‘MOOSE-ies for Families’ Program Helps Families Have Fun Outdoors

Thanks to Kari Lygren and Lorrie Drake for these photos of the recent 'MOOSE-ies for Families' activities.MMRG recently presented two events designed especially for children and their families to have fun together outdoors while learning about the natural world. The recent Family Moonlight Walk and Family Bonfire Storytime are part of MMRG’s ‘MOOSE-ies for Families’ program, which was initiated a year ago to foster future generations of conservationists. Both events were sponsored by MRP Manufacturing, LLC of Pittsfield, NH.The Moonlight Walk in September took place at Leary Field & Forest in Farmington, where good views from a high hay field afforded glimpses of the almost full moon climbing between the clouds. Naturalist Sally Cornwell was the guest trip leader. During the walk up the hillside, Sally led the group to a large patch of milkweed that days before had sported an abundance of monarch caterpillars making the most of their sole food source. The kids were delighted to find several monarch butterflies, which, Sally explained, must have recently hatched and would soon be making their fall flight to Mexico.In the fading light at the top, Sally told Native American animal stories and taught the families to imitate the call of a Barred owl. To everyone’s delight, a three-way conversation among Sally and two owls ensued, becoming a four-way exchange as a young attendee mastered the hoot and joined in. Then the owls were interrupted by a strange chittering noise, which Cornwell identified as a porcupine nearby, to the relief of the puzzled crowd.MRP Manufacturing, LLC co-owner and former MMRG Board member Cyndi Paulin attended the Moonlight Walk, because she wanted to be there to “watch the kids’ faces.” Said Cyndi, “I love this ‘MOOSE-ies for Families’ program. This was exactly what we started talking about back when I was on the Board, wondering what outdoor experiences MMRG could host to spark the feeling of discovery and connection to our local landscapes that many of us were blessed to experience as kids.  Mark, Matthew and I at MRP are very excited about MMRG’s new family program and honored to support it. It was a delight to walk back down the moonlit trail and listen to the kids and parents chatting about what they enjoyed and still listening for owls along the way.”An October Bonfire Storytime at McKenzie’s Farm in Milton kicked off the second year of ‘MOOSE-ies for Families’ events. Led by MMRG staff and volunteers, the evening’s main attractions were two bonfires that children alternated freely between: one exciting roaring blaze and a second quieter campfire where kids roasted marshmallows on a long stick. MMRG volunteer Pastor Tom Gardner brought cards with pictures of creepy creatures and plants and told tales of their weird habits that kids tried to match to the picture cards. A second popular game had children guessing which animal was in the hidden photo based on other kids’ answers about its habits; honey bee, frog and otter, among others, tested kids’ knowledge of wildlife.MMRG, a non-profit land trust, works to conserve and connect important water resources, farm and forest lands, wildlife habitats, and recreational land in Brookfield, Farmington, Middleton, Milton, New Durham, Wakefield, and Wolfeboro. Throughout the year, MMRG offers many educational opportunities to inform all ages about the benefits of our region’s natural resources. ‘MOOSE-ies for Families’ stands for Members Only Outdoor and Social Events for Families; the program of six ‘MOOSE-ies for Families’ activities per year is free for MMRG members. MMRG’s website, www.mmrgnh.org, has a calendar of upcoming ‘MOOSE-ies for Families’ activities and a link to join online.  If the membership fee of $25 per household per year is a financial burden, families may inquire of Executive Director Patti Connaughton-Burns about available scholarships by calling (603) 473-2020. MMRG would like to thank all the MMRG volunteers who helped the kids have fun, McKenzie’s Farm for the Bonfire venue and MRP Manufacturing, LLC of Pittsfield, NH for sponsoring these events.