The Magic of Nests…
If you think about it, a bird egg is a beautiful thing. Within this fragile container is the promise of new feathered life. And bird eggs come in a surprising variety of shapes, sizes and colours. No matter what they look like, there is one fact that may seem obvious but deserves mention – eggs roll. And a rolling egg is not a safe egg. Keeping her eggs both warm and safe is the challenge every mother bird faces. That is why she makes a nest – sometimes an elaborate affair like the woven, hanging nest of a Northern Oriole, or sometimes as simple as a hollow scrape in the ground like that of a Killdeer.
Basement Windows
This is part of a series of articles based on Jacob’s new book called the Book of Nature Connection – 70 Sensory Activities for all Ages, published by New Society Press and released on April 18 th, 2022.
Enjoying the Gifts of Winter, Naturally.
It is a cold December day. A delicate layer of frost edges the corner of each window and mounds of snow smooth over bushes and trees. Birds are huddled under eaves, fluffing their feathers, reminding you that winter is well and truly here.
Brush with Nature
Nature is full of complex curves, shapes, and lines: the sweep of a pine branch, a cascading waterfall, waves marching along a lake, or a rolling thunder cloud. To our eyes, the natural world may seem chaotic—a bold blend of colours, textures, and patterns. But a more careful look reveals just how intricate and lovely the shapes of nature are.
Touching the Earth – A conversation with Jacob Rodenburg & Drew Monkman
Recently, I had the amazing opportunity to sit down with two incredibly inspirational men who have dedicated much of their lives to engaging kids (and parents!) with nature. Drew Monkman and Jacob Rodenburg have written The Big Book of Nature Activities. A year-round guide to outdoor learning.
Balsam Fir Motor Boat
You may be lucky enough to have balsam firs growing where you live, and if you do, you’ve got access to the tools to craft a resin-powered “motorboat” ready to zoom across any pond!
The Art of Stalking
If you’re like me, a walk through the woods is a loud affair. Stepping on sticks, squelching through mud, shuffling over dried leaves, and smashing through branches—whatever wildlife may have been hiding is long gone.
Take it Outside – Enjoying the Gifts of Winter
It’s a cold February day. A delicate layer of frost edges the corner of each window and mounds of snow smooth over bushes and trees. Birds are huddled under eaves, fluffing their feathers, reminding you that winter is well and truly here.
Nurturing Naturalists – Inspiring our Better Nature for Children of All Ages
Liam could barely contain his excitement as he bounced back and forth from one foot to the other. There, cradled in his cupped hands, was a red-backed salamander, its moist skin glistening in the sun.