Handbook of Nature Study

New Printable For Members: Tidepool Life Notebook Page Set

June 1, 2020 By Barb McCoy Leave a Comment

Now available in the Ultimate and Journey level memberships:

Tide Pool Life Notebook Page Set: This month the new printable for members of the Ultimate and Journey level memberships is a larger set (14 new pages) of notebooking pages for you to use to learn more about tide pool life. These pages will fit in nicely with lessons and research of note only tide pools, but also marine biology, invertebrates, the beach, and swimming things.

There are pages for: Barnacle, Chiton, Clam, Crab, Hermit Crab, Kelp, Limpet, Mussel, Sand Dollar, Sea Anemone, Sea Cucumber, Sea Slug, Sea Snail, and Sea Urchin,

(See the end of this post for more information on how you can become a member.)

Note: If you have any subjects you would like me to create nature notebook pages for, please let me know in a comment here on the blog or in an email: [email protected]

Print a complete list of printables available in the Ultimate and Journey level memberships by clicking the button above.

Use the discount code SPRINGTOGETHER for $10 off an Ultimate Naturalist Library membership!

June page image

Members also have access to the Nature Planner pages in their library. Print out this month’s page and use it to stimulate your weekly nature study time.

Brand New! Outdoor Hour Challenge: Greater Sage-Grouse Nature Study

May 29, 2020 By Barb McCoy Leave a Comment

Brand New! Outdoor Hour Challenge

Greater Sage-Grouse Nature Study

Have you ever read about the greater sage-grouse? Have you ever heard what it sounds like? Have you seen its beautiful mating dance? Not many of us will be able to observe this magnificent bird in person, but there are many wonderful online resources for viewing and learning about the greater sage-grouse. The habitat for this bird is decreasing and the numbers of greater sage-grouse are decreasing with it.

The value of studying such interesting birds is in exposing your children to the challenges of development and the impact on certain species of birds and other wildlife.

Outdoor Hour Challenge Greater Sage Grouse bird nature study

Use these ideas to get you started with your greater sage-grouse study:

Choose your resource to study the greater sage-grouse. A terrific website for bird information is All About Birds: Greater Sage-Grouse. Make sure to listen to the sound of a greater sage-grouse: AllAboutBirds.
Make sure to look at the range maps in a field guide or on All About Birds to determine if you have this grouse near your home.
For this challenge, practice listening to birds during your outdoor time. We know there will be times that we can’t see a bird but we can hear it in the trees or in the brush. The skill of listening carefully to distinguish a particular bird is something that will be helpful to anyone wanting to be a good birder. Here’s a link to an Outdoor Hour Challenge I posted in the past that will help you with your building of this important life skill: Birding by Ear.

Please note that I will not be posting the complete challenge here on the blog, but you will find the detailed challenge in the High Desert ebook. It’s available both in the Ultimate Naturalist and Journey level memberships. Sign into your account and download the ebook for the details, more links, and notebook pages.

If you don’t have a membership yet, you can click the graphic above and join today for immediate access to the 25 ebooks and so much more! Remember that all levels, even the Discovery level membership, include access to all of the archived newsletters!

Topics in this ebook include:

Bitterbrush
Sagebrush
Greater sage-grouse
Succulents
Mountain Lion
Coyote
Pocket Gopher
Bristlecone Pine
Elk
Turkey Vulture
Juniper
Snowberry
Golden Mantled Ground Squirrel
River Otter

Brand New! Outdoor Hour Challenge: Succulents Nature Study

May 22, 2020 By Barb McCoy Leave a Comment

Brand New! Outdoor Hour Challenge

Succulents Nature Study

There are so many succulents you can use as the subject of your nature study this week. Look at your local nursery or garden center for a succulent you can buy and take home to feature in your nature journal and watch over time as it grows and even possibly blossoms.

Here’s a very informative video on succulents: Types of Succulents.
If you would like to look at your local plant nursery for common succulents that make good houseplants, here is a link to a few you can look for: 20 Popular Types of Succulents.

Outdoor Hour Challenge Succulents Nature Study

Common Succulents to Grow at Home

Aloe Vera
Sedums of all kinds
Hen and Chicks
Dudleya
Pig’s Ear
Pincushion Cactus
Jade

Please note that I won’t be posting the complete challenge here on the blog, but you will find the detailed challenge in the High Desert ebook that’s available both in the Ultimate Naturalist and Journey level memberships. Sign into your account and download the ebook for the details, more links, and notebook pages.

Topics in this ebook include: