Trees Make Great Friends
Submitted by Paige Rosner, Helen Schuler Nature Centre
As our region heads into another spring and summer of dry conditions we thought it was a good time to remind people of the many ways that trees make our communities better places to live and play. These incredible beings clean the air, sink carbon, help manage storm water and erosion, and provide habitat for countless other species. They block the wind, create shade, enhance the beauty of our parks and neighbourhoods, and provide playful opportunities for fun throughout the year.
Trees make great friends! During group games they become landmarks and timeout spaces. They are the building blocks for outdoor forts, climbing structures, balance beams, hammock holders, and swings. In imaginative play they are giants, circus tents, homes, and umbrellas. They contain portals, fairy doors, and can dance in the wind. In the long shadows of a moonlit night, they shape shift into spooky characters with stories to tell. They provide rest stops, nap stations, and places to quietly watch birds and other wildlife.
Trees, by their nature, are also great at sharing. They share their shade, fruit, seeds, and nuts. Their trunks, branches and leaves are homes or resting sites for so many other beings. Trees also help us mark the passing of time. They celebrate with us, the arrival of new seasons.
At the Helen Schuler Nature Centre, our Education Team spends a lot of time thinking about trees, talking about trees, and strengthening visitor’s connection with trees. Over the years, many of us have come to realize this personal connection to trees is one of the ways in which we de-stress, stay healthy and active, and generally feel good!
Here are a few games to play with tree friends in your neighbourhood:
Trees have personality!
Seek out your favorite trees and give them a fitting name and a unique persona.
Find a tree that best matches each person in your family.
Create a story using the trees in your yard or neighborhood as the main characters. Shrubs, flowers, and the chorus of little grass blades can be supporting characters!
Trees are artists!
Make art with tree parts. Examples include leaf rubbings, a mobile with sticks, or a collage.
Photograph yourself with your favourite tree each season to mark the passing of time and a deepening friendship. Photograph each family member with their tree!
Many trees contain pigments that can be used to dye fabric. Examples include beautiful brown dyes from walnut husks and pine needles.
Trees are strong!
Build a fort using a tree as an anchor point.
Find a tree to climb! Remember to be safe and treat the tree with respect.
Use two trees to hang a hammock. Many portable hammocks can be easily hung in public spaces and taken down when you’re done!
Play safe! It is important to remember that trees are living beings. We need to play kindly and respectfully, just as we play with people. Make sure you climb trees safely. Don’t linger under trees on windy days. Keep the tree’s safety in mind. Bark protects the tree from the elements, animals, insects, and disease. Use wide straps when hanging hammocks, as rope can cut into the bark. Avoid straining branches and leave pruning or heavy leaf removal to the professionals!
Plant a forever friend at home. The Helen Schuler Nature Centre has a tree guide to help you choose a hearty, drought-tolerant tree to plant in your yard. You can also register new or existing trees on our Tree Registry so future generations will know who planted the incredible tree they enjoy. If you live in Lethbridge, or are planning a visit, check out the Tree Passport showcasing some of the largest and most unique public trees the city has to offer. Visit the Nature Centre to pick up your passport.
Visit nature.lethbridge.ca/1000trees to learn more.
Sources and references
June 2014. Forest and Nature School in Canada: A Head, Heart, Hands Approach to Outdoor Learning.
Moore, R. (2014). Nature Play & Learning Places. Creating and managing places where children engage with nature. Raleigh, NC: Natural Learning Initiative and Reston, VA: National Wildlife Federation.
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