Falling Leaves
Stand and watch until you see a leaf fall. What tree did it come from? What color is it? Did it fall fast or slow?
Done!Stand still, try not to make any noise, and listen for 60 seconds. What do you hear?
Leaves rustling, wind blowing, birds chirping, water running?
Done!Figure out which direction you are facing, and then figure out the other four cardinal directions (North, South, East, and West)
Remember the sun rises in the east and sets in the west. If it is morning, the sun will be in the east.
Done!Look around for a tree that you recognize. What kind of tree is it? Are there other nearby?
Done!Find a tree or rock with either moss or lichen growing on it. Which is it? How can you tell?
If you get stuck, try reading more on the Leaf website!
Done!Look for and identify a leaf. What kind of leaf is it? What plant does it belong to? How can you tell?
If you get stuck, try reading more on the Leaf website!
Done!
Stand and watch until you see a leaf fall. What tree did it come from? What color is it? Did it fall fast or slow?
Done!Find a fresh patch of snow and walk across it. Look back at your footsteps. Compare them to any other footsteps you see.
Try walking backwards. What direction does it look like you were walking in?
Done!Even in nature, you can sometimes see evidence of humans. Can you spot anything manmade instead of natural?
Trails or trail markers, bird houses or feeders, litter, geocache boxes?
Done!Look for and identify a flower. What kind of flower is it? What plant does it belong to? How can you tell?
If you get stuck, try reading more on the Leaf website!
Done!Take ten steps and look at the ground beneath your feet. What are you stepping on?
Grass, leaves, dirt, stones, sand?
Done!Look for and identify a bird. What kind of bird is it? How can you tell?
If you get stuck, try reading more on the Leaf website!
Done!Stand for a second and identify something you can taste, smell, see, hear, and touch?
Instead of tasting anything, just imagine what something would taste like! You should not put things from the ground or other natural places into your mouth.
Done!Look for and identify a tree. What kind of tree is it? How can you tell?
If you get stuck, try reading more on the Leaf website!
Done!Are there any trees that still have green leaves? Do you know what kind of tree it is?
If you get stuck, try reading more on the Leaf website!
Done!Just because you can't see any animals doesn't mean you can't see evidence of animals. Can you spot any tracks, trails, or things left behind?
Nests, animal tracks, broken branches, chewed on leaves?
Done!
Great job being mindful on this nature walk. What did you see and hear? What did you learn?
Start over!