Ties That Bind

House Wren Moving In

What binds us to each other and to the land?

It might be our shared big experiences, like catching a giant crayfish in a very small creek or peeking into a bird box with someone inside.

Chickadee Eggs Near The Barn

It might also be knowledge that brings us closer to nature. Learning the names of new plants and discovering they are useful to humans and animals then watching out for them. Getting to know birds, learning their names and behaviour, like House Wren males who fill many boxes or holes with sticks and lets his lady friend choose the best spot. What about those cocoons?

Promethea Moth will emerge soon!

Our nature school friendships definitely tie us together. Learning from old and young, bringing your ideas to the table and listening to the wisdom of others.

Were you able to  find any ways to help nature during wander time? Think about the changes we made to the stone bridge across the stream. Were you one of the people who helped pull out that pesky garlic mustard to make room for other plants to grow? If you were busy in the water with a net, what did you do after you caught a crayfish, a frog, or a minnow?

We’ve been ‘rooting’ for the cuttings we planted in our rooting garden to start growing some leaves. What did we see when we visited it today and what kinds of trees do we have growing?

Imagine how happy the birds at the farm will be when they notice the new nesting boxes Antman helped us hang on the fence posts. Can you remember two things that really surprised us after the boxes were hung? Think about the Tree Swallows and the Killdeer.

I wonder if you can pick out the big experiences, knowledge, and friendships that shine through in the pictures in this blog. See if you can tell a story from what you see here about the unique and powerful way that you learn at nature school. Talk about how you are going to be a caretaker to protect the nature around you every day.