We are currently at the end of our “Green Giants” session – the last one of 2009, and are having fun learning about trees – especially in this season as the trees are slowing starting to change color at Spring Lake. It’s a beautiful time of year at the lake.

While the weather is turning colder and rain is imminent, it is nevertheless still a good time to get outdoors with your children. The fall colors can be spectacular and my children have had some of the most fun splashing through puddles, finding earthworms after a rain, and watching flocks of Canada Geese migrate south this time of year. There are so many fun activities you can do with colorful autumn leaves (see the nature activity on the next page for one idea).

Another special event taking place right now in nature is the return of thousands of Monarch butterflies to the Monterey Bay area where they will spend the winter. It is a bit far but if you’re in the area, it is well worth checking out one of the Monarch’s resting spots, like the Monarch Grove at Natural Bridges State Beach in Santa Cruz. We just visited at the end of October and it was spectacular to see hundreds of Monarch butterflies fluttering about and hanging from the trees. Public tours are offered on weekends in November at 11:00am and 2:00pm and no reservations are necessary.

Thanks, and hope to see you outdoors!

Stephanie Derammelaere