With the weather getting warmer and the snow melting fast, now is the time to get outside and enjoy nature in your backyard.  We know that spending time in nature is a great way to relax and we also know that you like your devices, so let’s put the two together.  You can use some screen time on your device to help you learn about all the living things in your backyard that you will see and hear when you go out for some mindful green time. 

Here are two ways below to use your device to learn about nature:

1. SEEK by iNaturalist:  Do you have a camera on your device? Just take a pic of an animal and find out what it is called.  It is that easy.

   -Step #1 Go to GOOGLE PLAY or APP STORE

   -Step #2 Search for “SEEK by iNaturalist”

   -Step #3 Download the FREE App

   -Step #4 Find some living thing in your yard like a plant, bug or animal.

   -Step #5 Take a picture of it by pressing the green button on the App

     The App will give you the name of what you found.  You can even earn badges for your discoveries.

      I find that you will get better results if you take a photo first and then put it into the APP when you          

      press the green button.  Remember to never get too close to wild animals. They need their space too.

 2. The ROOST:  What about the birds in your backyard? Use your device to learn more about them.

1. -Step #1 Go to www.birdscanada.org/the-roost

   -Step #2 Scroll down to the section: Activities for Families

   -Step #3 Click on: Bird Identification Tool

   -Step #4 Drop a pin on where you live on the map

   -Step #5 Click on the blue View or Print box

       You will get a picture list of all the birds in your area that you can view on your device or print off.  

       You can use the pictures to help you identify the birds in your yard.  There are also other activities

        to do on this site.

Keep a record of what you see in a Journal as things change outside almost day-to-day.  You can write, draw or do further research on what you find.  Remember that technology doesn’t always work the way it is supposed to, so if you run into problems using this App or Website, just write down what you see on a piece of paper.  I would also like to hear about your discoveries so email me at andrew.stewart@nbed.nb.ca with your observations.  Enjoy your Green Time!