As the end of the year draws nearer, I am thinking about and wrapping up my nature study goals for 2015.
2015 was a year of change and of upheaval in our family…I am not all that great at handling changes so having some nature study goals and a plan to keep myself from ignoring the restorative power of being outside was a huge blessing. I need to balance my life with not only thinking about nature but actually getting out into it on a regular basis. It grounds me. It comforts me. It keeps my mind more positive….the quiet time for prayer and meditation under the sky is one of the best ways I know to keep putting one foot in front of the other when you face challenges in life.
Goals Update
1. Yosemite Photo Project: As I determined in the third quarter, this photo project was just not going to happen in 2015. I’m not sure why I had such a hard time with getting going but I’m pretty sure it had to do with lack of planning. I have a spring trip to Yosemite on the books and reservations made so perhaps I will get my act together before then to actually accomplish this goal in 2016.
2. Visit one new state park: Accomplished this one!!! Sugar Pine Point State Park . We also visited Sunset Beach State Park last month with our boys. What a glorious place to beach walk!
3. Visit one new national park: Accomplished during the second quarter – Zion National Park.  PLUS Pinnacles National Park too!!!
4. Visit a bird refuge:Â We actually visited the Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge in New Jersey back in October. I will be posting a complete entry about it soon!
5. Take one new hike: We did a lot of hiking this year but none from the local hiking guidebook that I purchased last year. I realized this also didn’t happen because I had no clear plan…the spot in my planner is blank still. Lesson learned.
6. Read ten nature-related books this year:Â I accomplished this goal with flying colors! I enjoyed having the books chosen ahead of time and I have already started to compile my list for 2016 which I will be sharing soon!
7. Rock project: None added in 2016. I either don’t like rocks as much as I thought or I can’t convince myself that I want to pursue this goal. But, one of my books for 2016 is on rockhounding and it has specific places that we can visit to collect rocks for our collection. I am excited about this goal again!
8. Create one nature journal entry each month: Yes! Using the Once a Month Nature Journal ideas, I have been able to create at least one page a month.
You might like to read the Planning Nature Study for the Year post from last month for some ideas to get you started.
 Here are some of my favorite entries from the year if you haven’t seen them already.
Summer Days Filled With Goodness: I loved this hike that my husband and I took back in July. Keeping a blog helps keep those memories alive and I love sharing them with all of you readers.
Outdoor Mom’s Journal – November: This was an entry all about our trip to the East Coast with our kids…highlight for our year!
Zion National Park: This was a fantastic road trip to Zion and Grand Canyon National Parks! Wish I could do it again right now!
 So that ends another year of nature study…now to create goals for 2016! Reflecting on my circumstances in life may alter the goals on the list but I will make the goals and see what happens. I invite you to join me in 2016 with your own list that helps your family get outdoors together and learn more about the plants and animals that share your world.
There is always something new to learn!
Lovely photos, Barb. A great variety of landscapes in your part of the world. Have a great Christmas.
It is a place of contrasts for sure…beauty all around. There will be new things to share in 2016!
Looking forward to hearing about and seeing your trip to Yosemite in the spring! 🙂 Would love to see a shot of Yosemite Falls flowing. That’s the one thing you miss going in September, like we did. The sights are still amazing though! That was still my favorite part of our road trip, falls or no falls. Have a blessed Christmas!
We are praying for waterfalls in the spring! So far this year looks like it is going to be wet and there will be snow up on the Sierra to melt to create those amazing waterfalls. I will definitely share our trip!
Barb, I always appreciate how genuine you are — things missed, things really enjoyed, reflections on changing life circumstances and how they impact your goals, when you can’t get motivated, and yet at the same time, why you appreciate nature study so much… it really encourages me to get out there in the midst of my own life challenges! Thank you.
It is a season for me to learn more about myself than ever before. I had my children while I was very young and I missed having the adventures in my young adulthood but both my husband and I decided we were too young to give up trying to see what we could, while we still can. Thanks for your sweet comment. I hope I continue to encourage. I have held back so many personal trials this year and I know my blog has suffered because I haven’t been sharing the behind the scenes events of 2015. I am ready to start fresh in 2016.
What a full year you had! You visited some amazing places. I look forward to making a nature goals list this year and trying hard to follow it. I will add a page in my bullet journal which will help me stay focus for sure!
It’s so nice to spend some time on your blog again, I have missed it!
Alex, I read your blog in a blog reader so I keep up with your world. You always inspire me to do more crafts and get outside too! I think putting things in your bullet journal will help keep your regular and on track. I find that if I don’t make a loose plan that I don’t accomplish much. You are such a faithful follower and support for everything I do…much appreciated.
Thanks Barb! I am so happy to read I inspire you too. We inspire each other 🙂
I have made a list in my bullet journal and for the first time picked up a nice nature journal for myself!