The Monarch butterflies are back overwintering at the Ellwood Nature Preserve in Goleta, Ca.. It is worth going there to witness this amazing phenomenon. It is best to get there in the early afternoon when the sun is shining to warm them up so that they are slightly more active and flying around. The trails can be very muddy after a rainy day. Follow the signs. They are located approximately in the center of the preserve in a grove of Eucalyptus trees. They certainly aren't there in the numbers that they used to be, but at least they are back. 
Do you know how to tell the difference between the male and female Monarch? Check out the photo on my website under "MORE..." and then go to the "KIDS" tab. Scroll down  to find out. 

I have just added a page elaborating on this extremely important theme/action/relationship/mindset. It can be found under "NATURE-BASED LEARNING".
I was introduced to the Honorable Harvest when reading Robin Wall Kimmerer's book BRAIDING SWEETGRASS.  I have put the description into my own words, along with hers, to make it more child-friendly. Check out more of her YouTube videos.

QUESTING/GOING ON A QUEST
Check out the new page “QUESTING” in the Nature-Based Learning section.                                                                          
What is questing? It is my simple way of saying going on a quest. A quest is usually described as a journey or an adventure, and involves looking or searching for something. It is often believed to be long and difficult, but it does not have to be. The element of challenge, however, is important. It is an active process, a verb, but can also be a noun, both the act and the action taken to achieve it. It is frequently intentional, although what may be discovered along the way, in the process, will most likely include lots of surprises. There is tremendous value in setting an intention, articulating a goal, and actively pursuing something. Outcomes have a better chance of being impacted. Directions in one's life may be chosen. A sense of personal power may be derived from taking charge. Self-esteem is built from experiencing success and accomplishment. This idea/concept works so well with children. I hope some of my activity suggestions on the Questing page are useful. 
A few ideas:

• Brainstorm all the things that you can think of that are related to going on a quest.
• Brainstorm possible quests (for example, to see particular flora or fauna, to find something special, or to discover something new).
• Ask questions in the process.
• Sing a song (Suggestions on the Questing page).
• Write a poem or make up a new song.
• And More….

 
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September 3, 2022
 
I recently read a book entitled A Book of Hope, a Survival Guide for Trying Times written by Jane Goodall and Douglas Abrams that I highly recommend. I needed the inspiration and hope for our future that was expressed by Jane in dialogue with Doug. Very briefly, the four reasons she gave to have hope are as follows:
(1) The amazing human intellect which includes creativity and inventiveness, and when put to good use can come up with innovative solutions to problems we face, particularly when a “new universal moral code” is applied to benefit all living creatures.
(2) The resilience of nature that enables nature as a whole or its parts to heal even in the face of human destruction or natural disasters.
(3) The power of young people when they are educated and given opportunities with support to take action.
(4) The indomitable human spirit to persevere with “grit and determination” to overcome problems, calling upon our inner strength and courage.
This book contains the many pearls of wisdom including the following:
* A close connection to the natural world is essential for true wisdom and for healing to occur.
* She talks about the term “eco-grief” or “eco-anxiety”, which refers to the “whole range of feelings…including helplessness, depression, fear, fatalism, resignation” people may have while witnessing the human devastation of natural systems.
* In addition to having hope, Jane states that we also “need to respond with fear and anger about what is happening,” and take action. Community action is necessary to effect change. Everyone has a contribution to make and can make a difference. “Millions of drops make an ocean.” We need each other. Jane quotes a famous saying, “We have not inherited the Earth from our ancestors but borrowed it from our children.” She further states, “And yet we have not borrowed it from our children (and all future generations). We have stolen it! When you borrow something, the expectation is that you will repay.” 
* Social justice and environmental justice go together and cannot be addressed in isolation.

If you go to Lake Los Carneros, look for the nest boxes set up on poles. There are 22 scattered around the lake. They are designed to attract either Western Bluebirds or Tree Swallows, and are quite successful in doing so. Most of them house Tree Swallows, but there are a few inhabited by the Bluebirds. Look for the birds flying around or sitting on top of a box. The Tree Swallow nests are lined with lots of feathers, while the Bluebird nests are not. PLEASE, DO NOT DISTURB THEM. ​

I asked myself why are birds so important. Why do I have such a fascination with birds? Why am I increasingly more interested in birds the more I learn about them? Why is this a meaningful pastime? So I wrote an essay collecting my thoughts on this subject/question. You can find it via the button on the "Birds and Bird Sits" page. 

Check out my new instructional video on the KIDS page. 

Today, I added information about Nature Mandalas and Honorable and Respectful Harvesting on my website. To sum it up very briefly...
Nature Mandalas are works of art using natural materials gathered from the locations in which they are created using Honorable and Respectful Harvesting principles. 
With children, I refer to the term "Respectful Harvesting" and make sure that they understand what that means.