Just before Christmas, Aurora's Brownie Troop made coupons as Christmas gifts for their mothers and fathers. The coupons read:

• This coupon entitles you to 1 big hug.
• This coupon entitles you to 1 set table: knives, forks, spoons, napkins and even beverages.
• This coupon entitles you to the last cookie, serving of ice cream, bit of chocolate milk,…

Arriving at our backyard “sit spot,” Jade and I didn’t have to wait long before the familiar chickadee duo appeared in a nearby thicket and began chirping happily. A male robin patrolling his territory wasn’t far behind, his pulsing crimson breast pumping out a gorgeous melody. Next to emerge, seemingly out of thin air, was a pair of song sparrows, who began a staccato of “seep-seep” calls. “I’m here.” “Yes, I’m here too.”

Suddenly, like a lighting strike, the calm morning…

Once upon a time, harming a butterfly was a punishable crime. Hundreds of years ago, the Irish believed butterflies carried souls to heaven and interference was illegal. Ancient cultures worldwide have all cherished butterflies. Each butterfly lays it's eggs on a particular plant: Sulfurs choose Cassia.

It's impossible to count the different species of Sulfur butterflies. They fly in endless shades of white, yellow and orange. It's the result of massive hybridization; a unique feature…

Twas the night before Christmas, All the animals stood

In the crisp peaceful silence, Of their home in the wood.

The trees towered in might, Their branches did clatter,

As the squirrels come out, Of their nests, pitter patter.

The deer came together, they met, they communed

And from beyond the hilltop, rose the…

Three years ago I was introduced to a wonderful holiday celebration. Stephen was attending a great preschool and the holiday season was approaching. Notices came home saying that a Winter Walk was planned and parents were invited to join in. During the weeks prior to the walk-date the children strung popcorn and cranberries, dried fruit slices, covered pinecones with peanut butter and…

Please look at this Children's nature education blog: lorejayg.blogspt.com

http://facebook.com/joyce graham fogwill /joyce graham fogwill

I love to watch small often overlooked plant-animal interactions in nature. The stories - Bubs the…

Each year, I plant amaryllis bulbs for the holidays. I plant them for my house and for gifts. The recipients of these gifts vary, but their reaction to these gifts do not. All—family, friends, teachers, co-workers—who receive one of these dramatic plants are delighted and curious. There is something magical about a flower growing in the middle of winter. And there is something amazing…

Check out this amazing video put together by our very own Christian Alvarado!!!

http://youtu.be/49FLAzEjeXE

Christian Alvarado was introduced to the outdoors through the Sierra Club's Inner City Outings program at 15. Three years later he became a certified outdoor leader with Sierra Club and, at 19, part of the Children & Nature Network’s Natural Leaders Network. During this time he has traveled the country, camping,…

"Never before in human history have children lived so remote from nature," said Louv at a Community Action Toward Children's Health event on Saturday at Kelowna's Rotary Centre for the Arts.

"As computers take over more of our lives, it is so important to get kids outside for activity and play where they are engaged and use their imagination.…

Last Easter I was fortunate enough to spend a day at the Secret Garden Outdoor Nursery in Fife. It was one of those magical days which remain etched in my memory for many reasons. I was particularly bowled over by the numerous examples of literacy happening spontaneously. Very often, this is a concern raised by educators and parents... are the core skills being covered such as maths and language and if so, how, when children are…

The call for inclusion of environmental education into our formal curriculum requirements has gained little ground for decades. However, with the advent of the web and digital technology, the parameters of possibilities have changed and children now have the world at their fingertips and environmental education delivered through digital media has the tremendous potential to transform their worldview.

Appreciation of the natural world was a high priority in my family and environmental…

http://www.dahndesign.com/2012/11/30/to-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-grandfathers-house-i-go/