Our Natural World

GRABBING YOUR GROUPS ATTENTION Your group will be going on a Nature Scavenger Hunt. Rather than collecting objects, they will be listing ideas on paper. The hunt will help participants discover how much they have in common with the natural world and how the natural world influences their survival. This activity sets the stage for learning and embracing Leave No Trace principles.

Begin the activity by conducting one of the following:

• an excursion to an outdoor setting such as a park, canyon, river, or desert
• an excursion to a natural setting via a slide show, color photographs, or posters.
• a mind excursion where participants imagine their favorite natural setting
• a mind excursion where participants close their eyes while you describe a natural setting.

THE ACTIVITY Give each participant a piece of paper and a pencil. Have them make three columns with the titles, Things in Nature, Things We Have in Common, How It Helps Me. Participants are to observe their environment physically if they are outdoors, or mentally if they are indoors. They must find objects in nature and tell how they are like that object. Make sure they consider less noticeable things such as air, soil, sun. For example:

Things in Nature, Things We Have in Common, How It Helps Me

• Tree.  We both have an outer layer to protect us (bark/skin). A tree gives me oxygen.
• Soil.  We both contain minerals. Soil helps grow my food.
• Ant.  We both need shelter. They are fun to watch.

THE DISCUSSION Have participants share one or more of their connections. Help them to discover that this personal connection is where a commitment to land stewardship begins. Land stewardship is the goal of Leave No Trace. Outline for them what they will be learning about Leave No Trace in the future.