On Sunday, June 11, JFiN (Jericho Families in Nature) facilitated a walk for families at Old Red Mill Park in Jericho, Vermont.
Outside, observing, experiencing,
the multitude, the diversity, the daily going ons of LIFE.
We missed the critters who were eating lunch here. I wonder what they had for dessert.
We came to a junction and voted on which way to go.
Some took the trail on the left, and some took the trail on the right.
We all met up near the beaver pond.
A little climbing up and over.
Some of us wondered what made the tree fall over.
Asking ourselves questions about what we observe, helps us to think about and understand more about life - that is in some ways different than ours and in some ways similar - that we find in nature.
And some of us took a bus ride.
We talked about what beavers eat, noted the trees they had chewed down, and observed the beaver dam.
They look like campfire marshmallows.
Spotted the beaver dam just upstream.
A number of folks journaled along the way.
Writing notes about observations and drawing some as well.
A good way to reflect and consider what you observe, and experience
and how you feel about it all.
Discovering animals' homes, what they use to build their homes, as well as what they eat.
They use mud and sticks to build their homes - how cool is that?
How do they keep warm in the winter?
Perhaps wood chips for beavers are like potato chips for people only healthier.
Abbey read to the group: Beaver Pond Moose Pond by Jim Arnosky
The story helped us know how when a beaver dams up a waterway and thereby makes a pond, it becomes a habitat and home suitable not only for the beaver but also for many other animals.
Sometimes seeking a particular sighting like a beaver or a beaver dam, can entice us to explore the outdoors. Once outside if we remain open to seeing and experiencing whatever we come upon, our walks can offer us more than we set out to see.
Run and Fun are in the same family.
"He wandered, as I wandered, putting himself in the path of miracles that sometimes happen – a grouse that flushes, a weasel that runs across your path, a raccoon draped across a limb, or a goshawk dashing through the trees." - Pete Dunne Bird Guide author
The JFiN team will continue to tweak the program to help facilitate enjoyable outdoor-in-nature family events.
Watch FPF for announcements of future walks.
Families: make time for unorganized time in nature. Put nature on the calendar - sign up for a JFiN walk.
Our shared commitment | Connect children and their families to nature through time spent walking along Jericho’s natural areas, exploring, observing, discovering, and playing, outdoors. & Create and support direct, hands-on opportunities for people of all ages to reconnect to the natural world; in doing so foster a community dedicated to building an understanding of natural ecosystems and the inherent biodiversity within those systems. - Our by-line: “The highest high is the high of discovery” E.O. Wilson - - The excitement at finding each new species fuels the excitement and passion. |
Goals | 1.) Nurture curiosity, pro-environmental behaviors, and joyful learning in nature through spontaneous experiences. Improve observation and naturalist skills. - 2.) Facilitate an enjoyable, outdoor natural area experience. - 3.) Encourage routines of connection with nature. - - |
On Sunday, June 11, JFiN (Jericho Families in Nature) facilitated a walk for families at Old Red Mill Park in Jericho, Vermont. 
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