Blog: Nature-themed Resources and Family Activities
Around the world, as a nation, and in our communities, we’ve experienced major changes as a result of the coronavirus. With a lot of areas under mandatory stay-at-home orders and social distancing requirements, we miss being able to get together with our HECHO community in person. However, we believe that we can get through this together (but physically apart) and aspire to stay connected to our community now more than ever.
During these uncertain times, we at HECHO would like to bring you digital programming, like virtual meet-ups or trainings. We would also like use this time as an opportunity to get to know you better. Please let us know what you would like, and what you need, from us.
Also, we have come across many online resources that we would like to share with you. We will continue to update this list of resources, and add your recommendations so that you can continue to enjoy the outdoors even if you have to stay close to home or need to stay indoors. If there’s a resource you discover that should be added, you can click here to let us know.
In solidarity,
The HECHO Team
HECHO Executive Director Camilla Simon’s children participating in an Early Childhood Health Outdoors (ECHO) DIY Activity, encouraging nature play
DIY Projects
(Resource in Spanish) Aprende cómo iniciar tu propia huerta y qué sembrar desde la comodidad de su hogar durante estos tiempos en cuarentena. Haz click en el link para aprender mas.
Learn about animal sounds and the various ways that animals communicate by downloading this activity book from the Tracy Aviary. From nature sound walks to painting a soundscape, this activity book shares great activities incorporating backyard wildlife.
A program of the National Wildlife Federation, Early Childhood Health Outdoors (ECHO), is helping to redefine what nature play means during a quarantine period. Follow their Facebook page for several ideas, including the one that HECHO Executive Director Camilla Simon’s children are doing above, called “natural construction.”
The calendar for the New Mexico Wildlife Federation program, Nature Niños. Find details below!
Art & Reading
The Ranger Rick children’s magazine teaches kids about wildlife and nature in a fun and engaging way. Subscribe for a free digital subscription here.
Each Tuesday at 11 AM MST, join the New Mexico Wildlife Federation for Nature Niños Backyard Nature Classes. From hands on classes like Kitchen Scrap Gardening to identifying clouds, Nature Niños is a fun resource. Make sure to reserve a spot for the classes you’re interested in by clicking here. See a calendar of April Nature Niños classes, here.
Participate in Wildlife Wednesdays every Wednesday with the New Mexico Wildlife Federation. This Wednesday features lead biologist with the Santa Fe National Forest, Daryl Ratajczak.
(Resource in Spanish) Encuentra actividades de educadores ambientales con Audubon para niños. Con actividades que se pueden realizar adentro de casa, patio o parque, Audobon para niños ayuda en apoyar el explorar y sentirse conectado con el mundo natural. Haz click aqui para aprender mas.
Enjoy the Outdoors Indoors
Take a 360 degree virtual tour of a National Park with Google Arts & Culture. Featuring several national parks like Bryce Canyon National Park in Utah to Kenai Fjords National Park in Alaska, these tours offer beautiful scenery and ranger led virtual tours. Some of our favorites are linked below: