So many wild wonders lie within our forests, unknown and unappreciated, yet I’m constantly amazed at new discoveries bestowed free-of-charge by Mother Earth. Commemorating the New Year’s arrival, here’s a month-by-month calendar to encourage ‘wild’ activities in 2014.
1. January: Find one unique houseplant, study its care, and nurture it throughout the year. You’ll breathe better and little ones will learn.
2. February: Join the 2014 Great Backyard Birdcount (held Friday through Monday, February 14 - 17). Count in your own yard/neighbourhood (www.birdsource.org).
3. March: Spring has sprung! Take the family onto the trails to treasure hunt for spring’s first wildflowers.
4. April: Cameras in hand, immerse yourself in stunning West Coast indigenous plants and snap local lovelies like Flowering Red-currant and Fawn Lily.
5. May: Try out a new nature trail (Campbell River/area boasts over 40 of them).
6. June: Birdwatching season! Buy a pocket ID book; learn five new birds this summer. (Recommended: Birds of coastal British Columbia by Lone Pine).
7. July: Summer’s first wild fruit is ripe! Take an ice-cream bucket into Beaverlodge Forest and fill with Salmonberries.
8. August: Collect wild seeds/seedpods; remind children never to pluck wildflowers.
9. September: Mushroom season, and autumn woods are filled with fun guys. Hunt for local chanterelles – a gourmet delight.
10. October: Grab binoculars, head for the beach to greet a plethora of waterfowl over-wintering along our shores.
11. November: Smear peanut butter on pinecones and hang out for winter birds.
12: December: Mosses and ferns green up winter woodlands. Learn them, love them.
Email Christine at: wildernesswest@shaw.ca