Wildlife Promise » Lindsay Legendre http://blog.nwf.org The National Wildlife Federation's blog Wed, 16 May 2012 21:10:35 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 Little Things Can Make a BIG Impression http://blog.nwf.org/2012/04/little-things-can-make-a-big-impression/ http://blog.nwf.org/2012/04/little-things-can-make-a-big-impression/#comments Thu, 05 Apr 2012 19:06:28 +0000 Lindsay Legendre http://blog.nwf.org/?p=51796 Read more >]]> I didn’t grow up gardening a lot, my parents never really talked to me about global warming, and I don’t regularly hike or mountain climb. Regardless, I have developed an overwhelming love and connection to the great outdoors.

There are a lot of little moments throughout my life that made me this way and brought me to NWF, many of which took place outside my front door. This video is actually an indoor moment about a tiny little thing—that wasn’t hard to do or hard to grasp—that apparently made a big impression on me when I was about six. Are you dying to know what it was? You will probably be surprised! Watch this video and find out!!

Click here to view the embedded video.

I guess the point I’m trying to get across is it doesn’t take a lot to build a connection with the natural world. I work on NWF’s Be Out There movement to reconnect kids with nature. Every generation says it, but it’s a different time. Getting a good healthy dose of outdoor time isn’t as easy as it once was and regardless of age, it’s so good for you! I’ll share some outdoor moments—old and new—along this crazy ride, and hopefully you’ll share some with me too.

National Wildlife Federation’s Storytelling Video Diary Series shares the candid tales of nine NWF staffers from around the country; armed with their cameras in the Great Lakes, California, South Dakota, the Pacific Northwest, Northern Virginia, and Washington, DC, these nine staffers will share with you their individual trials, epiphanies and stories as they unfold in their daily adventures.

]]> http://blog.nwf.org/2012/04/little-things-can-make-a-big-impression/feed/ 0 6 Outdoor Thanksgiving Activities for Kids http://blog.nwf.org/2011/11/thanksgiving-activities/ http://blog.nwf.org/2011/11/thanksgiving-activities/#comments Tue, 01 Nov 2011 13:00:13 +0000 Lindsay Legendre http://blog.nwf.org/wildlifepromise/?p=33343 Read more >]]> kids playing in leaves.

Photolibrary.com

Well, it’s that time of year again! Thanksgiving is just around the corner. It’s time for raking leaves (and jumping in them), sipping spiced cider, and enjoying all the wonderful changes of the season.

In honor of my favorite holiday (yes, I prefer to eat than get presents), we’ve provided a list of wild crafts and activities your kids will “fall” over — all in the spirit of Thanksgiving.

Get outside with your kids and work up an appetite!

1. Make a Thanksgiving Centerpiece

Go for a walk and pick up pieces of Fall as you go – beautifully colored leaves, acorns, small pine cones and more. Bring them home and make this easy craft.

2. Make a Snack-o-Lantern

Turn your leftover pumpkins into feeders for backyard visitors such as squirrels, chipmunks and birds. Learn how.

3. Make Pumpkin Prints

Your kids will love making colorful pumpkin prints using nature’s paint brush – a carrot!

4. Make Thanksgiving Place Cards

Get the family involved! These place cards are easy and beautiful to decorate your Thanksgiving table.

Little boy holding an apple

Photolibrary.com

5. Pick Apples and Make Autumn Applesauce

Or if you aren’t near an apple orchard, find a local farmers market and pick out some ripe delicious apples to turn into easy autumn apple sauce!

6. Make Delicious Pumpkin Cookies

You’ll bring a smile to your child’s face — and to several dozen cookies — when you make this treat together.

Try these out and let us know what you think! Or share your favorite fall activities with us.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Explore more ideas and inspirations for outdoor play at www.beoutthere.org.

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