Daily Dose of Nature
I feel you. Here at the Trust we too are feeling restless.
The only way I’ve been able to stay sane is by getting into nature. And I’m not alone!
Visitation in the sanctuary has steadily increased since COVID-chaos hit. It’s well known that nature reduces stress, anxiety, and depression, and is good for the body. Since exercise at least lets us head outdoors, why not do it in nature?
Now is as good a time as any to get your daily dose of sunlight and fresh air. I’m Millie the sanctuary ecologist, and I’m going to help you get into nature.
Audio Tour
If you’re heading into Mulligans, why not download our app before you go? Take a jaunt throughout the sanctuary by selecting one of our pre-recorded tours; Woodland Walk, Wetland Walk, and Ground to Sky Walk.
There has been such a high download rate of this app that we are looking into adding more walks. Why not contact us and suggest your ideas?
We got such great feedback last year about the Mulligans app, we have created one for Jerrabomberra Wetlands too! Download it here: https://www.jerrabomberrawetlands.org.au/audiotour
On the topic of apps …
Field guides are great, but they’re also pretty heavy! Like with Canberra Nature Map, this is where having your phone comes in handy. Here are some of my favourites:
Canberra Nature Map
Found an interesting beetle on your walk? Or a plant whose name you’ve forgotten? Take a photo and upload it to Canberra Nature Map. Qualified experts explore the images and help you to identify the species in your photo.
Go online or download their app, called NatureMapr.
To learn more head to canberra.naturemapr.org
Spidentify
I have a soft spot for spiders. To identify a species, the app takes you through a fun little quiz by breaking down your location, what habitat you found your spider in, the shape of its body, and how it moves. Spidentify is a great one for kids too!
PK Birds
A complete bird field guide in your pocket. Pizzey & Knight’s field guide is well known in its book form, but you may find the app has all you need. An added bonus is the ability to listen to calls in the field, which I find is the easiest way to confirm a bird identification.
Great free apps
– ACT Field Guide (a handy field guide for the invertebrate and vertebrate animals found in the ACT. There is also an equivalent app for each state.)
– FrogID (It’s Shazam for frogs calls!!)
– Australian Birds & Sounds (fairly self-explanatory).
Prefer to put the phone down?
Nature scavenger hunts are the bomb.com. The best one I’ve come across is from NaturePlay. Try printing this out next time you let the kids loose! www.natureplaycbr.org.au/library/2/file/Nature%20Play%20SCAVENGER%20HUNT.pdf
But Millie – I hear you say – I’m in lockdown! Don’t worry friend, I got you. If you can’t get out into nature, let me bring the nature to you.
Digivol
We have a thriving online community of volunteers helping identify the species on our camera traps stationed around Mulligans Flat and Jerrabomberra Wetlands. Simply create a login, search for the Woodlands and Wetlands Trust and get identifying!
Youtube
Not to toot our own horn, but the Bettong Bungalow has had a massive revival. Okay, maybe I do want to toot our horn! Check out our Quoll Den episodes and other videos.
Livestreams
While working at home, live bird cams have become my favourite thing to run in the background. By far the most comprehensive collection of live feeds comes from the Cornell Lab in the US. Check out their fantastic streams at ww.allaboutbirds.org/cams/
In these tumultuous and uncertain times it is important to focus on the positives. Video calls to loved ones, daily dance parties in the living room, and exploring nature will get us through this.
I hope you have been inspired to channel your inner Sir Attenborough and explore the glorious nature we are lucky to be surrounding by. I look forward to seeing you (from a safe distance of 1.5 metres) in the sanctuary soon!