Thanks to Amy Gardner and Kari Lygren for these photos of our recent Natural Decorations activities.

Kids love to explore the outdoors, learn about animals, and put their creativity to work through natural craft projects. MMRG recently provided an opportunity for children and their families to do all these things at a ‘MOOSE-ies for Families:Natural Decorations’ event. ‘MOOSE-ies for Families’ is a program that seeks to encourage the next generation of conservationists by offering families a series of nature-oriented activities where children have fun together outside while learning about the natural world.

The Natural Decorations event began with a walk through woods and fields to look for evergreens, identify white pine, spruce and balsam fir, and learn about sustainable ways to harvest boughs or whole small trees by weeding out crowded stands. Kids got to try their hand at pruning and even investigated coyote scat on the trail, revealing bits of animal bones. Following the walk, families made a number of ‘natural decorations’ including holiday kissing balls, sprays and natural bird feeders . MMRG Education Coordinator Kari Lygren was impressed by how absorbed families became with their craft projects: “The whole place got quiet as they concentrated on their creations!”

A series of seven ‘MOOSE-ies for Families’ events is already planned for 2020: Snowshoe Tracking in January, Birdhouse Building in March, Using a Map to Find Your Way in April, Following a Stream in May, the annual Woods, Water & Wildlife Festival in August, Rail Trail Scavenger Hunt in October, and Natural Holiday Decorations in December. ‘MOOSE-ies for Families’ events are a membership benefit for MMRG member families, but non-members are encouraged to try out their first family activity for free. Click here for a flier of 2020 MOOSE-ies for Families events and dates. For more information, please contact our staff at mmrgnh@gmail.com or 603-473-2020. Click here to join MMRG today.

We would like to thank MRP Manufacturing, LLC in Pittsfield, NH for sponsoring the 2019 ‘MOOSE-ies for Families’ series, and the Dorr Foundation, which supported the program with a grant.