Did you know...


       ...that perennial plants store extra food in the autumn and go dormant during winter?

       ...that leaves change color because they are finished making food for the year?

       ...the chlorophyl needed for food production breaks down and takes the green with it?

       ...all perennial plants, with the exception of evergreens, will lose their leaves and sometimes disappear?

       ...this is the best time to weed the garden?

       ...this is the best time to plant most tree seeds?

       ...almost all of the activities are linked to a web site for more info? Just click on the bullets.

Scoot Around The Page



A Need for Green   Big Stress Relief   Feeling Industrious
Feeling Curious   For the Birds   For the Critters   Feeling Energetic


            

What to do...oh, what to do...
...flying solo.

         First Of All:
               Check out these ten easy ways to promote wildlife.

               Also, you might consider taking a younger sibling with you for some of these activites.
               This is a great opportunity to introduce them to nature, as well.


Feeling a Need for Green:


         Propagation:
               Propagate Houseplants...this can be challenging, but worth it.
         Seed Propagation:
               Sow your tree seeds. Get ready to winter sow some perennial seeds.
               Save your parents some money by growing plants for them...you can even sell the extras!!
               And you will have extras!!
         Winter Sowing:
               Ask questions, get quick answers.
               You will need to register to post questions at this site, but it is totally free and very safe.
         Trade & Collect Seeds:
               Need some seeds? This site has free offers from the generous seed traders.
               In particular, watch for the annual Adopt-A-Newbie event which usually starts in November
               and has a deadline in December...mega seed potential for a couple bucks (or less) in postage!
               Once you have your own stash, you can trade them for seeds you want.
         Compost Bins:
               Make your own compost for your gardens.
               The leaves all over your yard make a great staple for compost.
               Rake ‘em up, jump in them a few times, them toss them in the compost bin.
         Plant Identification:
               Try to identify 10 different flowers/plants per week...with a great resource for ID’s.
         Learn Latin:
               What’s the deal with those latin names? This is pretty cool!
         Plant Something:
               What do you want? Flowers, vegetables, foliage, grasses, etc...check into it.
         More, more, more:
               For more or complex questions, visit Garden Web and look through their plethora of forums.
         Flower Arranging:
               This will cover the basics.
         Virtual Ikebana:
               Try some Japanese techniques for flower arranging.
         Preserving Flowers:
               Ok...so you have a beautiful flower and you want to enjoy it for awhile.
               You can! This site gives some ideas for how to do just that.


Big Stress Relief:


         Meditate:
               No web site needed...nothing comes close to being equal to this.
               Find a good quiet spot where no people, buildings or man-made objects are visible.
               You shouldn’t be able to hear any man-made sounds, either.
               A spot next to a running stream or river would be perfect.
               Sit quietly with your own thoughts for at least an hour.
               Take in the environment with your eyes, then close them and allow your other senses to take over.
         Take It Outside:
               No web site for this either.
               What is your favorite indoor activity? You can probably take it outside.
               Play guitar (acoustic in a clearing surrounded by woods), read, cook, etc...
         Yoga:
               Into Yoga? Never tried it? Try it, you might just like it.
               A park or private place in the woods is a great place to do Yoga.
         Pull Weeds:
               It is very therapeutic taking your frustrations out on a weed!
         For Writers:
               Let nature be your inspiration for the perfect poem or short story.
         Eat Outside:
               Have dinner outside while watching the sunset.
               You can make dinner or pick up some fast food.
               This could become very addictive...but try to find a spot that is blocked by the wind.
         Rake Your Zen Garden:
               There are instructions for creating your zen garden farther down the page.


Feeling Industrious:


         Natural Furniture:
               Make furniture from sticks, logs and stones you find in the woods.
               Use only fallen timber, don't cut anything down, of course.
               Rivers are a great place to find water washed wood and rocks.
         More, more, more:
               Don't be afraid to experiment with your furniture. You have seemingly endless resources.
         Woodcarving:
               Carve details into your natural furniture or make a sculpture. It's up to you.
         Scarecrow:
               Make a scarecrow for your spring garden...save some leaves for this project.
         Naturific T’s:
               Design and make your own T-shirts using “stamps” found in nature.
               Don't spend too much for your T's so that you can make a few.
               Try to find them at your local craft store.
         Outdoor Zen Garden:
               Time tested, mother approved...a very calming and self-examining experience.


Feeling Curious:


         Explore...Explore...Explore:
               The linked web site is a great place to get you started.
               Look for animal signs:
               Tracks, poop, feathers, matted down patches of grass, nibbled plants, scratches in tree bark.
               Roll over a log to discover what’s under it.
               Remember to put it back when you’re done...it's home to somebody.
         More, more, more:
               This web site lists 101 more ways to explore.
         Animal Footprints:
               Find animal tracks (best the day after it rains or in the snow)...or make your own mold.
         Entomology:
               The wonderful world of insects! They will begin to prepare for winter in autumn.
               They will lay egg cases, form chrysalids, burrow underground, etc...
               Insects are actually very fascinating creatures.
               The web site will help you get started.
         Insect Identification:
               Ok, so you have found a few interesting insects and understand their parts,
               now you need to know what they are.
               This web site is a great place to find an ID for what you have found.
               Do remember not to handle the insects directly until you know they are safe.
         Phenology:
               Keeping a journal of phenology records.
               Recording dates of bird sightings, first blooms, trees turning color, etc...
               Check out the 'how to' portion of the web site.
         Recording Sounds:
               Take a walk through the woods and record the sounds.
               You can even use them to mix in with music.
               Very cool website. (Flash 4 required)
         Photography:
               Master this art! It isn't as easy as it sounds, but the web site should give you some pointers.
               There are tons of nature subjects just waiting to have their picture taken!
         Time-Lapse Photography:
               A merging of Photography with Videography to speed up a process. Very cool!
         Videography:
               You can use the basic priciples from the Photography web site for this.
               Make a movie with a digicamera or video camera...choose your own subject.
               Get creative...for a challenge, record the wind or other intangible essence.
               Make sure your camera is weather proof and can withstand extreme temps.
         Stargaze:
               The oldest hobby, literally. Check out the stars and track the moon phases.
         Cloud Watching:
               Take a blanket and some snacks to a park or clearing in the woods
               and look at cloud formations in the sky.


For The Birds:


         Attract Birds:
               Invite them into your backyard.
         Make a Bird Feeder:
               Birds will want to eat quite a bit of seed before winter sets in.
                The web site has plans for building bird feeders.
         Watch the Birds:
               Truly fascinating. Birds have such unique habits and rituals.
               Tips on getting started with bird watching are on the web site.


For The Critters:


         Create a Butterfly Garden:
               The butterflies are most plentiful in late summer and early fall.
               Get a jump on next year by planting some of their favorite perennials now.
         Create a Half-Barrel Pond:
               If you get good enough at these things...
               ...you could probably set them up for others and make a little spending money.
         Bat House:
               Now, why would you want bats!! Actually, they are quite harmless and beneficial.
               Bats consume tons of flying insects each night.
               Build them a house so they can clean up your neighborhood.
         Make a Toad House:
               Toads eat a LOT of insects at night...if you build it, they will come.
               Autumn is a really good time to do this project, they burrow underground for winter.


Feeling Energetic:


         Fly a Kite:
               Quite an old hobby, but it has only become more challenging and fun.
         Dog Training - Outdoors:
               Take a dog for a walk in the park or through the woods.
               The web site gives tips for a better walk with your dog.
         Map Your Neighborhood:
               Use a compass or GPS to map your neighborhood.
               This can be quite complicated, but for those of you who think they can handle it...go for it!
         Dig for Fossils:
               It is pretty cool when you find something that could be a million years old (or more)!

What to do...oh, what to do...
...about paying it forward.


Volunteering:


         First Of All:
               The web site gives twenty great reasons to volunteer.
               When it comes time for you to land your first job,
               it will be mighty helpful to have some references on hand.
               Don’t forget to ask for these letters of reference whenever you volunteer.

               You will want to run these ideas past your parents, but if they say “OK”, then go for it!
         Animal Shelter:
               You can search through all of the shelters and rescue groups in your area.
               Volunteer for the outside duties to walk dogs, etc...
         Restore a Park:
               Help restore and beautify a local park.
         Garden Centers:
               Get an outdoor job or volunteer at your favorite garden or nature center.
               Other places to work as a volunteer might be a farm or a zoo.
               They may want to interview you, so brush up on your skills.
         Yard Work:
               No web site needed for this. You probably already know someone who would love some help.
               Help an elderly person (or another person in need) with yard work.
         Nature Trails:
               Help clean up a nature trail.
         Recycling:
               Recycle bottles or cans and donate the money to a local environmental charity or wildlife care center.
               This has a double benefit, cleaning the environment and generating a donation.
               Check out The Internet Consumer Recycling Guide
         Litter Round-Up:
               Organize a day to pick up litter in your own neighborhood or park or in the surrounding community.
               Visit the web site if you want to make this a big, publicized event.
         All Species Project:
               Get involved in the Heartland All Species Project.
         Big Project:
               So big, I think it is listed twice.
               During autumn and winter, you can draw up the plans for what will need to be done.
               Improve the habitats around your house, neighborhood, church or school.

What to do...oh, what to do...
...with your friends.


Get the Gang Together:


         Have a Picnic:
               Have a picnic with your friends at a local park or in your backyard.
               Visit the link for fun and yummy recipes!
         Treasure Hunt:
               A treasure hunt in the woods would prove to be challenging. Are you up for it?
         Scavenger Hunt:
               Organize an outdoor scavenger hunt.
               To make it interesting, find things for the sense of touch...
               ...things that are smooth, rough, prickly, sharp, hard, soft, dry, wet, etc...
               Make it even more interesting by organizing a photography scavenger hunt.
               Think of interesting things in nature to shoot. The proof is your digital photographs.
               Remember extra batteries!
         Radio Controlled Planes:
               This can be quite challenging and complex, but go for it!
         Ultimate Frisbee:
               Play a game of Ultimate Frisbee!
               In some areas of the country, this is a pretty big deal.
         Horseshoes:
               An oldie, but still a goodie!
               Check the web site for set-up instructions and the official rules of play.
         Laser Tag:
               Play laser tag, paintball (non toxic only) or have a water gun fight in the woods.
               You will find a lot of natural barriers and hiding places.

What to do...oh, what to do...
...without an assistant or transportation.


Get the Family Involved:


         Pick Your Own Fruit:
               Go Asian Pear, Pecan, Pumpkin or Apple picking.
               Depending on the time of year, there should be fruit ready to pick! Yum!
         Apple Picking:
               Fresh apples, ripe for the picking!
         Pumpkin Patch:
               Places to pick your own pumpkins in Missouri.
               Many also have corn mazes...very cool! That reminds me of some movie...hmmm.
         Plant Trees:
               A great way to give back to the environment!
               You can even help others plant their own trees.
         Tree House:
               Build a tree house for your younger brother or sister.
         Horseback Riding:
               Go horseback riding...maybe at the farm where you are volunteering.
               If you haven't found a farm yet, here are a couple of options in Missouri (they cost money, though).
         Adopt a Pet:
               This should be a decision for the whole family.
               The Humane Society of the United States has adoption tips, training videos and more!
         Farm Time:
               Visit a farm...maybe they will let you help them or, better yet, offer you a job.
         Boating:
               Take a boat ride at a local lake.

What to do...oh, what to do...
...with all this other stuff.


More Ideas:


         For lack of a specific category, these activities are listed here.
               You can do many of them alone, with friends or with your family.
         Personal Holiday:
               Create your own nature holiday..besides Earth Day.
               A Month With No Holidays? Make Up Your Own!
               Decide on the outdoor traditions that your family will do on your holiday.
         Greenhouse:
               Build a mini greenhouse with PVC pipe.
         Create Microhabitats:
               Make some places for a variety of critters to live.
         Create a Mini-Woodland:
               This will be a long term rewards project, but now is the time to start.
         Get Some Trees for your Mini-Woodland:
               Get free sapling trees (with a 10 dollar membership donation) from the Arbor Day Foundation
         Amphibian Pond:
               For the extra ambitious...build an amphibian pond.
         Purple Martin House:
               Did you know...the Purple Martins’ favorite food is the mosquito?
               Attract them to your property by making a condo for them.
         Ride your Bike:
               No web site for this one.
               Try to find new trails through wooded areas.
         Rock Climbing:
               Learn about it first
               There are many techniques that need to be practiced before tackling rock climbing.
         Golf:
               Check to see if your family knows anyone with a membership.
               They might be able to take you as a guest.
               Learn the basics, first.
         Zipping Around:
               Rollerskate or Rollerblade when weather is nice enough.
               No web site for this is needed.
         Big Project:
               So big, I think it is listed twice.
               During autumn and winter, you can draw up the plans for what will need to be done.
               Improve the habitats around your house, neighborhood, church or school.
         Geocaching:
               If you need a sport that’s a little more high tech, give geocaching a shot.
               Geocaching is the sport where you use your handheld GPS receiver
               to find caches hidden by others using their GPS receivers.
               This is something you can do by yourself, with friends or with your siblings.
               Geocaching teaches outdoor navigation in a fun and interactive way
               while allowing you to explore your own neighborhood and beyond.
               You’ll learn new words and phrases such as cache coordinates,
               travel bugs, micro-caches, benchmarking and geoteaming.
               All you need is internet access and a GPS receiver.
               Some GPS receivers retail for many hundreds of dollars,
               but many models are available for around $100.
               Although the sport is active in over 200 countries,
               most geocachers enjoy playing the game in their own neighborhoods.
               It’s awesome! Give it a try, if you can.
         Go Backpacking:
               Everything you need to know and more about backpacking is within the web site.
         Go Camping:
               Have you been camping before? If not, give it a try!
         Go Canoeing:
               Find out all about US Kayak / Canoe Disciplines within the web site.

What to do...oh, what to do...
...hit the road.


Fantastic Day Trips Right Here in K.C.:


         Cave Spring Historic Site and Nature Center
         Burr Oak Woods Nature Center
         The Discovery Center
         Ernie Miller Nature Center
         The Kansas City Zoo
         Lakeside Nature Center
         Martha L. Thompson Nature Sanctuary
         Parkville Nature Sanctuary
         Powell Gardens:
               A full 915 acres of WOW!
         Prairie Oak Nature Center
         Schlagle Library/Nature Center

A Bit Farther Out:

         Squaw Creek:
               This reserve is north of KC about 75 miles.
               It is noted to be famous for its Bald Eagle populations.
         Jamesport, Missouri:
               Check out the Amish way...a simple life with little stress.
         Harry S. Truman Dam & Reservoir
         Flint Hills National Wildlife Refuge:
               Also know for their Bald Eagle populations.
         Visit a National Park:
               This web site is the National Park service guide.

Club Organized Trips/Adventures for your Family:

         Ozark Wilderness Waterways Club



Suggestions?

Do you have an activity you would like to suggest for Autumn?
I would love to hear what you have to say!
E-mail:














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