Nature Connection

Nature Connection Challenge Day 78 - Try This Outside/Inside Invitation

The focus for this invitation is to notice with your senses what’s on the outside and how that makes you feel on the inside. Go out to a place in nature where you feel safe and comfortable and either walk/wander or sit/lay and take in your surroundings. With each sense you will ask, “What do I notice (on the outside)?” Then ask, “What do I feel (on the inside)?”

Example: Sight: Outside I see flowers, and Inside I feel joy.…

Nature Connection Challenge - Day 77 - Make a Wildflower Bouquet

Have you noticed all the wildflowers blooming right now? The world is full of violets and lily of the valley and daisies. Isn’t Mother Nature brilliant in the way she produces all these colors and shapes and scents?

Today, walk around and find as many different varieties of wild flowers as you can and make yourself a bouquet to remind you of natures bountiful, extravegant beauty.

On the next clear night, we challenge you to get outside to do some stargazing! Observe the night sky, look for constellations, and enjoy the peaceful darkness. You might try using an app like Sky Map, a handlheld planetarium used for identifying stars and planets, by holding your phone up to the sky.

Sometimes bringing activities that are normally done indoors to a space outside can make it feel like an entirely new project! Find a shady (or sunny!) spot, bring a few craft items, such as scissors, yarn or string, glue, crayons, colored pencils, and beads. You may wish to also collect nature items such as sticks, leaves, stones or flowers. Place this on a blanket on the ground or a table and have fun creating!

Nature Connection Challenge- Day 74 - Listen to the Birds Sing

This is a very busy time for birds. They are mating, laying eggs, making nests and enjoying the plethora of bugs, worms and plants all that Spring has brought to the ecosystem.

Today’s challenge is to tune into your sense of hearing and spend time listening to the beautiful language of the Birds. Many naturalists study bird language as a way to read the cues of the forest. Birds communicate with each other in a myriad of ways, warn…

The element of water can be soothing and invigorating. Water is soft and flowing, yet it can erode rocks with its power. Water teaches us that we can adapt to changes in our surroundings, and that with persistence we can move mountains. Today take some time to explore the qualities of water. Here are some ideas for ways to connect with the energy of water:

• Mindfully enjoy a bath or shower

• Set up a sprinkler in your yard and run …

For this activity, you will need to cut a length of string or yarn to string items onto. Begin collecting some nature items, such as leaves, flowers, sticks, pinecones, feathers, stones and seashells and tie or string them onto the yarn/string. Share your creations with us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/throughthetreesme/.

The focus for this invitation is to use your imagination. Find a spot outside where you feel safe enough to have your eyes closed or partly closed. Take a few slow and deep breaths to center your attention and calm yourself. Imagine yourself a forest being who is small enough to use a leaf as a boat. Now imagine yourself floating on a flowing river or creek. 

Who would you be? What would it feel like to be this being on a l…

Today or on any sunny day, make some Sun Tea! You can either use tea bags or gather edible blossoms and leaves, such as dandelion, violets, wood sorrel, sheep sorrel, and mint. Place the tea bags or blossoms and leaves in a large jar and fill with water. Cover and place it in the sun for several hours (at least 3, but can leave it in the sun all day). Pour the tea through a mesh strainer to remove the leaves and blossoms or remove the tea bags…

Many cultures around the world have worshiped or honored the sun for centuries, and it’s easy to understand why. The sun provides warmth, light, food and makes life possible on this planet. Without fail, no matter what else is going on in our lives, the sun rises and sets each day.

Have you thanked the sun lately? Challenge yourself to take a moment to pause and feel your gratitude for the sun. This can be done in any way you feel is right f…