In small pockets across the city, volunteer work crews are reclaiming greenspaces and returning them to a natural state. They are removing the years of invasive overgrowth, the layers of garbage and finding beautiful old growth trees, snags, and vegetation. Then they are planting new native plant starts and designing and placing new trails so that people can enjoy access to these great natural areas. I just recently learned about an amazing organization the Nature Consortium that helps organized work parties and even includes art as part of the restoration process.
However on a purely neighborhood level the other day my family visited a local greenspace. The Cheasty Greenspace. It was volunteer work day and folks were working hard at adding gravel to the trails. It was on a steep area and it wasn't really the type of job that 3 year olds could help with, however, papa joined the crew and the boys and I played in the woods with another neighborhood child. The other boy showed my boys a fort in the trees. And it was wonderful to see the kids scramble over logs and under boughs in order to get to the "hideout."
This week I will be leading a play group for kids 0-4 on a hike in this same place. It is always hard to imagine how the day will unfold as children always bring their own interest. My goal will be: Make families feel like this greenspace is a good place to just go and explore. Watch. Learn, Plan for future events.
Finally, here is just an interesting link for making birdfeeders with young children. I have yet to try it but it looked interesting.
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