I’ve put together a 10-week challenge to encourage new naturalist discoveries as we continue to practice social distancing and wait for the coming vaccinations! Starting on Monday, Jan. 25, 2020 and running for ten week,

I invite you to select one of the 60 total activities designed to delight your senses, stimulate your curiosity, and remind you of the joy that springs up just by being outside in nature. When you’ve completed 10 activities, send an email to Susan (skylinebal@gmail.com) so she can add your name to the list of Coronavirus 2021 life-long learners on the Wenatchee Naturalist website. 

Below are six options for Week 1 – find one that tickles your fancy!

Read

What the Robin Knows: How Birds Reveal the Secrets of the Natural World by Jon Young. “…unites the indigenous knowledge, the latest research, and the author’s own experience of four decades in the field to lead us toward a deeper connection to the animals and, in the end, a deeper connection to ourselves.” Use your NCRL library card to arrange a drive-by pick up, or support a make an order through a local bookstore.

Listen

Get ready to listen and play “Bird Song Hero,” a sound-matching game to help you appreciate and visualize bird songs. Offered for free by Cornell Lab of Ornithology.

Watch

Xerces Society webinar: Building Pollinator Habitat in Towns and Cities: Pacific Northwest Region. Learn what plants pollinators need, how to provide nesting habitat & what steps you can take at home.

Journal

Take a free, online nature journal lesson from John Muir Laws. Options include watching a free instructional video.

Visit

Travel to a Washington Dept. of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) Wildlife Area in Chelan or Douglas County to take a nature walk. Use the link above to find a location. Be sure to take your DISCOVER Pass (Option to order online and print at home).

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Advocate

Engage with one or both of your U.S. Senators on a natural resource or conservation topic you care about. This web link provides all contact information.

Be sure to check out my Curious About… blog series. I launched it in March 2020 as a Coronavirus project, with over 30 posts to date. The series features native plants, wildlife, and lands to enjoy from our yards, neighborhoods, and viewsheds. 2020 blogs featured local guest writers including Betsy Dudash, Susan Peterson, Torsten Watkins, Jane Zanol, and Leslie Bigos. 2020 featured guest photographers including Frank Cone, Brendan Morrison, David Hillestad, Leslie Bigos, and Bruce McCammon. These gifted naturalists all shared their unique perspectives and insights with all of us.