It’s that time of year when I am publishing my annual nature study goals for all to see. This provides me with the incentive to progressively work on my goals and to keep myself accountable at the same time. There are no surprises on this year’s list because the simple goals are actually the ones that end up being the most meaningful and reachable. For those that have been readers here for the past few years, you will see a few repeats of goals that have gone unfulfilled and this year I am determined to be better at planning a way to reach my goals.
A friend of our family says to “plan your work and then work your plan”. There is wisdom in that thinking.
Nature Study Goals 2016
- Complete 2 out of 4 Outdoor Hour Challenges each month posted on Fridays. I think this is ambitious goal. I will be including our experiences in my monthly nature study recap posts.
- Research and learn about four birds. Learn the call, field marks, and create a nature journal.
- Focus on learning my local wildflowers. Create some sort of record of each flower. I have not decided what form this record will look like but once I get started I am hoping it will come together.
- Take Yosemite photos from the Yosemite photography book- Since this was a fail last year, I am going to aim to take three photos during each trip in 2016.
- Visit a new national park. (You can see a list of my national parks entries below.) We are thinking Bryce Canyon, Olympic, or Rocky Mountain depending on which way we head out from California.
- Visit two new state parks.
- Identify three rocks from my original challenge. This has been more difficult to accomplish than originally anticipated but with a more concentrated effort I think we can really make this happen.
- Read 10 nature related books!
I always love to read your goals so leave me a comment with your goals or a link to your blog if you post an entry there. Thank you for always being so supportive of my goals as the year rolls by.
Great list!
I love learning about local wildflowers. When we first moved here to the island, it was so nice to see new-to-me wildflowers! I always think about pressing flowers to record them. My mother used to that, I should give it a try myself. Maybe that would be a good way for you?
I wrote my goals for this year. You have inspired me a lot again 🙂
http://lifeonacanadianisland.blogspot.ca/2016/01/my-nature-study-goals-for-2016.html
Wonderful list and I’m so glad you are going to be able to use so many of my resources. Thanks for sharing your list and link Alex!
You have such a wonderful variety of goals, Barb. I went through a couple revisions for my goals this year based on what I thought I could do on a trip and in what I hope is possible in reality. Had anticipated visiting a national park and two reservations in Idaho to enjoy the natural beauty there, but the timing won’t work out. Perhaps in future years.
Your website is a continual inspiration. It’s so interesting to see the different birds and flowers you have in your area of the country.
If you’d like to see my goals for this year, they are here: http://harvestmoonbyhand.blogspot.com/2016/01/16-nature-goals-for-2016.html
I will admit I was never a fan of goals. I need to be more consistent with implementing nature study in the winter. Have you been to Sequoia National Park? Your post on Saguaro was a big help to me last year. This year we are planning on a spring trip to Southern CA.
We have been to Sequoia National Park….it was awhile back. I am waiting until we visit again to make an official entry. My best suggestion is to use the park’s website and look under “planning your visit” for their suggestions. So glad you found the Saguaro entry helpful. I would love to go back there again too!
Last year was our second visit to Saguaro (we are from WI). The first time several years ago, my in-laws were directing us and we just drove around thinking that the driving loop is all there was to the park. It wasn’t until I saw your post that I even realized there was a visitor center and trails! Last year we went on our own, hit a few trails, and my kids even did the junior ranger program based on your recommendation.
Those are some ambitious goals. But you’re better off setting goals and almost hitting them than not aiming for any goals. I like how you put numbers in each goal so you can measure your success at the end of year. I’ll have to attach some numbers to my (also ambitious) goals!
Good luck!