Hi everyone! Sorry about being a bit late, I ended up taking an unexpected break, but I'm back! And guess what? THIS IS THE TENTH NATURE CHALLENGE! So, in celebration of this, the nature challenge will be a bit more, um, 'extravagant' then usual....
Make Your Own Nature Center
I know, I know, it sounds kind of crazy, but this is not the kind of nature center you are most likely thinking about! This is a private, in-your-home-or-bedroom nature center.
Step 1: Find a location. Pick a spot where there are not a lot of people all the time, somewhere out-of-the-way and quiet. Possible locations are in the corner of a large room, in a bedroom, or, if you are lucky enough to have one, a spare room you don't need. Of course, you could always use an old empty shed, although you might have to looking into a small heater or something if you live in a place with very cold winters.
Step 2: Prep time. If the area you want to use is dirty, clean it! The cleaner it is, the more inviting it will be when you are finished. Clear out any extra clutter, or anything that doesn't belong there.
Step 3: Furniture. Now, your 'area' that you plan on using might be an entire basement, or no bigger than the size of your own bed, so what you will need differs. Generally, you will need some type of small table or desk. You don't need anything big or expensive, a tiny little plastic fold-up table would do the trick. Of course, some storage space would be nice. If you have the space, you could put in giant bookcases or other things like that, but, most likely, that won't fit your space - or your wallet. In fact just a shoeboxes would do!
Step 4: Add things. Have some books about nature, and maybe even a couple of field guides? Bring 'em in! Those nature collections of feathers and rocks and shells all over you windowsills and desks? Bring 'em in! You will also want what I call an 'Exploration Tray'......
How to put together an Exploration Tray:
You will need a plastic or metal tray, which you can easily find for cheap at the Dollar Tree or Walmart. Fill the tray with..... a magnifying glass, tweezers, a small plastic bug cage, a sketch pad or notebook, a pen, and some colored pencils and crayons! Ta da! Automatic, easy exploration on the go!
Step 5: Using it. Bring your siblings/friends/kids over and show it to them! Make it cool, with handmade posters and blankets. This area an become your go-to for reading up about animals and nature, examining specimens, sketching you sightings, recording observations, and more! Have fun!
-Lili
