Reconnect with Nature through Inquiry
Our busy lives often prevent or restrict opportunities to go outside and explore nature. We invite you to discover some simple inquiry tools to guide your time as you visit Prescott's natural spaces, or the natural spaces where you live. Perhaps take a journal for writing or drawing with you. If you take a camera, remember to look with your eyes at what surrounds you before taking photographs of what you see.
Find a spot to sit comfortably for a few minutes. Close your eyes and clear your thoughts. Breathe deeply.
What do you smell?
Keep your eyes closed and listen carefully.
What sounds do you hear? Do the sounds change the longer you sit?
Continue to breathe steadily and calmly. Open your eyes. Slowly look at all that surrounds you. Begin focusing on the things that are closest to you. What differences in color do you see? Textures?
As you look at the plant life that surrounds you, investigate the structure of the branches and leaves.
Find a spot to sit comfortably for a few minutes. Close your eyes and clear your thoughts. Breathe deeply.
What do you smell?
Keep your eyes closed and listen carefully.
What sounds do you hear? Do the sounds change the longer you sit?
Continue to breathe steadily and calmly. Open your eyes. Slowly look at all that surrounds you. Begin focusing on the things that are closest to you. What differences in color do you see? Textures?
As you look at the plant life that surrounds you, investigate the structure of the branches and leaves.
Take time to draw what you see, using as much detail as you prefer.
Repeat this as often and as long as you need.
Repeat this as often and as long as you need.
Look for Evidence
Look also at other components of the habitat. Plants, animals, and fungus are all parts of the biota, or living, elements of a habitat. Rocks, soil, and water are part of the abiotic, or nonliving, elements of a habitat. Each piece is an integral part of the puzzle and is worthy of exploration.
Animal tracks, scat, scents, scratches, and more show the careful observer which animals live in or move through the habitat.
Wet soil or mud and smooth rocks share the movement of water, from rain or snowfall to flowing creeks and streams.
As you spy evidence, draw or write about what you see. Include how you are feeling at that moment. Share the stories of discovery.
Look also at other components of the habitat. Plants, animals, and fungus are all parts of the biota, or living, elements of a habitat. Rocks, soil, and water are part of the abiotic, or nonliving, elements of a habitat. Each piece is an integral part of the puzzle and is worthy of exploration.
Animal tracks, scat, scents, scratches, and more show the careful observer which animals live in or move through the habitat.
Wet soil or mud and smooth rocks share the movement of water, from rain or snowfall to flowing creeks and streams.
As you spy evidence, draw or write about what you see. Include how you are feeling at that moment. Share the stories of discovery.