As a child, I coveted my mother’s beautiful moccasins. They were wrapped in soft white rabbit fur and decorated with delicate blue floral beadwork. Although my Métis heritage comes from my father’s side, it was my mother, who handed them down to me, and I still have...
Welcome to your ultimate guide on building a DIY bug hotel for beneficial insects! At first glance, this bug hotel may look like a simple wooden block with tubes, but it’s an extraordinary habitat custom-designed to support solitary bees, predatory beetles, and other...
Hello, June! June bursts onto the scene with long, golden days, buzzing pollinators, and the full bloom of summer just beginning to unfold. School routines begin to fade, bare feet meet warm earth, and the world outside becomes a living invitation to explore,...
The spring wildflowers of the Okanagan Valley in British Columbia are a sight to behold. From mid-April through early June the dry hills of BC’s Interior burst into colour, drawing families outside for the year’s first big nature walk. Arrowleaf balsamroot (often...
Are you co-parenting with nature? If not, you might want to consider making the natural world your partner in parenting. Nature-Connected Parenting, also described as "co-parenting with nature," is an intentional parenting approach that actively involves nature in...
Hello, April! April is a month of blossoming beauty, curious critters, and nature bursting back to life. The days are growing longer, the air smells fresher, and everywhere you look there are signs that spring is here to stay. This month invites us to step outside,...
Hello, March! This month brings big celestial and seasonal shifts, making it an exciting time to connect with nature. March’s full Worm Moon aligns with a total lunar eclipse, also known as a Blood Moon—a rare event visible across North America (weather permitting)....
Straining to fit into a boot. Whining about a finger caught in the wrong mitten. Searching for that elusive toque. Getting your kids outside to play in the winter can feel like an hour-long ordeal—with the end result being piles of snowy mittens, dripping boots, and...
It’s already February 2025, and if you’re anything like me, those grand “new year, new me” ambitions might be feeling a little less grand (and a bit more guilt-inducing). If you’ve been trying to keep up with a nature challenge—like 1000 Hours Outside—maybe you...
This past December, I had the joy of collaborating with Alex Bodden, president of the South Okanagan Naturalist Society, to bring the first-ever Christmas Bird Count for Kids to Penticton, BC. The event was a resounding success, sparking excitement among families and...
It’s officially 2025—a fresh start for everyone! The new year traditionally brings resolutions and lofty goals, but if you’re anything like me, those well-intended plans often slip away by February. I’ve especially struggled with the 1000 Hours Outside Challenge....
Let’s face it, exploring nature with kids is hardly a stealthy venture. Any wildlife in the vicinity is either gone or hiding by the time your noisy troop gets there. Often the only animals we see on our adventures are squirrels indignantly twitching their tails to...
On November 11th, Martinmas brings light, warmth and kindness into the encroaching darkness of late autumn. This traditional feast, also called St. Martin's Day, celebrates the feast of St. Martin of Tours, a Roman soldier from the 4th century that chose kindness and...
In this post I go over essential tips for dressing your child for staying cozy outside this fall and cover items to bring along on outdoor autumn adventures. In general, you’ll be covered for comfortable, safe fall outdoor adventures that are memorable (in a good way) if you consider clothing, food, and have a few other accessories stashed in your pack.
Earth Day is celebrated on April 22nd each year. It’s a day to discover the beauty of our blue and green planet and take steps towards caring for our universal home. Earth Day is a great opportunity to help children reflect, reset and reconnect with nature, whether...
Earth Day is celebrated on April 22nd each year. It's a day to discover the beauty of our blue and green planet and take steps towards caring for our universal home. Earth Day is a great opportunity to help children reflect, reset and reconnect with nature, whether...