Nature Connection Challenge - Day 92

Nature Connection Challenge Day 92 - Create Shadow Art

Find a partner and go find a place to stand in the sun. While one person stands, in whatever position they’d like, allow the other person to lay twigs around their shadow. Then switch places and repeat the  process. Afterwards, perhaps you want to fill the outline of your shadow with whatever treasures you can find. Have fun and enjoy your time. Share with us the story of your experience in whatever way feels right to you. We look forward to hearing about it!

Nature Connection Challenge - Day 91

Nature Connection Challenge - Day 91 - Have a Camp Out

Sleeping outdoors can be a great way to attune your body to the rhythms of nature, unwind, and have some unplugged fun. You don’t have to go far from home to enjoy a night out under the stars, though. If you can’t get to a faraway camping destination, try pitching a tent in your backyard or find a local campground. Enjoy falling asleep to the sounds of nature and waking up to sunlight and birds chirping.

Nature Connection Challenge - Day 90

Nature Connection Challenge Day 90 - Go for a Waterfall Hike

There’s something magical about hiking to a waterfall, and believe it or not, there are many waterfall hikes in Maine! Today we challenge you to walk a trail that includes a waterfall - or make plans to visit one of these trails in the near future. Need help finding one? Try the links below to articles describing waterfall hikes in Maine. Also, you may want to check out a Through the Trees’ staff favorite waterfall hike in Phippsburg, Maine: Bijhouwer Forest Easement.

This article lists 25 waterfalls in Maine.

7 Hiking Trails in Maine with Waterfalls

Nature Connection Challenge - Day 89

Nature Connection Challenge Day 89 - Look Under Leaves and Logs

Today our challenge is to spend a little time exploring the dark, damp habitats of critters that live under leaves and logs. Carefully, roll back a small log or look under dead leaves to see what lives underneath. You may find worms, insects, salamanders and more! Be sure to be gentle if handling any of these beings and put them back in their homes and leave their habitat as you found it.

Nature Connection Challenge - Day 88

Nature Connection Challenge - Day 88 - Write a Nature-Inspired Poem

Have you ever heard of a Triante poem? Todays challenge is to use this poetry structure to write a poem about your sensory experience in nature. In a Triante, the first line has one word, the second line two words and so on. In this particular poem, each line will also represent one of the senses.

Here’s how it works:

1. Line one - one word (title)

2. Line two - two words (smell)

3. Line three - three words (touch)

4. Line four - four words (sound)

5. Line five - five words (sight)

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Here is an Example:

Spring
Smells Fresh
Wet Grass Underfoot
Birds Chirp Their Symphony
Wildflowers Paint Color Across Everything

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Have fun crafting a poem or two of your own. We would love it if you would share your poetry with us on instagram or Facebook!

Nature Connection Challenge - Day 87

Nature Connection Challenge - Day 87 - Breathe With A Tree

Research shows that deep breathing can reduce stress, improve immune function and reduce pain in the body. A recent study in Japan shows that being in an area with lots of trees can have a similar stress reducing effect. Trees give off chemicals called phytoncides which strengthen the immune system when you breathe them in. Todays challenge combines these two powerful techniques to promote mental and physical well being. Take time to connect with a tree and take some deep, cleansing breaths.

Here’s how to breathe with a tree:

1. Go outside in your yard, a park or a forest and find a tree that you find beautiful or interesting.

2. Find a comfortable place to sit with your special tree in sight.

3. Starting with your gaze at the base of the tree trunk, take a deep breath in. As you inhale, slowly move your gaze from the base of the tree to the top. Hold at the top for a couple seconds, then slowly release as you move your gaze back to the base of the tree.

4. Do this 3-5 more times, trying to increase the length and depth of your breath each time.

5. Be kind to yourself and give yourself a chance to release your stress and breathe in the healing power of your tree.

6. Take a moment to tune into your body and mind before you return to your life. Do you feel different?

Nature Connection Challenge - Day 86

Nature Connection Challenge Day 86 - Build a Shelter (Fort)

There are many types of shelters - some are more complicated and some are very simple. Some use only natural materials, while others use synthetic cordage and tarps. While there are strategic methods for building weather-tight shelters, it is also fun to create your own, however you feel drawn to do so. It doesn’t need to be anything more than a space to play or be in. Shelter (or fort) building without any instruction allows creativity and a learning process to take place naturally.

Today, we challenge you to build a shelter/fort outside with any materials you have. Gather sticks or fallen branches, rocks, a tarp or old sheet, or dig a hole in the ground! Try different things and, most importantly have fun!

Nature Connection Challenge - Day 85

Nature Connection Challenge Day 85 - Look for Butterflies

Today, go outside and look for butterflies! Notice what flowers they are attracted to and how much time they spend at each flower. Observe their travels and how high they fly or how they flutter with the breeze. How many butterflies can you spot today?

Nature Connection Challenge - Day 84

Nature Connection Challenge - Day 84 - Go on a Nature Scavenger Hunt

Going on a scavenger hunt can be a fun way for people of all ages to engage their senses and expand awareness of nature’s abundance. Slow down, pay attention and see what you can find.

Try to find:

1. An oak leaf

2. An acorn

3. A maple leaf

4. A birch tree

5. A smooth rock

6. A twisted stick

7. An animal footprint

8. A bird’s nest

9. A pinecone

10. A fern

11. A mushroom

12. A cloud that looks like an animal

13. 3 different kinds of wildflowers

Feel free to add more things of your own to the list and HAVE FUN!

Nature Connection Challenge - Day 83

Nature Connection Challenge Day 83 - Establish a Sit Spot Outside

Today we challenge you to locate a place that can be a designated Sit Spot outside. this place should feel safe, comfortable and ideally be a place you can visit daily or a few times a week. It may be a spot on the ground under a tree. It could be a rock by a stream. Perhaps it’s a grassy area in your backyard or even on your front steps. If you are not able to get outside, making a comfortable space by a window overlooking the world outdoors can also be a Sit Spot.

Once you have found a sit spot location that you are happy with, sit or lie down and get comfortable. Take a few deep breaths and just be. Notice the happenings around you. Observe the tree, plant, animal, and insect beings. Use your senses to hear, smell, feel, see, and even taste your surroundings. Close your eyes, if you wish.

Establishing a Sit Spot space and including making time - even 5 minutes - to visit this spot daily helps to strengthen your connection to nature, which in turn relieves stress and supports overall wellness. Sit Spot is something both adults and children can do. Children may need to begin with only a couple minutes of quiet in their sit spot, and may wish to increase that duration as they are able.

Nature Connection Challenge - Day 82

Nature Connection Challenge - Day 82 - Forage Red Clover

Red Clover (Trifolium pretense) is an edible and medicinal plant. It is known as a blood cleanser and deoxer in the herbalist community. Blossoms and leaves are used in tea and tinctures. As food, red clover leaves and blossoms are added to salads, soups and sauteed with vegetables.

Your challenge today is to locate red clover in an area where no pesticides or herbicides have been sprayed and collect some of the plants. Be sure you have permission to forage on the land if it is not your own. Remember to harvest responsibly, only taking a small amount of each plant (although red clover is found in abundance in many areas!). How will you use red clover?

Disclaimer

Nature Connection Challenge - Day 81

Nature Connection Challenge - Day 81 - Make Pounded Flower Art

Today’s Challenge is to use the natural pigments of leaves and flowers to create a piece of process art. This is fun for adults and kids alike, and can produce beautiful results.

Here’s how it’s done:

1. Start by going on a walk or visiting your garden to find leaves and flowers to work with. You're looking for things with bright colors that aren't too juicy or too dry. It'll take a little trial and error to find good plants, so grab a variety and play around.

2. Gather your materials. You’ll need some watercolor paper or white cotton cloth, paper towels, a hammer and a sturdy cutting board or log slice to pound on.

3. Arrange your leaves and flowers on your paper or cloth, cover with a paper towel and use your hammer to gently and evenly pound the flowers and leaves until they release their pigment.

4. Remove the paper towel and gently peel your plants off the paper to reveal your artwork. If there are bits of plants stuck to your paper, let them dry for a bit and they will brush off easily.

5. Experiment with which plants and flowers work best and have fun!

Nature Connection Challenge - Day 80

Nature Connection Challenge - Day 80 - Look for Animal Tracks in the Mud

There is abundant wildlife all around us, but unless we are really looking, we don’t always see the signs of them. Today, see if you can find a muddy spot, dried up stream bed or sandy spot and look closely for wildlife tracks. If you don’t have a naturally occurring spot, you could make a mud puddle or smooth sandy spot, put out some bird seed and see if any animals walk through. Deer, coyote, fox, possum. raccoon and rabbits are all likely visitors. What can you learn about these animal friends by looking at their tracks?

Nature Connection Challenge - Day 79

Nature Connection Challenge Day 79 - Paint with Water

For today’s challenge, grab a couple paintbrushes, a small cup of water and head outside to do some water painting! Kids love this activity, because they can paint just about anything and their artwork will last just long enough to enjoy before it disappears. Try painting on tree trunks, rocks, the front steps, sidewalk, fence or the side of your home. Have fun!

Nature Connection Challenge - Day 78

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. Ask this question 3 times for each sense and then move on to the next.

Hearing: Outside I hear? Inside I feel?
Smell: Outside I smell? Inside I feel?
Touch: Outside I feel? Inside I feel?
Sense: Outside I sense? Inside I feel?
Finish with “ I am grateful for?

Have fun and enjoy your time.  If you are not able to go outdoors then perhaps you can sit in front of an open window. Share with us the story of your experience in whatever way feels right to you. We look forward to hearing about them!