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‘Tis the Season to Give the Gift of Nature
A Floridian sunset. Credit: Kaila Drayton
As the year draws to a close and as thoughts turn to the holidays, gifts are given in the spirit of love and connection. ‘Tis the season to give the gift of nature.
There are many meaningful ways to celebrate nature as we reflect on the things that matter most. Gifts of time and place, gifts of legacy and land, and gifts of hobbies that connect us to the wild around should be on your holiday list.
Our family has always tried to give each other the gift of experiences, particularly time spent in nature. The older I get, the more I realize that physical items have less meaning, and experiences are the true currency of the soul. Time well spent in nature with people you love is valuable beyond measure.
I’ll confess this is an adult concept, and if I received a gift of time and travel when I was a kid, I would view it with some degree of skepticism. It’s hard to hear a gift like that when you shake it in the box.
So, with our kids and grandkids, we can use the holiday season and the gifts we share as a chance to introduce them to a lifetime of connection to place and nature… and still wrap some presents to open.
A bird feeder, some bird seed, a good backyard bird guide and a window view of the visitors that come to snack are both physical items and the opportunity for time spent together. A nest box or a bat house for the backyard can set in motion discovery and knowledge that transcends what can be found on a video screen.
A decent fishing pole, a starter tacklebox, a few “how-to” books on fishing and a net do not cost much but can open a world of wonder and connection to nature that lasts a lifetime. That, coupled with an investment of time and a willingness to seek out new and exciting places to practice this ancient art, will always be remembered.
It is a magnificent experience to stand at the water’s edge, peering into the darkened water of a Florida river or lake, and wonder what lurks just below the surface. And when a wild creature takes the hook and begins to pull, that magical moment is addictive. Sharing that with our children is a gift for all involved.
A Florida State Parks Annual Pass and Passport, coupled with a commitment of time to visit and explore their endless wonders and share adventures, is an excellent family holiday gift. Florida’s State Parks are world-class. You can find them in every corner of the state and can partake in endless activities: camping, fishing, paddling, riding horses, staying in a cabin, watching wildlife, picnicking, geocaching, bike riding or stargazing, to name a few. You can learn more and get a pass here.
A mountain bike, a pair of binoculars, a walking stick, a flashlight, a tent, a sleeping bag, a water bottle, a microscope, a telescope or a compass are excellent holiday gifts. Give them, explain their importance and use them together. Find your special place, your park or state forest, to share regularly, and explore it through the seasons. Note the changes in landscape, wildlife, and the quality of the light over time. Create a sense of place with those you love. They will love and remember you for it.
Children who love nature raise children who do as well. We will only save wild Florida if we inspire future generations to love and appreciate what we love and appreciate. We will come and go, leaving little evidence of our time here. But legacy can last into eternity. This holiday season, give the gift of nature and set in motion a legacy for the people and places you love.
An edited version of this blog post appeared in Florida Atlantic University’s The Invading Sea Journal. Joe Murphy is a former wildlife policy specialist for NWF’s Gulf Program. He submits these blogs as an NWF alumnus and supporter.
