GROWING A NATURE LOVER

By Stacy Marcus, Sales and Marketing Assistant

Plateau is in the business of helping landowners protect their greatest asset, their land. The ultimate goal for many landowners we work with is to become a better steward of the land, a "title" that can be passed to the next generation of responsible land stewards by simply sharing your love of nature now. For the children in your life, you hold the key to unlocking the beauty and wonder of all things wild. Over the past several years, we have heard about the increase in childhood obesity, depression and ADHD.There seems to be a strong and direct correlation between these conditions and the lack of nature in the lives of children today. In his book, Last Child in the Woods, Richard Louv gives a label to this very condition, Nature-Deficit Disorder.

Think back to your childhood memories, how did you spend your free time? Did you collect fireflies in a glass jar and watch them in your dark room while drifting to sleep? Maybe you had a favorite climbing tree where you watched storms blow in. Or were you the collector? I bet your mom learned early on she needed to check each and every pocket for your precious, sometimes perishable souvenirs before sending them through the laundry. Now, think about that special child in your life. How do they spend their free time? The common answer usually involves one or another screened device. Our busy lives have called us away from our family dinners; instead we watch TV or read emails. Surely, you've seen families eating out in restaurants where each member is either on their phone or gaming device.Think back to road trips. This is where I first learned to read a map as I watched mile markers and road signs pass. Now, most families just turn on a movie.

You might be asking yourself, "How do I change this?" Start with what you know and love. Invite that special little person to join you on your next adventure. Whether it's fishing, hunting, hiking, camping, bird watching or kayaking, bring them along. Chances are they will be excited just to be able to spend this time together with you. Occasions like this can forever change and enhance their quality of life. Knowledge is power, and by providing these opportunities for children to learn how to engage with nature, you allow them to know it intimately. Author Louv writes: "To know the name of something is to know it personally." Studies also show that children who are able to connect with nature cope more favorably with stressful events in their lives. This is also true for adults, even an afternoon walk around the office helps clear the mind (3pm seems to be the preferred walking time here at Plateau).

While connecting with nature doesn't have to be planned (sometimes the best experiences are spontaneous), having the basic tools at the ready certainly enriches the experience. Find an unused backpack or bag and begin making your field pack. Depending on the age of the child you'll need: sun block, water, journal or notebook with pencil, binoculars (they have children's versions too), empty containers to collect specimens, tweezers, magnifying glass, field guides, butterfly net and camera. Now go outside and explore! You never know what mysteries are just waiting to be discovered. Still feel stumped? Open the door and let your child lead the way.

Additional resources can also be found online. Texas Parks and Wildlife at www.tpwd.state.tx.us has a wonderfully informative site including a section devoted especially to kids. Another suggested site is the Children's Nature Network at www.childrenandnature.org.

For the children in your life, you hold the key to unlocking the beauty and wonder of all things wild.

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Plateau Land & Wildlife Management helps Texas landowners protect and enhance their greatest asset -- their land -- with wildlife management plans, wildlife tax valuation assistance, qualifying wildlife management valuation activities, and more.