As winter approaches and the days shorten you may be asking yourself how and what you will do to maintain your connection with nature during the upcoming months. We have read the research and know that spending time outdoors is good for our health and well-being. The benefits are numerous, healthier hearts, improved sleep, reduction in stress levels, anxiety and depression.
Each season gives us great opportunities to develop and deepen our relationship with nature. And winter is no exception! Mammal tracking is an activity that not only gets us outside but also enhances our skills in observation and as the title of this blog suggests, gives our cognitive powers a workout as well.
It was a matter of survival for our ancestors to become “expert” trackers. Tracking was a way of life for them. It taught our forefathers where they could find food, it taught them about their environment and how to work in harmony with nature.
Today it is not a matter of survival for us but the benefits of learning to track are countless. Here are some of the advantages.
Spending time outdoors, especially during the winter season
Teaches us about the environment we live in
Enhances our skills in observation
Learning a new skill builds confidence
Mammal tracks tell a captivating story
Preservation and honouring of ancestral knowledge
Better decisions are made for wildlife conservation – (In harmony with Nature)
Informed decisions are made for the development of land – (In harmony with Nature)
Develops and deepens our relationship with nature
And it’s a lot of Fun!
Here at the Nature Centre, we have wonderful opportunities to get out and look for tracks on freshly fallen snow. Moose, deer, bear, porcupines, foxes, squirrels and birds have made this area their home. We recently took the photos below while walking after a snowfall in November. Can you determine what these tracks are and the story they are telling? Send us an email at robertlbowlesnaturecentre@gmail.com and let us know.
Photo Credit: Michael Elmer
We will be having a Mammal Tracking workshop on Saturday, January 28th starting at 10:00 AM. led by Bob Bowles. For more information, please visit https://www.robertlbowlesnaturecentre.com/programs
Plan on joining us for a fun-filled and informative workshop to deepen your relationship with nature and enhance your observation skills. We'll see you in the New Year!