“Backyard, Garden and Park Safari”
Children of all ages and accompanying adults “show what they know” and marvel at the miraculous life forms that inhabit the world outside our doorsteps in this hour-long multimedia and multi-sensory program. Exquisite close-up photographs and drawings, images of tracks and other signs of animal activity, recordings of animal sounds, natural objects concealed in bags for touching, and samples of edible wild plants for smelling and tasting stimulate a sense of wonder and curiosity about the natural world. Children visualize themselves as various plants and animals, imagining the anatomical features and responses to the environment that would accompany these transformations. John also shares stories of his and other naturalists’ encounters with our regional flora and fauna.
Participants discover how to invite a diversity of plants and animals into their own backyards. Tips for keeping a nature journal including found objects, rubbings, tracings, illustrations and observations to heighten awareness and appreciation of the rhythms of life through the seasons are also presented.
Families are shown how to recognize and avoid harmful plants and animals, and learn how to use readily available wild plants as soothing remedies for stings, bites, bruises, and rashes. Illustrated pamphlets containing suggestions for safety and comfort on nature outings, guidelines for responsible stewardship of our environment, and ideas and resources for creative art and play with found natural objects are offered to each family at the conclusion of the program.
John has presented both nature and music programs at many libraries in New England; please ask for references.
