We all know that everyone is going through a tough time at the moment with necessary social distancing and self-isolation measures but there is one thing that can cheer everyone up- NATURE! Going outside and noticing nature is super beneficial to our mental health. It can improve our mood and make us feel less stressed. It’s still possible to feel the benefits of nature if you’re stuck at home.

🌞Open the curtains- get as much natural light as you can

🐦Open the window and feel the fresh air- can you hear any birds?

🐛 Notice the smaller things-insects stopping at flowers, maybe even some lichen or moss you haven't noticed before!

🌳 Get outside- where you can in your garden or during your daily exercise.

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Become a nature recorder

Records can be logged using an app called iRecord

• Every morning 8-9am join RSPB on Twitter to tell everyone what birds you’ve spotted from your window. Visit the RSPB Website
• Make your own Magnifying Glass to explore your garden- visit Science Sparks (Thanks Northam Burrow Country Park for the inspiration!)
• Minibeast ID Sheets from the Woodland Trust.
• Fab Action Packs from the Wildlife Trusts which include easy to use identification sheets and step by step guides to creating homes for nature in your garden: Ponds | Hedgehogs | Worms | Night Creatures | Wild Bees

Also check out our Citizen Science Page for other inspiration!

Get Creative

• Create a Bug Haven: Have you got old pieces of wood lying around in your garden or could you pick up sticks on your daily walk? Click on the link to create your own Bug Mansion or Simple Bug Home‍

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• ‍Let a corner go wild: Pile up stones and leaves in a corner which can be a great spot for reptiles and amphibians to hide out. You could even paint a sign saying nature welcome here.

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• ‍Mini Pond: Follow advice from Devon Wildlife Trust- Using a watertight container, make sure if anything falls in there is a ramp for them to crawl out again.

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Become a researcher

• Choose a topic that interests you, do the research and then create a poster, play or presentation, video or game to share with your family (or online!) what you have learned

Example topic: Research the problems and solutions of plastic pollution (www.lessplastic.org.uk)

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Other Resources:

Download the activities pack from the Wave Project

The Woodland Trust has a resource pack useful for home schooling.

The Butterfly Conservation Trust have creative learning activities including downloadable resources and video lessons for the whole family.

Don't forget Devon libraries also have lots of eBooks and eAudio for you to download.

The Scout's have come up with over 100 activities to keep you entertained #TheGreatIndoors

British Science Week Activity Packs: Activities include thinking about camouflaged creatures and starting your own farm!

The Rock Pool Project also has coastal themed downloadable activity booklets

From the team at BBC Wildlife, some great nature-themed projects for children.

The National History Consortium have home schooling lesson plans full of activity ideas.

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Online Groups/People to follow/share

Online social groups to share people's positive thoughts and pictures that make us smile:

• Pledge for Nature:  Join our Facebook to share your photos of your pledges for nature
• The Self Isolating Bird Club : Set up by Chris Packham this is a virtual space for birdwatchers and enthusiasts alike to share their pictures and videos of wildlife across the world during this COVID-19 crisis. Reconnecting with nature is important during this time & we should encourage relatives and friends whilst self-isolating to spend some time engaging with the natural world,whether it be from their window, or in their garden.‍
• Sophie Pavelle: Science Communicator based in East Devon, follow her for upbeat musings on the natural world. Find her on IG: @SophiePavs‍
• John Walters on Twitter: JWentomologist for great images and insights of nature in Devon.
• Nina Constable Media: Filmer of the Journey to the Sea project and takes beautiful photos Find her on IG: @ninaconstablemedia
• ‍Patsfocus: Stunning photos of the North Devon coast and countryside @patsfocus

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Don't forget to add your activity to our Pledge Map!

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Please ensure that whatever you do, you always follow the up to date government advice which is available at www.gov.uk/coronavirus & www.who.int.

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Main photo credit_Steve Douglas