Nature Guiding

Nature Guiding is the science of inculcating nature enthusiasm, nature principles, and nature facts into the spirit of individuals. "Doing" nature-study means observing, wondering, and solving problems. It could include collecting, building, measuring, painting, planning, writing, touching, experimenting or any of a wide range of other activities. Most importantly, it allows children to be "original investigators." This book is intended as a resource for teachers and students engaged in nature study at summer camps and in schools. William Gould Vinal believed that the teacher of nature study should be "in sympathy with the simple life and the country way," that the nature study should emphasize observation of the interactions of plants and animals in their environment, and not be reduced to matters of taxonomy and anatomy. In Nature Guiding, he offers advice to camp counselors and school teachers on incorporating nature study into everyday activities, as well as suggestions for parents and others about using visits to state and national parks to teach nature lore.

Showcases over 600 sites easily accessible by the amateur naturalist. Chapters describe how to get the most out of a nature trip, and provide overviews of Ontario's natural history and rich plant and animal life.

This concise pocketguide is a handy reference for families looking to explore their own backyard. Fully illustrated, it includes the East Coast’s most common birds, butterflies, mammals, trees, wildflowers and mushrooms. It includes information on how to recognize common bird songs and how to attract more butterflies and pollinators in your garden, plus discovery clues, observation calendars, flight patterns and much more. Packed with top tips, this is the essential nature guide to have at home!

The average child can identify over one thousand corporate logos, but only ten native plants or animals—a telling indictment of our modern disconnection from nature. Soaring levels of obesity, high rates of ADHD, feelings of stress and social awkwardness, and "Nature Deficit Disorder" are further unintended consequences of a childhood spent primarily indoors. The Big Book of Nature Activities is a comprehensive guide for parents and educators to help youth of all ages explore, appreciate and connect with the natural world. This rich, fully illustrated compendium features: Nature-based skills and activities such as species identification, photography, journaling, and the judicious use of digital technology Ideas, games, and activities grounded in what's happening in nature each season Core concepts that promote environmental literacy, such as climate change and the mechanisms and wonder of evolution, explained using a child-friendly, engaging approach Lists of key species and happenings to observe throughout the year across most of North America Perfect for families, educators, and youth leaders , The Big Book of Nature Activities is packed with crafts, stories, information and inspiration to make outdoor learning fun. Jacob Rodenburg is the Executive Director of the Camp Kawartha summer camp and outdoor education centre. As well as publishing numerous articles on children, nature and the environment, he has worked in the field of outdoor education for twenty-five years. Drew Monkman is an award-winning environmental advocate, naturalist, and retired teacher. In addition to his weekly nature column, Drew is the author of two season-based nature guides, including Nature's Year.

With dozens of simple prompts and exercises, best-selling author, naturalist, and artist Clare Walker Leslie invites you to step outside for just a few minutes a day, reignite your sense of wonder about the natural world, and discover the peace and grounding that come from connecting with nature. Using stunning photography as well as the author's own original illustrations, The Curious Nature Guide will inspire you to use all of your senses to notice the colors, sounds, smells, and textures of the trees, plants, animals, birds, insects, clouds, and other features that can be seen right outside your home, no matter where you live. Sketch or write about one exceptional nature image each day; learn to identify cloud types and the weather they bring; or create a record of what you see each day as you walk your dog. Easy, enjoyable, and enlightening, these simple exercises will transform your view of the world and your place within it.

The Nature Guide to Atlantic Canada lets you discover the wonderful diversity of nature that lies right outside your front door. Whether you live in the city or in the country, hundreds of species of plants and animals share your living space. Get to know your neighbours! Covering every square inch of Atlantic's Canada's incredibly varied landscape, this book helps you identify over 400 species of mammals, birds. Amphibians, retiles, invertebrates, fish, trees, shrubs, herbs, grasses and ferns. This latest nature guide for Atlantic Canada is the perfect resource for anyone- teachers, parents, students, children's groups-interested in learning more about nature in their backyard and beyond.

The Ontario Nature Guide lets you discover the wondrous diversity of nature that lies right outside your front door. Covering every inch of Ontario's incredibly varied landscape, this book teaches you to identify 382 species of mammals, birds, amphibians, reptiles, fish, invertebrates, trees, shrubs, herbs, grasses and ferns: * Colour illustrations of each species * Native uses of plants * Animal behaviour * Ecology and range * Similar species cross-referenced * Colour maps showing ecoregions, parks and nature areas across Ontario.

The acclaimed author and science illustrator presents an engaging and enlightening guide to the bizarre and surprising wildlife all around us. In the same lighthearted yet scientifically accurate style of Fylling’s Illustrated Guide to Pacific Coast Tide Pools, this compact guidebook reveals the splendidly strange animals and plants just outside your door. Marni Fylling’s full-color illustrations make species identification a snap, and concise descriptions include fascinating (and sometimes grotesque) factoids about frequently encountered plants, insects, arachnids, birds, and mammals. With Fylling’s guidance, the everyday becomes extraordinary: Pigeons share nest-building and egg-sitting duties, and mate for life—with occasional dalliances; squirrel teeth grow about six inches per year; spiders owe their characteristic creep to their “hydraulic” legs; poison oak and poison ivy’s itch-inducing oil is also found in pistachios, cashews, and mangoes; and much, much more.