Natural Wonder:Learning About Nature by Experiencing Nature

Natural Wonder

Learning About Nature By Experiencing Nature

Children on a Children's Nature Institute nature walk making a spider discovery before even hitting the trail!

Young children have a natural sense of wonder. Moments are filled with the immediate. When children are in the outdoors their senses are stimulated, their hearts beat fast, their minds are filled with questions about what they see, feel, hear, smell. If young children are allowed this awe-filled experience in nature their connection to the Earth will be personal and visceral. So often, however, we expose very young children to the “idea” of the environment rather than giving them the “experience” of their environment.

Environmental education often takes place indoors and is often filled with images of distant rain forests and tales of suffering antarctic creatures. Children, being openly empathetic towards other creatures are easily effected by this information. If this is their initial and primary connection to the natural world – through a feeling of despair for a far away place – nature becomes something abstract, distant, and in pain.

I propose that we give young children, who have not yet developed the capacity for abstraction, an introduction to nature through the joy of wonder and discovery. Let children play outside and connect to the world just around them. Let us help them build a love for the environment they can touch, feel, see, smell, and hear. Children want to know more about that which they love. When they do grow older and hear tales of far-off places the distance on a map may be great but their personal connection could not be closer.

"If love comes first, knowledge is sure to follow." - John Burroughs

Resources

There are several books and magazines that promote connecting children to nature by taking them into nature. You can also check the links on the right for organizations that offer nature programs for youth. If you know of any additional resources please share!

Beyond Ecophobia – Reclaiming the Heart in Nature Education – David Sobel

Last Child in the Woods – Richard Louv

Place-Based Education – David Sobel

Small Wonders- Nature Education for Young Children – Linda Garrett, et al

Sharing Nature With Children – Joseph Bharat Cornell

Biophillia – E.O. Wilson

10 Fun Ways to Enjoy the Great Outdoors (Parents Magazine article) – Winifred Yu

The Way We Live Now – Natural Happiness (New York Times Magazine article) – Paul Bloom

- Ilana Gustafson Turner

April Nature p.L.A.y. Calendar of Events (part 2)

*********************************************************************************************************

Say goodbye to Where do the Children Play L.A. and Say hello to:

Nature P.L.A.Y.

Nature Places for Los Angeles Youth

*********************************************************************************************************

April

Nature p.L.A.y.

Calendar of Events

(Part 2)

"We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children." -Native American Proverb

Earth day is on April 22nd and it is a chance to connect your children to the idea of stewardship of the planet. Children, I believe, have a natural affinity toward the outdoors but they must be shown by the example of adults how to care for it. There are plenty of opportunities to share the wonder and the fragility of our Earth with your children this month, from a Whale Fesitval to park restoration. Have a beautiful Earth Day!

Weekend

Saturday 4/18 is the beginning of National Park Week (4/18 – 4/26). Now, I know this is not L.A. specific, but I think our National Parks have the invaluable ability to turn anyone into a nature-lover upon fist sight. The highlight of the week is Jr. Ranger Day on 4/25 at National Parks across the State of California. Plan a school or community or family trip!

Local fun is abundant on Saturday as well:

Kidspace is celebrating the culmination of their 13th annual caterpillar adoption with a Butterfly Release! There will be games, activities and live music. The museum opens at 10am the release happens at 2pm.

Malibu Creek State Park is having their regularly scheduled Fun With Nature from 12:30 – 2:30pm with games, crafts and exhibits at the nature center. Parking fee.

Sunday 4/19 join the Sierra Club as they celebrate John Muir’s birthday with a hike in Topanga State Park. There are several hikes that will converge at Trippet Ranch for a picnic party from 12 – 1pm in celebration of this important naturalist. A family hike takes off from Dead Horse at 10am and is 3 hours round trip. Bring water, lunch, and your best birthday hat! Information 310-559-3126.*

There is another celebration happening on Sunday.  In honor of our beloved cetacean friends, the 13th annual Whale Festival will take place at beautiful Leo Carillo State Park in northern Malibu from 10am – 4pm.  Live entertainment, whale-watching stations, arts and crafts, music and food are all a part of the day’s events.  Experienced naturalists will be on hand to help participants spot and identify gray whales and bottlenose dolphin right from the beach!  Parking $10 or free for schools with pre-arranged reservations. For more information contact: (805) 488-1827 x106 or malibuinterp@gmail.com or visit the website www.malibuinterp.com.

Week of Monday 4/20 through Friday 4/24

Suggestion for your week:

On 4/23 Children’s Nature Institute is having a Garden Planting and Watering Party at Fern Canyon Trail in Griffith Park from 10am – 12pm. Come celebrate Earth Day by caring for this very special garden that was created by children with CNI in the fall to help restore the fire-destroyed trail.  There is a $10 suggested donation. All ages are welcome.

On 4/24 share the splendor of the spring night sky with your child at Charmlee Wilderness Park from 7:30 – 9:30pm.

Weekend

Saturday 4/25 the California State Parks Foundation is celebrating Earth Day by offering opportunities to clean and restore some local parks. Ballona Wetlands, Rio De Los Angeles State Historic Park, and Malibu Creek State Park are some of the beautiful places where your family can offer some helping hands from 9am – 1pm.*

Sunday 4/26 there is yet another chance to celebrate Earth Day! Star Eco Station in Culver City will be having a celebration especially designed for children with music, games, environmental heroes, and more in honor of the Earth from 10am -4pm.

On Sunday you could also celebrate our beautiful Earth by admiring it’s feathered friends. There will be Birdwatching for Young Children and Parents at Malibu Lagoon State Park from 10- 11am. They provide the binoculars!

Week of Monday 4/27  through Friday 5/1

Suggestion for your week:

Descanso Gardens is in full Spring gear! Wisteria, lilacs, irises, and tulips are just some of the flowers now making a showing. There is always something to do at Descanso from “fossil” digs to nature strolls to train rides. You can also enjoy a cup of tea as you watch the Koi swim merrily through the pond in the Japanese garden. Or you can take in the soothing smells of the blooming lilac garden. There is a lot to do so plan to make a day of it!

*FREE

-Ilana Gustafson Turner

April Nature p.L.A.y. Calendar of Events (part 1)

*********************************************************************************************************

Say goodbye to Where do the Children Play L.A. and Say hello to:

Nature P.L.A.Y.

Nature Places for Los Angeles Youth

*********************************************************************************************************

April

Nature p.L.A.y.

Calendar of Events

(Part 1)

April hath put a spirit of youth in everything. - William Shakespeare | Photo by Chandra Renee Walker

This month is full of opportunities to celebrate the gregarious Spring! Subtlety is left behind with the memories of winter and in it’s place we find the vibrant colors and busy activity of flowers in full bloom, birds noisily singing, and bugs and reptiles basking in the warmer weather. Children too are brimming with excitement at all the energy of Spring! Take your child outside and let them rejoice along with the flora and fauna!

Weekend

Saturday 4/4 is a wonderful opportunity to spend the day at the 419-acre urban natural wonderland that is Whittier Narrows. The caring docents are presenting “Spring Fling” at the nature center from 10am – 2pm, with crafts, live animal presentations, nature walks, and an adventure hunt. For more info please call (626) 575-5523.*

Sunday 4/5 you can get your fill of the blossoms the season has to offer with your choice of two Spring walks:

“Charming” Charmlee Wilderness Park (see feature) offers a “Wildflower Hike” from 10am – 12pm. Make a reservation by calling 310-317-1364; $4 parking fee.

… And a Topanga State Park naturalist will show you the “Springtime Splendor” from 1-3pm.*

Go to one… or both!

Week of Monday 4/6 through Friday 4/10

Suggestion for your week:

There is a place you can take your child  that  features walking trails, streams, meadows, oak savannahs, picnic grounds, and a nature-themed playground amidst native Mediterranean vegetation. Oh, but you don’t have the time to travel very far? Well, no problem Angelenos. Vista Hermosa Park is practically located in your back yard! Visit this Downtown oasis and let your child explore the wonders of nature just outside the shadow of skyscrapers.*

Weekend

Saturday 4/11 there are two egg hunts in two beautiful natural settings to choose from. Give your children a chance to apply that investigative eye necessary for the development of a future scientist and have  great fun while they’re at it!

Descanso Gardens‘ “Egg Hunt’ begins at 9:30 a.m. and is repeated every 45 minutes until 2 p.m. $5 – includes basket and treats.

The Los Angeles County Arboretum will also have, what they call, “The Great Easter Egg Hunt” from 10am – 2pm, with games, crafts, and photo opportunities. Free with park admission.

Sunday 4/12 wake up with the “Morning Birds” at King Gillette Ranch on a docent-led walk from 8am – 10am.*

Week of Monday 4/13 through Friday 4/17

Suggestion for your week:

If last week’s visit to Downtown’s Vista Hermosa Park made you say, “Hey! Why aren’t there more places like this in the middle of L.A.?”,  then you might be interested in Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Area. This park, located just off of La Cienega Blvd.,  features 5 miles of trails through coastal sage scrub habitat as well as a lotus pond, a lake, and picnic sites.*

(Part 2 of our April Calendar of Events coming soon)

*FREE

-Ilana Gustafson Turner