EXPLORING NEARBY NATURE

BY BETH STEIN

IDS LOVE STORIES. Adventures steeped in danger and drama. Long journeys and who-done-it mysteries. Coming-of-age tales and magical transformations. Through stories, kids grow and learn, develop and thrive.

Books, of course, provide an infinite supply of tales for kids of all ages. They are also a wonderful source of information about the natural world. Have you ever considered, however, that there is another, even more hands-on source of stories available to your child? One with an ever-changing table of contents? One with stories that can be read day or night, regardless of where you call home? One with tales you can see, hear, touch, smell, AND taste? Have you guessed yet? That’s right, it’s nature nearby!

The world right outside your window is filled to the brim with stories. Some stories, such as the birth of a bloom, are meant to be read with your eyes and smelled with your nose. Other tales, such as the romance of a robin, are meant to be heard with your ears. Some tales, like that of a river’s journey to the sea, make the most sense when you dip your fingers in rushing water or float in a boat. Other stories, such as the skyward reach of a high hill, require some climbing to understand. Many stories, such as the life cycle of a leaf or a stone’s adventures in the river, can simply be held in your hands.

KThe next time you go outside with your kids, try to “read” the stories that nature is telling in your neighborhood. Solve mysteries. Who left that pile of feathers on the ground? Who created that big mound of dirt? Who made that hole in the tree? Keep your eyes open for evidence of big adventures and long journeys. Watch for ants on the move, bees gathering nectar, and birds flying south. Look for plants and animals coming of age – spiders hatching, fruits ripening, fawns with their mamas. Seek out magical transformations – butterflies fluttering and frogs hopping. It’s amazing what you will learn when you start to read the woods and listen to the language of the land. In all your adventures, remember that the most important thing about your time outdoors with a child is that you discover and let the stories enchant you. Knowing the exact names of the characters (plants, animals, insects, etc.) is not nearly as important as simply finding the story itself. The details can come later, after the enchantment. ✦

PHOTO: QUENTIN FURROW

For a bit of live-action nature storytelling this fall, join Nearby Nature for the Haunted Hike on Friday, October 21. At this popular October event, Nearby Nature guides lead special pumpkin-lit hikes in Alton Baker Park. On each hike, people encounter all sorts of costumed night critters in the woods, from wily Grandma Spider to mysterious Ollie Owl. Each of these talking critters has an entertaining story to tell about its life as a creature of the night. The event is most appropriate for pre-school and elementary school kids. Preregistration is required for the hourlong hike – see nearbynature.org/ events for more info.

Beth Stein is the Executive Director of Nearby Nature, a non-profit education group dedicated to fostering appreciation of nature nearby and providing tools for ecological living. In 2022, the organization is celebrating its 30th birthday! Nearby Nature hosts daycamps, after school programs, preschool activities, special events, and restoration projects. For more information, call 541-6879699 or see www.nearbynature.org.