My family’s primary purpose is to bring people together during not so easy times. We have created this page for people to share anything from crafts to pass the time, to hacks that will save you toilet paper. COVID-19 has brought us all together in some ways; it’s also pushed us apart. People are social animals and especially in this time we should all focus on trying to maintain a healthy distance while still being a part of a healthy community. My family is lucky enough to have foods that are healthy and have a high nutritional value. Others are not so fortunate. Some people live in small apartments in the city. They can’t get outside as much as I can. Talking from experience living in a cooped up space and not being able to go outside and get all your energy out is hard enough, but not being able to get out period is a whole other hurdle. I live on a dirt road with not much traffic. This in my opinion is a blessing. When COVID-19 was less of a problem living with no one in a one-mile radius was one of the worst things ever, I couldn’t walk across the street and play with other people. But now it’s something like a gift; I can get out and walk in the street without people close by. 

Now more than ever, it is important to be safe. My sister got a concussion at the beginning of this year, and now I’m starting to think about how bad it would be if she got one now. If she gets one now, she will no doubt have to go to the hospital; hospitals now are needed to be used for people who are sick. Another aspect of that would be that if you go into a hospital, then you are at risk of being tested positive for COVID-19. If you live with people who are at high risk, then it would be worse. Hospitals should not be used for broken wrists or legs. That is why safety is so important.

Family is now more than ever, the number one priority. This quarantine time has given me an opportunity to spend more time with my family. Even though you can’t spend time with some of your family members in person, we are lucky enough to live in the twenty-first century; we can skype, zoom, facetime, text, call, etc. We have so many ways to communicate with friends and family. I have some family in Massachusetts, two cousins under five. One turned one last December, and one just turned five. Once a day, I read to both of them. Today we started a chapter book, reading a chapter a day. This is just one example of many things that families can do every day. 

Social media is one way that we can all stay connected. From reading posts on a webpage to scrolling through hacks on toilet paper use on Instagram. I know that you can feel alone but just think; everyone is going through the same things you are. I was reading posts on a friend’s website. She was talking about things people are doing to stay together as a community. Two things that particularly stood out to me are: one, people are putting stuffed animals in windows, so when people go on walks, they can count how many stuffed animals they see. Two, in places like where I live, people are painting rocks and leaving them outside, then when people find them, they can post a picture on an Instagram site she set up. My family and I are looking into making a site where we can post ways to stay connected while social distancing. 

Looking back on how life was back in 2019, I am amazed to see how different it was to just do normal things like go to the bathroom or eat lunch. I feel as if we stay together through blogs, social media, phone calls, and talking to each other from six feet of distance. Things are definitely different than how they were, but eventually, this will become our new normal.

NORA ROBBINS

Going outside in these awful times is a necessity for a happy life. Nature is one place that you can escape from this awful reality. Sometimes if you just need a brake taking a nice long walk in the woods can calm some screaming nerves. One thing you should always keep in mind is that no matter how bad it gets your family will always be there to support you, even if they aren’t right next to you they will always be with you in spirt.

Sometimes all you want to do is sit down on the couch and watch TV and try to forget about what’s happening. But trust me when I tell you going outside will be MUCH better.

I have a challenge for you! If you do the things listed below, you will be an official Junior Naturalist. If you participate in this challenge you are also participating in the environmental defense fund. For more information on the environmental defense fund click here https://www.edf.org/.

1. Participate in the plant a tree challenge. For this challenge you have a week to plant ten trees. Once you have done this take a picture of your tree and post it in the comments below.
2. Only use recyclable or paper bag for a week.
3. Become a vegetarian for a week.

Here are ten ways to help the environment!

1. Use reusable shopping bags or paper bags when necessary.
2. Recycle whenever possible. Save your notes!
3. Watch how much you use your car. Carpool when ever possible.
4. Decrease the amount of meat you eat to nothing or almost nothing.
5. If you decide to paint your house use a latex paint instead of an oil based paint.
6. Watch how much hot water you use.
7. Adjust your thermos stat.
8. If you have the heat on don’t leave windows or doors open for more that necessary.
9. Try your best to avoid products with lots of packaging.
10. Instead of using plastic water bottles and plastic bags.

Hello and welcome to my blogging page. My name is Nora. Ever since I can remember I have loved reading books about the great outdoors. I go to a summer camp in Maine, where when you are 14 you can take classes on becoming a naturalist.Once my mom became a master Maine naturalist, I have wanted to become one too. One day my friend said that I should start a blog. I was super exited to start a blog, so I asked my mom for some help. All my mom said was to do something that you are passionate about. So I did.

I love the outdoors, and as our planet is increasingly at risk and we need to rise to the challenge. Look at all of our world’s biggest problems. Climate change, forest fires, these are all challenges that face naturalists all over the world. Junior Naturalist is an organization that is working towards earning one million dollars to donate to 350.org. To learn more about 350.org click here https://350.org/about/. You can show your support by reading Junior Naturalist blog and donating to the causes. To find out more about how you can help fix our biggest issues subscribe to Junior Naturalist.

Hello and welcome to my blog. My name is Nora and this blog. This is for anyone who wants to become a junior naturalist.