Reconnecting with the Natural World Throughout the Winter Season

By Anna Foster Program Director

Going outside in the winter can sometimes seem like more trouble than it’s worth. When the sun sets at 4:30pm and the windchill makes it feel like 5 degrees outside, a book (or more realistically, staring at a screen) can seem much more tempting than a walk in the woods. I always find that I get to this time of year and feel a little disconnected from the natural world. Somehow, each year the holiday rush and end of year projects overcome my usual priority of spending time outside.  

It’s natural for us as humans to slow down in the wintertime. The days are shorter. The weather is colder. But slowing down doesn’t have to mean spending less time outside. In fact, spending time outside intentionally can help rejuvenate us, reinvigorate us, and even bring us respite, especially during these long winter months. In the book Losing Eden, Lucy Jones writes: “The return of migratory birds. The constellations of the sky. The shape of an oak leaf. The stripes of a badger. There is a soothing constancy to nature. And of course the transitory nature of the seasons – the changing trees, the behaviour of birds and animals, the turning of the globe, the cycle of life in one year – can also be a reminder that time passes and things heal.” 

In Jones’s book, she explores how humans have become disconnected from the natural world. Jones makes a strong argument for not only spending more time outside but incorporating nature more into our daily lives. She argues that nature is essential to our mental health and happiness. Through reading Losing Eden, along with our other Ridges Reads book club books like Braiding Sweetgrass and Finding the Mother Tree, I’ve been able to reflect on our society’s relationship with the natural world and how little we prioritize it. To lean into Jones’s prescription for us all, I want to share some ideas for how you can reconnect with nature – even when it’s cold outside!  

A Note About Clothing: My mother had one of those cheesy, wooden signs in our mudroom growing up, which read: “There is no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing.” As much as I made fun of the sign, I find myself thinking of it every time I put on my multiple layers to teach a nature program or shovel snow. Clothing is key! Wool is a great base layer. It’s warmer and safer than cotton to wear in cold temps. If I’m spending a long time outside, I wear one extra layer than I think I’ll need. I’d rather carry an extra layer than regret not bringing one. I even keep an extra pair of gloves and a hat in my car in case I decide to take a last-minute hike.  

Ways to Reconnect During the Quiet Months 

1. Try nature journaling 

Nature journaling is a great way to connect with the world around you every day. You can start by noting the weather conditions, any animals or plants you see, or any changes you notice. I love to look back at my journal through the years to see when pelicans return from their winter habitat or when the paintbrush flowers start to bloom.  

One thing that I love about these snowy months is that conditions are often ideal for identifying animal tracks. Tracks often tell a story about what an animal was doing and where it was going. It’s a fun and easy activity to pick up in your spare time! 

Another activity that you can do almost anywhere is to observe birds in your neighborhood. Backyard bird feeders are a great way to identify birds. It’s also a fun way to notice the seasons changing. I still look through my grandmother’s birding journals each year to see when the indigo buntings and orioles will return to our feeder.! Observing birds can be as simple as watching trees outside your window and noting what you see each day. They even make window bird feeders now, which are great for apartments! Just be sure to clean your bird feeder regularly and purchase the right type of seeds for the birds you want to attract.  

Observing the conditions right outside your window can be an excellent grounding exercise to help you be present. In addition, by practicing your observation skills, you’re more likely to notice seasonal and environmental changes in your surrounding habitat when they happen. Not to mention, it’s a great way to learn about the plants and animals around your home! 

2. Read a book about the natural world 

Whether you’re interested in learning more about ecology, geology, animal behavior, or how trees communicate, reading is a great way to understand things and connect with them on a deeper level. One of my favorite things to do when reading a good book is to take a break and digest what I’ve read on a walk. There are even books you can put into practice while you walk! For example, The Lost Art of Reading Nature’s Signs is a great book for learning about how to observe and interpret what’s happening in your habitat. It’s a book you can easily pick up and read a chapter at a time.  

We also have our annual Ridges Reads program series coming up this month! The Ridges Reads book club pick is Losing Eden: Our Fundamental Need for the Natural World and It’s Ability to Heal Body and Soul by Lucy Jones. Our first Ridges Reads program will be a book discussion. We also have two additional Ridges Reads programs this year: Mindfulness Yoga with Deb Fitzgerald and Benefits of Forest Bathing with Jane Burress. If you’d like to join us for these free programs, you can learn more information and register by clicking on the below image:  

3. Join a group activity 

There are so many amazing groups throughout the Door County peninsula: hiking, birding, volunteering, etc. Doing things with other people is a great way to stay motivated and get outside! Whether your goal is to meet new people, explore places you haven’t been before, learn a new skill, find support through community, or contribute to a good cause, there are others who want to do the same thing. Great places to check out upcoming activities include your local paper’s activity calendar, local coffee shop, library announcement boards, and Facebook groups.  

P.S. The Ridges is always looking for volunteers who like spending time outside!  

4. Connect with Green Spaces 

Connecting with nature can feel  both time-consuming and inconsequential when you live in a place with minimal access to green spaces. However, as Lucy Jones indicates in Losing Eden, through various studies, scientists have learned that accessing green spaces, no matter the size, can improve our mental health and wellbeing. Even in urban areas, we can find small green spaces – a city park, a parkway, or a rooftop garden. Here are just a few ideas for spending time outside If you live in an urban area: 

  • find a favorite bench at a local park
  • find a walking group to explore other parts of your town 
  • plant native flower seeds in your yard, windowsill, or on a roof if you have access to one 
  • visit a nearby botanical garden or arboretum – many are free to residents or students 
  • learn to identify the trees along your street 

I recognize that those of us who live in Door County are privileged to have so many protected spaces to explore. Everyone has different ways of connecting with nature. For some, access to natural spaces is incredibly difficult and takes both time and finances to maintain. The reality is there are many barriers to accessing green spaces. If you do have the time and resources, consider giving back to your community so that everyone can enjoy green spaces where you live. Here are some ideas: 

  • volunteer in a nearby community garden
  • join an organization advocating for green spaces in your area
  • sit in on town/city board meetings to become informed about your neighborhood

These are just a few ideas that I find helpful when I feel like I need a break from spending time inside (a.k.a. watching that Netflix show or working on my computer). There are so many ways to reconnect with the natural world. The most important thing is to find something you enjoy doing outside and take time for yourself to do it when you can. As Lucy Jones writes, “Nature picked me up by the scruff of my neck, and I rested in her teeth for a while.” 

Sources: 

Jones, Lucy. Losing Eden: Why our minds need the wild. Penguin UK, 2020.