To celebrate a year of adaptation and exploration of new ways of connecting people to the outdoors, I wanted to reflect on all the amazing work our staff has put into the Backyard. It would be impossible to highlight everything - after all, there are more than 200 unique videos, blog posts, and activities in the Backyard to date with educational content for all ages. But to showcase the diversity of work and the incredible display of talent, here are 20 highlights from the Backyard in 2020!
Patterns and Shapes Scavenger Hunt
Exploring outside is always fun, but sometimes you need some guidance for what to look for. Well, look no further! We've made tons of new scavenger hunts for you to print out and take with you on your next adventure. Check out the Patterns and Shapes scavenger hunt created by Environmental Educator Brynne Drohan.
A Nature Hike in Kirsten's Neighborhood
Environmental Educator Kirsten Maier took us all for a nature hike in her neighborhood. This video is a great reminder that there is nature all around us, even if you just explore your own city block!
My Backyard Square
In a similar vein, Environmental Educator Regina Miller decided to observe the changes in nature in just a small square in her neighborhood. Over the course of three videos, she shared how to pick out a spot for your square and how to make observations about the changes in your square over time.
Make Your Own Nature Frame
Another thing you can do while exploring outside is collecting materials for crafts. There are a ton of great nature craft activities on the Backyard, including this step-by-step guide for making a nature frame, created by Environmental Educator Annie Ela.
How To Make a Firefly String Lights Craft
Here's another great craft you can do on a rainy day. It may be cold and wintry outside now, but this firefly string lights craft is sure to light up your home and remind you of the warmer months ahead. This video was created by Science Communication intern Elizabeth Gamillo as part of the summer yardversity event.
How To Make an Oozing Pumpkin
Not so much a craft as a super spooky experiment, this video by community program educators Madeline Karian and Olivia Raasch explains the process for creating this fun, seasonal experience. Be warned: it's about to get spooooooooky!
Naturalmente! The Rock Cycle Recipe
This video from environmental educator Miguel Santos (one of many, I should add), is a great introduction to the rock cycle. Follow along with this fun activity to learn how rocks change over time! Warning: results not necessarily edible!
The UEC Puppet Pack: Storms with Thizo
Have you met this delightful band of puppets? Thanks to the creativity of the community programs team, we have a brand new batch of educators on our staff - the Puppet Pack! This year they've taught us about wetlands, metamorphosis, squirrels, and more. For an introduction to the puppet pack, check out Thizo's Guide to Storms, as transcribed by Community Programs Educator José Basaldua.
Story with Tory: The Night Gardener
Environmental Educator Tory Bahe has been reading stories all year. Beautiful narrations combined with beautiful illustrations make these videos perfect for story time any time of year! Check out this video where Tory reads The Night Gardener by Terry and Eric Fan.
Monarch Butterfly Coloring Page
Coloring is a great way for kids and adults to calm their minds. Why not learn about nature while doing so? Check out this color page, designed by Graphic Designer Markie Schmidt, which shows the lifecycle of a monarch butterfly.
Nature in My Neighborhood
We've created a ton of activities for kids, but we've also got adults in mind too. Not sure how to make nature engaging for your little ones? Check out this fun activity that staff member Roger Coleman put together for his son Auden when they went exploring last spring.
Erin's Fall Garden
Gardening is a great way to spend time outside while also having a goal or project in mind. We've provided lots of resources for gardeners to learn how to utilize their garden. One highlight from the Gardening Corner is this video by Community Programs Educator Erin Whiteny, in which she explains the ins and outs of creating a fall garden.
How To Can Tomatoes
Not only have we assisted with the creation of gardens, but we've been thinking about the tasty part that comes after the harvest! We shared some recipes utilizing the bounty of your garden, as well as this great video from Environmental Educator Alex LaBonte that introduces how to preserve your abundance of tomatoes by canning them.
Five Facts about the Virginia Opossum
I love trivia and learning as many random facts about the natural world around me as possible, which is why I've had so much fun putting together the Five Facts series of videos. Check out this recent creation, which also includes my canine child Ruthie as my co-star.
Chad the Nature Dad: Flooded Woods
Environmental Educator Chad Thomack and his daughter Kendall have been going on all sorts of nature adventures this year, and sharing them in the Chad the Nature Dad video series. I asked Chad if he could pick a favorite video and he chose the Flooded Woods video. Chad said this was his favorite because "we were outside at a time when most people don't usually get out there."
Virtual Botany Walk: Goldenrod
Land steward Jeff Veglahn has been introducing us to all the native vegetation at the Menomonee Valley branch in his virtual botany walks. In this video, he shares five common species of goldenrod you can see in southeastern Wisconsin.
Spectacular Wildflowers of Summer Self-Guided Hike
In a series of incredible multimedia SWAY presentation, Early Childhood Specialist Matt Flower has put together unforgettable self-guided hikes that anyone can do on their own time. In this selection, follow along through the Milwaukee Centennial Arboretum and discover the beautiful diversity of summer wildflowers.
Backyard Naturalist Series: Smellin' in the Rain
Easily the highest minute-count of any Backyard contributor, Tim Vargo, Manager of Research and Community Science, has been doing weekly Friday morning lectures since March about common plants, animals, and fungi you might find right in your own backyard. These Backyard Naturalist lectures are great to attend live or watch after-the-fact. Here's his favorite, which explores the many smells that come with a rainstorm and the culprits behind them.
Introduction to iNaturalist
While Tim has been teaching us about the natural history of the plants and animals, GIS and Field Data Coordinator Ethan Bott has been making the process of identifying and recording observations of them more accessible with a series of lectures on how to use eBird and iNaturalist. For an introduction to doing community science on your own time, there's no better starting point than this lecture on iNaturalist.
Swarms of Dragonflies Blog Post
Maggie Steinhauer, Research and Community Science Coordinator, uses the art of writing to explore the natural world she's seeing around her in a way that is uniquely introspective and educational. In this blog post, she ponders the meaning of the swarms of dragonflies she was seeing during the waning days of the summer.
Again, these are just 20 of the over 200 great educational materials that have been created for UEC in My Backyard since March. As we head into 2021, one thing is for certain: we will continue to find unique ways to connect you with nature, even if we can't do so together in person.
