We are excited to provide new ways to bring the wonders of our Island’s natural world to you, virtually. Below, we have compiled a list of resources, activities, and materials designed to bring the natural wonders from the outdoors, into your homes.
Bringing Nature to You
Resources and Activities
Use these links to jump down to specific categories of resources.
Use these links to jump down to specific resources.
Virtual Native Plant Walk of Springbrook Creek Preserve
Backyard Naturalist Scavenger Hunt
Literature, Podcasts, and Television Specials
Bringing Nature to You Spotify Playlist
Land Trust Preserve Virtual Tours
I). Educational Resources and Tools
Participate in the Land Trust’s Island Naturalist Scavenger Hunt
To beckon Islanders of all ages to explore and document the many plants and animals native to our Island, the Land Trust invites you to participate in the Island Naturalist Scavenger Hunt.
Our Island holds so many natural wonders and treasures—many of which can be found in your backyard and surrounding neighborhood! Discover your inner naturalist by identifying the plants and animals contained in this scavenger hunt.
First Installment
We have two versions available for download – a version you can print and fold into a booklet from the comfort of your own home, and a digital version compatible with your electronic devices! For a demo on how to fold and create your Island Scavenger Hunt booklet, click here.
Second Installment
We recently just launched a second installment of the Backyard Naturalist Scavenger Hunt! This installment features brand-new native species for you to identify on our Island, and we encourage you to get outside and explore these natural wonders in a socially-distant manner. To download a print version of the second installment, click here. For a digital version, click here.
Send a photo of yourself participating in the scavenger hunt to [email protected] for a mention on Bainbridge Island Land Trust’s social media, or, if you identified a plant or animal species not found on this list, let us know! Please be on the lookout for future installments of the scavenger hunt with new species to identify.
Use the Land Trust’s Invasive Weed Primer to tackle those pesky invasives on your property!
If you find yourself itching to get some yard work done, why not use this time at home to tackle those pesky invasive weeds that have plagued your property for months? This primer created by the Land Trust will walk you through how to identify, remove, control, and store some of our most prevalent invasive weed species here on our Island. We recommend doing so while the ground is still wet with the saturation of fall rains.
When it is safe to do so, we look forward to hosting our annual Free Invasive Disposal Days, at which point you will hopefully have plenty of invasive weed material to dispose of! To download the primer, click here.
Identify birds and their calls
When we think of spring here on our Island, the sounds and sights of a diverse variety of songbirds are often the first things that come to mind. Use this time at home to expand or brush up on your bird knowledge.
There are a number of free and interactive resources widely available for use when identifying birds and their calls, so take a look at some of the tools below and get birdwatching!
- Merlin, the free bird ID app from the Cornell Lab
- The Audubon Bird Guide App
- All About Bald Eagles! – Submitted by Hailey, an 11-year birder on the rise!
II). Activities for Nature Lovers
Embark on a Virtual Native Plant Walk of Springbrook Creek Preserve!
Last month, we produced a short Virtual Native Plant Walk, thanks to the efforts and knowledge of expert plantsman, John van den Meerendonk. Explore the natural beauty and plant diversity of Springbrook Creek Preserve and embark on our Virtual Native Plant Walk by clicking here.
Pick up a book!
Literature can provide a refreshing escape from screen-time at home, so why not order a book and support our local bookseller, Eagle Harbor Books!
Take a look at the reading list compiled below by Land Trust Staff, Board Members, and supporters for recommendations on great reads on a wide range of topics and genres, encompassed by a common theme of compassion for our natural world.
- Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer
- Birds of Seattle and the Puget Sound by Chris Fisher
- Drawdown: The Most Comprehensive Plan Ever Proposed to Reverse Global Warming by Paul Hawking
- Eager: The Surprising, Secret Life of Beavers and Why They Matter by Ben Goldfarb
- Natural Bainbridge by the Bainbridge Island Land Trust
- Stronghold: One Man’s Quest to Save the World’s Wild Salmon by Tucker Malarkey
- The Deepest Roots: Finding Food and Community on a Pacific Northwest Island by Kathleen Alcalá
- The Hidden Life of Trees by Peter Wohlleben
- The Overstory by Richard Powers
- The Story of More: How We Got to Climate Change and Where We Go From Here, by Hope Jahren
- This Is Chance! The Shaking of an All-American City, A Voice That Held It Together by John Mooallem
- What It’s Like to Be a Bird: From Flying to Nesting, Eating to Singing–What Birds Are Doing, and Why by David Allen Sibley
Listen to a podcast!
Take a look at some of these curated podcasts, below, which serve as great educational resources for nature enthusiasts, and many of which relate to the work the Land Trust is currently conducting online.
- The Wild with Chris Morgan, Bats: Busting the Myths
- The Wild with Chris Morgan, Northwest tribes’ legacy, and power of telling a good story
- The Wild with Chris Morgan, A river runs through it…once again
- Walking Podcast with Jon Mooallem, Forest Quarantine
Television Specials Worth Watching
While we encourage taking a break from your screens, there are some fantastic television specials that highlight the wonder of the natural world. Take a look at some of our recommendations, below!
Groove out with songs inspired by our love for the natural world
You read that right! The Land Trust is on Spotify, and we’ve curated a playlist of songs that illustrate our shared love for nature. Whether you’re out walking, biking, or simply find yourself at home in need of some music, this playlist is the perfect soundtrack for all nature-lovers. To listen, click here.
And thank you to Land Trust supporter Sandy Schubach for the song recommendations!
Take a Virtual Tour of Land Trust Properties
If you’re ever in need of a reminder on just how ecologically diverse and beautiful our Island is, we encourage you to take a virtual tour of two properties protected by our community and the Land Trust through the ongoing Stand for the Land campaign. To view a glimpse of the beauty that is Springbrook Creek Preserve and Miller-Kirkman Preserve, click the links below.
Customize your next Zoom meeting with Stand for the Land virtual backgrounds!
Like the Staff and Board and Committee Members of the Land Trust, you may find yourself frequently using Zoom to engage with colleagues, family, and friends. Why not spice up your next Zoom function with a Stand for the Land virtual background? Instantly teleport to some of our Island’s most beautiful and protected places, thanks to the Land Trust’s ongoing Stand for the Land campaign. Download your virtual background below!
