Katharine's blog

On a Mission to find an Ichthyosaur Vertebra

Posted Mon, 03/08/2010 - 09:38 by Katharine
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Yesterday my eldest son was on a mission - to return to a beach we had explored a few days earlier, this time clutching his fossil hunting kit put together by his geologist grandpa. In his wonderfully convincing 9 year old opinion, he had discovered an ichthyosaur vertebra and was determined to dig it out of the surrounding rock. My younger son got involved in the expedition as chief 'brusher' dusting away the chipped rock to keep the area clear for the task in hand. The banter between the two of them was wonderful - such enthusiasm and anticipation. Where was the rest of the sea monster?

Valuing Creativity - Sir Ken Robinson on Education

Posted Tue, 02/09/2010 - 21:48 by Katharine

I love this very entertaining TED Talk by Sir Ken Robinson, author of 'The Element: How Finding your Passion Changes Everything'. He talks quite generally about the place of creativity in the public education system; how children are being educated away from creativity. As you listen you will quickly identify the role that getting children outside into nature can play in addressing the balance. Great stuff....

Greening your Valentines

Posted Tue, 01/26/2010 - 13:54 by Katharine

How about making your own Valentine Cards and gifts this year from recycled seed paper. As well as caring for the environment you are sending a message that keeps on giving and growing! It is also loads of fun and a great family activity.

I met up with David Suzuki's Queen of Green and the resulting video below will show you how!

A Transition Island - moving towards a resilient community

Posted Tue, 01/12/2010 - 12:26 by Katharine

 

Having recently moved to a new community, that of Salt Spring island BC, I was thrilled to discover and consequently join, a newly formed group dedicated to initiating a Transition Network on the Island.

Announcing the Child and Nature Alliance

Posted Sat, 12/05/2009 - 17:55 by Katharine
Cam and Fraser hug a tree.JPG

The Child and Nature Alliance is launched!

Sitting on the ferry to Victoria this week I was excited to be heading for the first AGM of the recently formed Child and Nature Alliance.

Heralding from the Get Outside Conference at Royal Roads University last March and inspired by the Child and Nature Network in the States,

Make Your Own Apple Chips

Posted Wed, 10/14/2009 - 11:53 by Katharine
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 Autumn is settling in on Salt Spring Island and it is not only the leaves that are ready to fall. There is a marvelous crop of apples this year clearly visible as the laden boughs of the apple trees peer over the hedgerows. With an apple tree in my garden and local farm stands weighed down with so many varieties (over 350 varieties grow organically on Salt Spring Island) I decided to investigate a recently inherited apple parer, corer and slicer and food dehydrator.

Paddling through the Hoodoos

Posted Sat, 08/08/2009 - 10:20 by Katharine
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This summer has been one outdoor adventure after another, the latest being a camping trip to Writing-on-Stone Provincial Park in Southern Alberta. A fantastic location for families with the shallow, warm, sandy bottomed Milk River to play in and the amazing sandstone Hoodoos to explore and climb around.

Hiking the Juan de Fuca Trail - 15 Facts Uncovered

Posted Wed, 07/15/2009 - 09:44 by Katharine
Setting off

Getting outside and connecting with nature can mean many things ..... enjoying a walk in your local park, exploring a nature reserve or a bug hunt in a back yard perhaps. And then there's the extreme - hiking the Juan de Fuca trail on the west coast of Vancouver Island - 47 km of lush rain forest marine trail.

Summer Fun

Posted Sun, 06/14/2009 - 07:30 by Katharine

 On a recent summer walk with my children I was reminded of a rhyme from my own childhood. It centred around a feathery grass stem and I proceeded to demonstrate it to my sons... 

Here's a tree in summer (taking a feathery grass stem in one hand),

Here's a tree in winter (pull your finger and thumb up the stem gathering up the seeds and striping the stem),

Here's a bunch of flowers (show the bunch of seeds),

Nature in Stories

Posted Mon, 05/04/2009 - 13:24 by Katharine

As a school teacher, I loved reading stories to my class and using stories and poetry whenever I could to enthuse my class about different topics. With my own sons, if we are not outside then my favourite pastime is to curl up with them and share a favourite book.  Last week my 6 year old brought back 'Stella, Fairy of the Forest' by Marie-Louise Gay from his school library.