Giving Back
This week we are
talking about giving back to the earth. As consumers we buy items that take a
lot of resources from the earth. However we often don’t think about how to
replenish these resources. This issue is actually the main problem when it
comes to any environmental issue. We take and consume from the earth but we don’t
take the action to replenish the source for future use. However as I have mentioned before we don’t
want to bombard our little ones with the negativity of human related issues
that they cannot grasp. Instead we should teach them how to love and be compassionate
to our earth. Let’s teach them to show compassion by “giving back”. Giving back
will hopefully teach them the basis for future understanding that we must replace
our resources and not to take advantage of the precious land around us. Nature
play is easy to implement in these types of activities. We are getting into
nature in order to give back, so each encounter gets us outside directly with
hands on.
Taking Action
You can take action by giving back in
many different ways. Put something out that the animals can directly consume
like bird feeders or squirrel snacks. Or sharing your space by making toad abodes
or bug hotels is also beneficial. There are plenty of ideas, just use your
imagination. Try some of these ideas at home with your children.
1.
Squirrel Snacks
I see a lot of squirrels and birds eating
unnatural foods and carrying unnecessary body fat because of the food scrapes
we leave behind. If we are going to contribute to squirrels’ diet, why not
provide something healthy. This a great way to show our kids what is an
appropriate diet for different animals. You can simply string hemp, rope or
craft string with rings of fruits and vegetables. In the picture above they
used left over orange peels for seed “holders”.
2.
Sharing Spaces
Sharing the space
we have with the surrounding wildlife is also a great way to give back. There
are several ways you can share your space. Toad abodes are simple and
versatile. They are made with plant pots or any cup shaped tool and you dig the
pot half into the dirt creating a little hidey house.
Bug hotels are another
nifty home for insects and maybe some small reptiles. The idea with bug hotels
is to create a space with lots of different “pockets” for the insects to hide
in. This project is also very versatile to your imagination.
3.
Planting For Friends
There are also
many plants you can bring into your home garden to encourage the flourishment
of the environment. Planting native plants, whether flowers or vegetables can
provide a habitat for different insects, birds, or small mammals. Here are some
beneficial and native plants to add to your garden:
1.
Purple
Coneflower, Echinacea purpurea: This beautiful purple flower in the garden attracts
bees, butterflies and hummingbirds.
2. Cardinal Flower, Lobelia cardinalis The bright red flowers lasting from July to October
make Cardinal Flower a favorite for attracting hummingbirds.
3.
Beauty
Berry, Callicarpa americana is a coarse textured shrub with opposite leaves
and small light lavender sessile flowers which are fragrant and attractive to
beneficial insects.
4.
Butterflyweed, Asclepias
tuberosa is a bushy perennial
with bright orange flowers that attract butterflies and hummingbirds.
These are just a few ideas that can
help you teach your little one how easy it is to care for and nourish our local
environment right outside the back door. Sending creative vibes your way!
Photo Sources
Squirrel feeders; http://sherisilver.com
Bug
Hotel; http://vintagewithlaces.blogspot.com/
Butterfly Milkweed; http://monarchbutterflygarden.net/milkweed-plant-seed-resources/asclepias-tuberosa-butterfly-weed/
