getting outside (the divine natural world, part two)

So, yesterday I mentioned that Richard Louv, author of Last Child in the Woods, had somewhat of a doom and gloom perspective on the state of America's relationship with the outdoors. It got a little heavy for me after a hundred pages or so, all of the discussion on childhood obesity, corporate greed, and kids who can identify Pokemon characters, but not the tree in their backyard. It became a little like the TV news saturation I have been trying avoid for the sake of my mental health. Enough already!

BUT...his research was fascinating. And I was at least glad that I picked up the new edition of the book, in which Louv seemingly responds to criticism of the book by adding an appendix of things we can do as families, educators, and groups to improve not only access to true greenspace, but also our children's "natural intelligence" quotient. I thought I'd share a handful of the ideas I really like, and that we're going to try:

1. Invite native flora and fauna into your life. Maintain a birdbath. Replace part of your lawn with native plants. Build a bat house...and lots of other "get in your backyard" ideas. I like this notion, and I'm proud to say we already experiment with things like this. I love critters. Although I've had a complicated relationship with the squirrels (did they have to dig up my hosta and toss it by the roots on the sidewalk?? Cheeky bastards.), I do think them funny and entertaining creatures. I love butterflies, chipmunks, birds, bunnies, pretty much any backyard critter, even when they challenge my gardening or dump my birdfeeders. Louv points out, and I couldn't agree more, that connecting with the wildlife or caring for plants connects us to the land in a very real way. It gives us, and by extension our children, a greater sense of stewardship. These things no longer become an abstraction for children, and they learn how we are connected to, and interdependent with everything in our surroundings.

I've been an avid birdfeeder for years, and Alexa's been observing and participating in my obsession with birds since she was barely a few years old. I didn't begin to feed birds to teach her anything (it was really more about me loving birds), but it's amazing how much she has learned. She can identify dozens of types of birds, and she can identify the calls of chickadees, cardinals, bluejays, hawks, and various others. She loves being on hawk and turkey vulture watch in the car, and can identify birds of prey in flight just by their markings. She worries if we let the feeders run low, especially in the winter, and reminds me to fill them up. I love this about her. It's knowing Alexa in a totally different way. She is astute, excitable and concerned when it comes to her backyard critters, and it's really wonderful to see her stimulated by something that has no material value. We've even participated in Cornell's FeederWatch, which is another suggestion of Louv's. During the winter months, you keep track of birds visiting your yards, and report them to Cornell, where they compile statistics on bird migration patterns. Alexa finds the idea of being a "bird scientist" very novel.

Our next project is going to be more investment in native plants for our yard, and more butterfly- and hummingbird-attracting plants.

2. Join the Invitation to a Healthy Yard from the National Wildlife Federation. Great suggestions on how to get started with attracting or providing shelter for wildlife, and ideas for planting a "healthy" yard. If you follow the set of guidelines, you can apply to become a "Wildlife Certified Habitat." How fun would that be to do with kids?

Come little critters!

3. Join the Great American Campout. All you have to do is register, and pitch a tent in the backyard with your kids. Have a campfire, eat some marshmellows, and snuggle up in the great outdoors. The website is great, too, because there's an interactive map showing registered campers in the U.S., and you can zoom in on your city or ZIP code to see other campers in your area. Many metroparks are even participating by hosting campouts in the park.

4. Greenhour.org  has lots of printables and activities for kids to do while hiking. There are printable nature journals, scavenger hunt sheets, and a great blog of daily nature adventures to try as a family.

Greenhour

There were many more suggestions, these were just a few that I found interesting. It seems that Louv's ideas are catchy...even our state developed a summer challenge, called "Explore the Outdoors Ohio." Louv is mentioned by name in the Governor's letter to citizens on the website and booklet, where the governor dares parents to reunite their children with "nature, improve their physical and emotional health, and discover the rewards of environmental stewardship." The first 100 kids to complete the 10-task challenge get a prize, and all kids can earn a stewardship patch if they complete the challenge.

Louv also wrote the forward in a book I just ordered from the library, which gives parents scads of better ideas to engage their children in the outdoors. I can't wait to read it:

I Love Dirt!: 52 Activities to Help You and Your Kids Discover the Wonders of Nature

Jennifer Ward

Suffice it to say, I think it will be a very outdoorsy summer :) I hope it will be the same for you!