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 Nature-Oriented Parenting Newsletter

The following are selected excerpts to help parents and grandparents establish a "natural education" with the children in their lives!  Please continue reading and learn how to receive Nature-Oriented Parenting 4 times a year.

Please click the links below to download copies of our past newsletters:

Issue 1-Feb08

Issue 2-June 08

Issue 3 - September 08

Issue 4-Jan 08

Issue 5-Fall 09

Winter 09

spring%2010

Never stop learning about the natural world…

My name is Adam DeWitte, Assistant Director of Education and Naturalist with the Cradle of Forestry Interpretive Association. We are a non-profit organization based out of Brevard, NC, that helps to promote the Cradle of Forestry historical site and conservation and forestry education on a national level. In one way or another, I’ve spent most of my life outdoors, whether building tree houses, leading hikes or identifying birds. It is my privilege to work for a group of people so committed to helping families discover the power of nature, and this is what I’d like to share with you! Nature-Oriented Parenting was designed by the CFIA in efforts to rejuvenate our children’s sense of wonder and interaction with the natural world. Each quarter we’ll be giving parents and grandparents a practical how-to guide for building a fundamental connection between their children and nature through articles, games and advice. As with anything in life, it takes time for kids to build this connection, but it can be done! Please feel free to call, 828-884-5713 ext.24, or email, adamcfaia@citcom.net, with any ideas, comments or questions that you might have concerning this newsletter. Together, we can reconnect children and nature, and learn a few things along the way!

                                                                    Wildlife Spotlight: Black Bear                 
Few thoughts trouble a wilderness hiker or camper more than a 300lb. campsite visitor that demands something to eat and refuses to leave anything in return. What a black bear (ursus americanus) lacks in manners it makes up for in wonder and fascination as one of the U.S.’s largest and most misunderstood mammals. Myth: bears are aggressive, ferocious creatures that prey on lone hikers and look for any way possible to get into trouble. Fact: bears are shy, easily frightened and will only come into contact with humans if absolutely necessary. Myth: a bear would rather eat humans and small dogs that venture too far from home. Fact: bears regulate what they eat . A normal meal consists of insects, berries, grubs, roots, small rodents and even various plant leaves. Myth: bears must have bad eyesight and sense of smell to have to stand up like that when something approaches. Fact: bears have eyesight equal to a human, but have a nose that is 7 times more sensitive than a bloodhound. They stand up to take sniffs of the air around them and adequately determine exactly who or what they are dealing with. They are so accurate that they can tell the difference between people and animals by sniffing a footprint in the dirt. Myth: like other mammals, bears hibernate because of the return of freezing temperatures. Fact: bears hibernate because of the dwindling food supply. If need be, they could easily survive freezing conditions thanks to their thick fur, but a lack of all the foods that they rely on means shutting down for the season and storing energy. Myth: females will have their babies at the same time as other mammals-in the spring. Fact: yes, female bears will become pregnant in late spring and early summer, but have a unique system that holds off development until the right time. When she packs on enough pounds to survive an entire winter, her body will naturally develop and give birth to the babies while she hibernates! 1-3 cubs will nurse from the mother through the entire winter and continue to grow and gain weight while mom sleeps. She wakes only long enough to clean the newborns after birth. The small family will emerge in spring, ready to explore and claim their territory throughout our forests of North America!

So you want to find a bird’s nest?                           Follow these easy steps:

Get your family to where the birds are!  There may or may not be a nest in your backyard,  but chances are you’ll find more nests if you head to a wooded area or field with natural vegetation.

1. Follow the sounds of upset birds.  All birds have a “pip” sound that they make when a human or predator comes too close to a nest.  When you hear this sound, you’re close.

2. Use your binoculars to scan the branches, tree cavities and lower shrubs.  Birds nest in almost any habitat or area, so don’t give up just because you can’t see an obvious nest.

3. Watch out for “pairs” of birds that may be feeding nestlings.  If you’re far enough away, you’ll be able to watch as the parents take turns entering and exiting the nest feeding the    babies. Remember to give the parents plenty of room to work!

4. Don’t let your children get disappointed.  Keep trying every time you go outside.  Most people see nests because they just happen to look in the right spot at the right time. 

5. Use identification books to learn what bird species are in your area and how to find them.  The more you know, the more you can teach your children.

6. Finally, let the children know that they should never disturb the eggs or nest once the chicks have hatched.  Use the binoculars to view the family and keep your distance!

Outdoor Family Activity: Write A Nature Poem!

So often, children have a story or opinion about nature that they are excited to share. Writing poetry is a perfect way for kids to use their creativity while teaching others what they know about the natural world. An easy poetic style to begin with is the windspark poem. Before starting, have the children sit outside and write down 15-20 words that they relate to nature. This could be anything from “muddy” or “beautiful” to specific things such as “clouds”, “trees”, “wildflowers” or “stream”. The idea is to make it easier for the child to put the words together when they begin the poem. When this stage is completed, you’re ready to help the kids get their thoughts together and form the windspark poem following the example given below.

      Windspark poetry has five lines in this pattern:

“I dreamed”

“I was…” (something or someone)

Where

An action

How

Windspark poem example:

I Dreamed
I Was A Hemlock
Shading A Trout Stream
Fighting For My Life
Heroically

Do you like the information that you’ve been reading in our newsletter? By becoming a member of the Cradle of Forestry Interpretive Association, you can receive Nature-Oriented Parenting four times a year! Please see the contact information below to make your tax-deductible membership donation of either $25 for individual or $50 for family. Donations help our organization to better educate the public about the natural world!

Contact Information

Interpretive Association Main Office: 828-884-5713
Memberships/Donations-ext. 10
Education Section-ext. 24
Or please visit our website at:
www.cradleofforestry.com
Donations can be mailed to:
CFIA Donations
66 South Broad Street Brevard, NC 28712