A Child's Inspiration: Wildlife Discovery Garden and Ecostead

06/28/2024

Release all preconceived notions. Dress in clashing bright colors…. Or vintage finds from different eras. Pull out that weird hat if it feels right.

Jump into a body of cold water.

Stand next to a body of cold water and hold people’s towels while they jump in, sipping cocoa and occasionally shouting words of encouragement.

Sleep until noon.

Jump in a body of water like an average person.

Send a love letter?

Create a satirical newsletter about your life? You’ll discover humor in new places and feel comforted by a deep sense of at-home-ness.

You can experiment with greeting cashiers, baristas, and servers like friends. Not how other people greet friends…, but how YOU do… whether you’re naturally bubbly and smiley or understated and genuine.

Try new things, and while doing this, focus on showing up as your authentic self.

Summon your inner child by any means you need and ask what would fulfill them. Then try your very best to go do that thing. If they’re too shy to tell you, give them a hug.

Pull out some watercolors and paint until you discover the Truth…or until you get hungry.

Stock your freezer with balls of cookie dough. Cook and eat them whenever it feels good to do so. You intrinsically know the correct amount of cookies for you.

If there’s a number in your life that is nagging at you… related to your body or finances— write it down on a piece of paper and stare at it until it loses all meaning.

P*e in the woods whenever possible.

Challenge a fear by walking toward it carefully. If you can approach, please go ahead and greet it gently and try to become friends. If it snarls at you, you can just back off and move along. You discovered a boundary.

Take yourself on a trip—just you. Spend at least one evening alone in a new place. Explore. Take yourself out for dinner… or cook yourself dinner over a campfire. Thank yourself for the treat.

Give yourself a massage.

Honor your intuition when it tells you to do things you’ve decided are off-limits for no real reason.

Tell someone about something unique that excites you? You won’t be bothering them, we promise.

Go for a walk and pick your favorite tree. Greet it every time you pass by… either aloud or in your head. If it starts talking back, that’s a sign to run away and live in the woods forever.

Donate to a charity you’ve been meaning to support all these years… you know which one we mean.

Write down all the goals and to-dos competing for space in your brain? When feeling calm, gently ask your inner voice which ones belong to you and which came from somewhere else… like society, family, or your career field. It’s normal to not know for sure at first… be gentle on yourself. Over time, you’ll identify more goals and aspirations that aren’t yours. Box them up and visualize yourself returning them.

When a new opportunity surprises you… especially when you’re not ready for it… resist the urge to say “no” or “I can’t.” The urge to say “No, I can’t” is a reflex… but it’s not always helpful. Practice saying “yes” more.

See if expressing yourself freely through movement unlocks a secret compartment of your soul (this has been known to happen!)

06/27/2024

The bees need our help, and no, not honeybees. While honeybees can be a beneficial domesticated species, they're not native to America. Most of our native bees don't form hives or make honey, making them very docile insects because they don't have to defend their home and food source. Instead, most native bees are solitary, with one female bee laying a series of egg chambers in a tunnel in the ground, a dead plant stem or in tunnels in wood. Many native bees are also much more efficient pollinators than their honey-making counterparts.

Unfortunately, with their natural habitat being replaced by development, the native bees are struggling to survive at a time when we need them more than ever as essential pollinators. Many conscientious folks hear this and immediately jump into action by offering a native bee house for these species. However, these bee houses only provide one part of what these native bee species need to survive, and they can often require more work to maintain than many anticipate.

Native plants are always the best bet for supporting native wildlife and are the best source of pollen and nectar for native bees to eat. Some bee species are pollen specialists and can only use the pollen of certain native plants to feed their offspring, so it is best to provide a wide variety of native species.

One of the best things we can do for these native bees is to leave the brown, dried stems of plants standing through the winter and into spring. Many native bees lay their eggs in the stems, and cutting them down in the fall can prevent the next generation from emerging in spring. Once you cut the stems in late spring, leave them roughly 18-24 inches tall so the next generation of native bees can use them as nesting places. Just let the plant's new growth grow around the old stems, and you won't even see them. You can also keep a fallen log or two in your garden, serving as nesting spots for native bees.

Many native bee species will use mud to build the chamber walls of their nesting tunnels, and they only search for this resource within a short distance. Offering a small source of damp soil in a shallow dish can go far for these little pollinators. Not only will these mud dishes help the native bees, but many butterflies will also use it as a puddling area where they can get salts and minerals from the mud, and some birds like robins and phoebes may even use this mud as a building material for their nests.

If you purchase a solitary bee house, I recommend finding a vendor who has put time and thought into ensuring you have all the educational resources you need to care for the house and the bees. Look for manufacturers specializing in native bee houses rather than those sold in home improvement and hardware stores, which are often of poor design.

Anytime we add a human-made structure into nature, it will need human intervention to keep it clean, safe, and beneficial to wildlife. Bee houses can sometimes do more harm than good by attracting bee predators and parasites who discover the house and realize it's an all-you-can-eat buffet. Bee houses must be closely monitored, and the bee cocoons must be removed from the nesting tubes, disinfected, and stored in a refrigerator at proper humidity levels through the winter for release the following spring. If you've purchased your bee house from a reputable vendor that offers ample educational resources, these instructions will either come with your home or can be found through your vendor. If this is too much of a commitment, then a bee house may not be the right fit for you, and that is alright. Remember that these bee houses, while a fun addition, are not the most vital habitat component for these bees.

06/24/2024

Be warm, caring, and understanding.

Behaviors show a need for relationships and communication and a need to be met, focusing on the reason behind the behavior.

Observe regularly. Sit and be present while observing interactions.

Build an understanding of development and developmentally appropriate practices. This will help you have realistic expectations.

Teach an understanding of the body's warning signs and identify emotions. These are critical components of self-regulation.

Provide tools and strategies for handling big feelings.

Set clear limits, be consistent, and understand your own triggers.

05/09/2024

The definition of play is still being determined. However, there is a growing consensus that it is an activity that is…
* voluntary,
* intrinsically motivated,
* entails active engagement, &
* results in joyful discovery.

Play often creates an imaginative private reality, contains elements of private reality and aspects of make-believe, and is non-literal. It has a purpose; it is not frivolous.

Play is a source of joy, but it also has many purposes in our growth and development:
* play develops frontal lobe inhibitory circuitry to regulate impulsivity,
* play helps us explore and develop happiness,
* play reinforces empathetic Brain-Mind connection,
* play also helps us to practice being adaptive and
* play is a context for learning the “unwritten script” of social rules and boundaries.

04/24/2024

Save the Date: City Nature Challenge | April 26-29

The City Nature Challenge is an annual global event that encourages people in cities worldwide to observe and document the biodiversity present in their urban environments using the iNaturalist app.

It’s a fantastic opportunity for community scientists to contribute to understanding and coexisting with nature. Grab your smartphone, go outside, and snap photos of plants, fungi, and wildlife.

Interested in participating in the City Nature Challenge but your city isn't taking part? Join this global project to have your observations be part of CNC 2024! If you'd like your city to be an official CNC city next year, find a willing local organizer and have them fill out our "Inte...

12/22/2023

As we make our way through the shortest day of the year, the Winter Solstice, we slowly begin to lift as we move forward and will see that the days start to grow a little longer and a little brighter. Feeling less energetic is expected as these darker days envelop the skies. The daylight is minimal, and our bodies and minds pine for the longer hours of sunlight we are used to. Our biological system can overproduce melatonin, promoting rest, sleepiness, and more of a calm state.

Melatonin is a part of our body's inherent natural clock or circadian rhythm, which governs our sleep patterns; however, it can sometimes feel a bit overbearing and can leave us feeling a little heavier, dull, and for some folks, even manifest as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).

It is perfectly normal to feel a bit sad during this time of year and to remember that the rhythms of Nature can mirror our inner emotional worlds. If you feel more inward, anti-social, or tired, give yourself the permission to lean into that, rest, and allow more downtime.

We must remember that life for most of us has changed drastically from the one we lived over 100 years ago. With the bustle of life (and the holidays), it is easy to forget that life only a century ago, when the seasons changed, so did our lives and our daily activities. We stopped when the sun went down—there was simply no light to work by. We spent more time at home with family, cooked meals on the fire, played indoor games with each other, and spent much time hibernating with books by candlelight. The winter season was a time that forced us to slow down, dream close to the warm fire, and set intentions for the following year.

Let us remind ourselves that this time is for introspection, nourishment, and hibernation, and where some of us may experience heavier bouts of depression, this is a time to be gentle with ourselves, and we do not necessarily have to be productive all the time, or to pack in that schedule just because you have the slot. Take time to rest if you feel down or tired because we are simply a part of the natural order of Nature and its rhythms, and it is okay to feel this.

If these long winter days have kindled a slight darkness in your world, and it does feel a little too heavy to carry, these herbs lift spirits and foster joy when life feels too complicated. Let this aid you, a loved one, or a friend and ignite a little spark of energy into your body to feel lighter and brighter during this time.

Gotu Kola (Centella asiatica)

A ​​cooling, bitter remedy with a long history in Ayurveda and Chinese medicine. It is native to parts of Southeast Asia, India, Sri Lanka, South Africa, and North and South America. This plant has been used for a long time in Asia for mental clarity, and it invokes a sense of mental sharpness coupled with a feeling of calm and stillness. This balancing tonic stimulates the brain through cerebral circulation, which helps lift those foggy mental states and helps you think more clearly. It's used to increase memory and is especially great for folks who feel agitated, as it also relaxes the nervous system. Gotu Kola is excellent for meditation and self-reflection, for it induces a state of calm and peaceful wakefulness.

Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis)

Like a sunny day, Lemon Balm uplifts the spirit, bringing hope and happiness into the heart. It is a perfect remedy to have around in the depths of the winter blues when the sun has not reached your soul for ages when darkness and despair have clouded your days. Lemon Balm invokes the light within, revealing the innocence and sweetness of the inner child. Many of us do not allow ourselves to shine in our total capacity; we hold ourselves back and do not accept or love who we are now.

Lemon Balm assists us in looking beyond our flaws and conditionings to see the pure soul inside, the one that wants to be free and exuberant, the part of us that wants to have fun. This acceptance of the self opens the floodgates of love to pour into those forgotten or malnourished places within the soul. This plant's incredible purity and simplicity instill a sense of peace and contentment, inviting one to enjoy the nectar of their own heart.

Linden (Tilia spp.) is a tree with heart-shaped leaves (the morphology of a plant resembling various parts of the body that use the plant). This plant has a mild, sweet taste and helps to release tension in the musculature and circulatory realms of the body, specifically the heart, where it softens tension and uplifts worry. Linden flowers alleviate restlessness, improve sleep, and lower anxiety and depression. It is indicated explicitly for anxiety culminating in the heart as it physically supports the vasculature and circulatory system, gently widening blood vessels while lowering blood pressure. Linden reinstates a sense of calm and gladdens the heart with its sweet and aromatic blossoms.

Mimosa (Albizia julibrissin)

It is a beautiful tree from China known for its predominant uplifting qualities, which is why it is called the "collective happiness tree." It has an astringent and somewhat acrid flavor. The blossoms shine pink and dangle like bright fireworks exploding mid-air. This flower offers relief when you feel burdened by continuous tears that wear down your heart. It allows you to breathe and feel peace roll into your heart. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, this herb is considered a "Shen tonic" used to uplift the spirit and awaken a sense of happiness. You often feel its actions, so if you need a potent pick-me-up, Mimosa might do the trick.

Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis)

This culinary favorite introduces a warming, aromatic flavor into food and the home, especially during the dark winter months. Rosemary has an aromatic and spicy taste, which helps to improve mood and encourages circulation to the brain, clearing out brain fog and improving mental clarity. Having Rosemary around during this time of year can help uplift the heart and soothe the spirit— a rosemary tea is buttery and delicious; otherwise, be sure to cook with it at the very least.

Rhodiola (Rhodiola Rosea)

Used in Eastern Europe and Asian countries as a stimulating adaptogen, this wonderful bitter-tasting herb, when taken in smaller doses, will stimulate energy, lift depression, enhance work performance, eliminate fatigue, and elevate wakefulness and steady energy throughout the day. This is because it stimulates the production of norepinephrine, dopamine, and serotonin, all neurotransmitters involved in your circadian rhythm.

Siberian ginseng (Eleutherococcus senticosus)

Regular Siberian ginseng increases longevity, improves general health and appetite, and restores memory. For someone who has been stressed or depressed and exhausted for a long time, this adaptogenic herb helps to increase mental alertness and physical endurance and reduces the effects of long-term exhaustion. Similar to Rhodiola, it can be dose-specific. While lower doses over the long term can assist in building and rejuvenating the neuroendocrine system, higher doses can be overtly stimulating and cause one to overextend themselves and burn out even more. Taking minor to moderate doses provides excellent results, especially when taken twice daily (morning and afternoon), since this works with the body's natural cortisol cycles.

St. John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum)

Classically known as "sunshine in a bottle," St. John's Wort is a nerve restorative. It works to tone and restore a nervous system weakened by long periods of stress, nervousness, tension, anxiety, or insomnia. This herb is commonly known to provide relief for those experiencing Seasonal affective disorder or mild to moderate depression. Unlike Mimosa, this herb does not offer instant results. When working with St. John's Wort, be patient and allow this gem a few weeks to take action. If you know that you are susceptible to the winter blues, consider using this remedy preventatively by taking it at the beginning of the cooler months to ease feelings of anxiety, tension, and depression.

Please take some extra time and care to do some further research to make sure that what you choose is suitable for the person you are thinking of, and if you do not know, reach out to an herbalist who does, as not every plant is ideal for everyone, especially if someone is taking medications.

In conjunction with these herbs, take a little outside time daily or implement some form of movement, breathwork, or exercise. Please note: It's essential to consult your doctor if you are taking pharmaceutical drugs before you consume any herbs, as there are many herb-drug interactions—please consult your health care practitioner or local herbalist to see what herbs suit you.

Below is a blend that may be formulated as a tea or compounded as a tincture. This formula brings energy up into the mind and stimulates circulation in the brain, providing both the body and mind a little boost when feeling low. This formula should also lift and calm the heart from feelings of grief or depression, pushing the heaviness out and elevating the mood. If you decide to make tea—add the Eleuthero root first and let it simmer on low for 20-30 mins, then turn off the stove and add the Linden flowers, Lemon Balm, Holy Basil, and Rose before leaving it to steep with the lid for another 15-20 minutes. Once complete, strain your blend and enjoy.

25% Linden flowers (Tilia spp.)

25% Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis)

25% Holy basil (Ocimum tenuiflorum)

15% Siberian ginseng (Eleutherococcus senticosus)

10% Rose petals (Rosa spp.)

To conclude, find yourself a cozy spot to rest—light a few candles, turn off the lights, shut your screen off, sip a hot drink, and rest or read—and if you are sinking in and embracing this time, reflect on the year past and think about what has served you and what has not, what you want to bring forward into 2024 and what you want to let go.

You could even write this down in a journal. Creating and solidifying these intentions will plant seeds for the coming year, ultimately giving you a more fulfilling life connected to your innate dream and purpose. Embrace the dark time surrounding us outside so we all can receive the rest and recovery we need for the coming year.

A warm winter solstice holiday season, and may the plants shine a little light into your life.

12/11/2023

If you haven't yet, now is the time to utilize the fantastic resource www.phillynature.org, co-created by Bernard Brown. We hope this resource stays just as valuable to everyone for years. Now is your chance to make that happen. Please use our donation link to help us renew our hosting subscription. If just 60 people donate $25 we will reach our target by our renewal next month. Many thanks!

Welcome to Philly Nature, where we connect with nature in Philadelphia.

07/16/2023

July 14th, 2023 In addition to following up directly with folks this week who have let us know that they were impacted by the flood, we would like to broadly share resources that are available for affected farmers, farmworkers, producers, and processors as they recover. We will update the webpage as...

03/27/2023

The fastest and easiest way to plan your garden or farm ever

03/09/2023

Exotic bulbs did not evolve with local fauna -- in fact, pollinators aren't even out when snowdrops are blooming. What are native plant options that also might act as host plants to support new pollinators (larvae)? Follow the link, which yes, is discussing dandelion alternatives but it's the same list: https://www.monarchgard.com/thedeepmiddle/we-can-do-better-than-dandelions

If you're ok with using exotic bulbs then go for it, just please acknowledge that it's not for other species but mainly yourself, like decorations. Stop greenwashing plant choices to justify human privilege in colonized garden spaces.

[Pictured are prairie crocus or Anemone / Pulsatilla patens (pasque flower) -- one of our first forbs in this ecoregion that typically bloom around mid April.]