HOW TIME OUTDOORS CAN INSPIRE CHANGE See the Shifts
As Earth Day approaches, I find myself reflecting on the changes in nature I’ve seen over the years — especially those I may have missed if I hadn’t made an effort to spend a little extra time outdoors. When COVID-19 hit, my oldest daughter and I began finding different parks throughout the area to hike. It was a peaceful and quiet escape from the world’s chaos, but there were undeniable signs of environmental change. Some of our favorite places, like the Mentor Lagoons, have been impacted by erosion, with paths we used to walk washed away by the lake. This Earth Day, you don’t have to plant a tree or embark on a major environmental project to make an impact. It can be as simple as noticing what’s
changing in the landscape around you. Can you spot differences in your yard or the park down the street? Whatever you decide to do out in nature, whether it’s observing erosion or picking up trash, what matters most is making sure you get out there and enjoy it. TAKE A HIKE Hiking is a great way to spend time in nature and see what’s happening in the local environment. There’s an overlook at the lagoons where you can photograph the marsh and upload it to a website as part of time-lapse studies to see how the area changes over time. It gives you a complete picture of how much climate change and other environmental threats are affecting the place where you live.
GARDEN Gardening in your yard is a simple yet effective way to contribute to the ecosystem’s health and gain a deeper appreciation for the growing cycle. At the end of the year, we picked up a pollinator seed mix and planted it in an old flower bed at home. Now that the seeds are down beneath the topsoil, they will take about three years to fully mature. That timer would never start if we hadn’t taken it upon ourselves to grow something. As we celebrate Earth Day this year, I encourage you to explore nature and notice the shifts in your surroundings. Small, intentional actions can significantly impact the environment, and every little bit counts.
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