a big problem everywhere, including Mystery Forest. We followed the lead of activist, Water Bear and joined forces to try to remove as many of the garlic mustard plants as we could find. We filled 6 large garbage bags in just over an hour. What are the ‘secrets’ when removing an invasive plant? (do it in the early spring before the plant flowers, pull out the entire root, don’t compost them).

What were some of your other favourite moments today?

There were so many ways you were an environmental steward today. What is the most important quality that makes you a good nature caretaker? Can you find other ways to be a caretaker or other people you can get involved. Remember Mother Earth will look after YOU if you look after her.