Restoring with Nature

CNC and Well-Bean have partnered to create Restoring with Nature encouraging individuals and families to discover themselves in the natural world. Each season, the project will provide short mindfulness practices to help unplug from the busyness of life and arrive in the sheer presence of nature.

Restoring with Nature

Nature Lessons

 

Use these lessons for daily nature exploration.
Special activities are suggested for students in Kindergarten
through 5^th grade, but all ages are encouraged to explore these topics.

Tree Conversation Starters by Grade Level (K-5) & Tree-related activities Spend the week learning about trees. Make sure they use their tree journal as they explore the trees in their yard.		Worms This week we are learning about worms. Head outside and explore the wonderful world of worms.		Birds This week we are learning all about birds. What birds are you seeing in your yard?

Pollinators Pollinators are an important part of spring. This weeks topic is all about the pollination process.		Wildlfowers		Vernal Pools Vernal pools are special as they are only found in the spring. Head outside and explore a vernal pond near you!

 

Weather The saying goes that April showers bring May flowers - what else do you know about the weather?		Earth's Sky		Nocturnal, Diurnal, Crepuscular This week we dive into the world of nocturnal, diurnal and crepuscular animals.

Invasive Exotic Species All plants and animals can be sorted into two categories: native species and exotic species. This week, we are learning more about these topics.		Citizen Scientist Spend the week as a citizen scientist. A citizen scientist is a member of the public that helps gather scientific research. What can you find?

Plants Plants are very unique and a good indicator of the arrival of spring. Enjoy the day looking at, interacting with and experiencing the power of plants!		Mammals Children connect with mammals partially for their cute and fuzzy appearance but also due to their size. Spend a wonderful day celebrating magnificent mammals!		Insects Insects are cold-blooded animals meaning their body temperature matches their environment. Depending on how cold it is outside insects may be hard to find. Good luck on your hunt for interesting insects today!

Reptiles & Amphibians Reptiles and amphibians have been sleeping all winter because they are cold-blooded and get their heat from their environment. Some are still sleeping! Be a detective today to discover where reptiles and amphibians are hiding!		Birds Birds can be found everywhere. Use your eyes, your ears and maybe even your hands or feet to find beautiful birds in a green space near you!

Youth Scavenger Hunts

 

Save these on your phone or print them
and take them on your next nature adventure!

Patterns in Nature Explore an outdoor space near your home and help your child discover these patterns and shapes in nature.		Spring Signs Scavenger Hunt Now that it is officially spring its time to head outside for our spring scavenger hunt. We encourage you to share your experience with us on Facebook.		Bird Scavenger Hunt Birds the word. Print this scavenger hunt and see how many you are able to find.

Life Under a Log Lots of insects live under logs. This week, roll a log over and see what you can find.		Tree Scavenger Hunt Head outside to see if you can find a tree ...		Vernal Pools Scavenger Hunt How many of these can you SEE, FEEL, HEAR and SMELL?

Weather Scavenger Hunt Look high and low to find the items on this week's weather scavenger hunt.		Earth's Sky Scavenger Hunt Look to the sky and see if you can spot all 12 items on the scavenger hunt this week.		Diurnal, Nocturnal, Crepuscular Scavenger Hunt Using all your senses, see if you can find all 16 scavenger hunt items.

Common Invasive Exotic Species Scavenger Hunt This week, let's go out and see if you can spot any of these invasive species in your yard.		Citizen Science Scavenger Hunt This week you become the scientist. Document your finds to become a citizen scientist.

Scavenger Hunt Challenges

 

Try your hand at one of these challenging Nature Hunts. See if you can find
all of the items and then share your discoveries on our Facebook page.
Good luck!

Nature Scavenger Hunt The kids shouldn't have all the fun. Here is a challenging nature scavenger hunt. We encourage you to find them all and share with us on Facebook.		Nature Signs Grab your camera and get creative with nature. Can you spot all the letters of your name outside? Look at our example and then create one of your own.		Nature Scavenger Hunt There are lots of things happening out in nature this week and we have created a scavenger hunt to get you engaged in spring. Do you have what it takes to find them all?

Scavenger Hunt Looking to challenge yourself this week? Then head outside and find all 10 items on our adult scavenger hunt.		Scavenger Hunt New scavenger hunts every week! Head outside and find this week's items.		Scavenger Hunt Head outside to see what you can find!

Scavenger Hunt Head outside to see what you can find!		Bird Scavenger Hunt Birds the word this week. How many can you spot?		Warbler Scavenger Hunt Warblers are a group of small birds that migrate from as far as South America. They can be found in forest edges, thickets, underbrush, forest canopies, and shrubs. Head outside to see if you can find warblers singing their spring songs.

Breeding Birds Scavenger Hunt With the warmer weather it brings a variety of birds to the area. Are you able to spot these breeding birds?		Plants & Blooms Scavenger Hunt Plants are blooming. Take time to venture out and see what blooms you are able to find this week.		Invasive Species Scavenger Hunt Identification is the first step in combating invasive plants so native species can thrive. Some invasive species have native look-alikes. Can you spot the difference? Head outside to see what you can find!

Scavenger Hunt There are lots of beautiful creatures to find this week. Head outside to see how many you are able to spot!		Scavenger Hunt Head outside to see if you can find the plants and wildlife on the scavenger hunt.		Nature Scavenger Hunt Summer provides lots of exciting things to look for. This week, head outside and see if you can find all nine of these summer insects, flowers, birds and more.

Scavenger Hunt Take time this week and go on a nature scavenger hunt.		Woodpecker Scavenger Hunt Birds the word. Go outside this week to search for these woodpeckers.		Great Lakes Bay Scavenger Hunt Head outside to see if you can find these plants and animals. Are you able to spot all nine items?

Additional Resources

The Naturalists at Chippewa Nature Center challenge you to head outside and share your sightings. Keeping a safe distance from those outside your household, look high and low, while walking trails at CNC and share what kinds of plants and animals you can find this year.

Don’t know the name for a species? No problem, log it here and CNC Naturalists will help with identification and questions you may have. Log your observations and check out what everyone else is finding!

Nature at Home Activities from the Michigan DNR Looking for more ways to connect your children with nature during this time? Check out the resources provided by the Michigan DNR.		Check out the Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival World Tour virtually! The World Tour has gone virtual! Check it out!		Watch our NEW Spring Frogs Video! In early spring, you can hear the distinctive calls of three frog species throughout the woods of Michigan. Watch it now!

Create a Nature Journal Keeping a nature journal provides a way to remember what you have observed and record things you are curious about.		Spring Wildflowers Video Check out this video to learn more about a few spring wildflowers in our region. While some of these wildflowers are almost done blooming, others are just getting started.

Be a Steward of the Natural World

Become a steward for your own backyard or nearby natural space. Check out the resources below as well as our Facebook and Instagram pages to help you battle invasive plant species, add diversity to your landscape, create a welcoming place for wildlife and inspire those around you to care for our earth.

50 Ways to Care for the Earth There are lots of ways to care for the earth. Here are 50 to get you started. Share your results with us on our Facebook page.		Welcoming Wildlife Learn how to incorporate food, water, and shelter for wildlife in your outdoor space.		The Dish on Composting at Home Use these tips to get started with home composting.

Digging Into Soil Try this soil experiment to learn more!		Invasive Plants at Home Learn to identify 8 common invasive species that could be in your yard.		Building Bug Hotels Try this project to welcome beneficial insects to your yard.

Robin and Phoebe Nest Platform Plans Build your own robin and phoebe nest platforms using these plans. Once complete, we would love to see what you have built!		Tree Swallow-Bluebird Box Plans Tree swallow-bluebird boxes help encourage bluebirds to live in your yard and are easy to build. Watch Tom's video and build one today.		Books to Celebrate Earth Week Get into the spirit of the week with reading. Check out these books celebrating the earth for all ages.

Earth Week Video Celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day by connecting with CNC through Facebook, Instagram and our website during Earth Week (April 20-24, 2020) for activities, information and fun.		Nest Box Video Learn about building, placing and maintaining nest boxes with Tom Lenon, CNC’s Director of Land and Facilities.		Tackling Invasive Exotics Video Update your landscaping by removing a commonly planted invasive species – Japanese Barberry.

Removing Garlic Mustard Learn to care for nature by removing one of our most common invasive species – Garlic Mustard.		Transplanting Trees Learn tips for transplanting native trees on your property.		Inspired to Protect Nature CNC's Lindsey, Steve and Sherry share what inspires them about nature. What inspires you?

Be sure to visit Restoring with Nature to learn more about the partnership between Chippewa Nature Center and Well-Bean to encourage individuals and families to discover themselves in the natural world. Each season, the project will provide short mindfulness practices to help unplug from the busyness of life and arrive in the sheer presence of nature.