ACTIVITY: DISCOVERING MY BACKYARD
We are thrilled to introduce you to the “Discovering My Backyard” activity, an exciting initiative designed to encourage exploration and appreciation of the natural wonders right in our own backyards.
As stewards of outdoor recreation at your base, you play a vital role in fostering a sense of adventure and connection with nature among our military community. Through this activity, we invite you to embark on a journey of discovery, empowering Airmen, Guardians, and their families to embrace the beauty and richness of their surroundings.
Join us as we unlock the treasures hidden within our backyards and inspire a new generation of outdoor enthusiasts.
OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES:
Introduce the activity:
Start by introducing the “Discovering My Backyard” activity to your audience. Explain the purpose of the activity, which is to encourage exploration and appreciation of nature in one’s own backyard.
Promote:
Use various communication channels to promote the activity, including social media, email newsletters, base websites, and bulletin boards.
Highlight the benefits of engaging in backyard exploration, such as fostering a deeper connection with nature, promoting physical activity, and providing opportunities for family bonding.
Activity Ideas:
Provide a list of suggested activities that participants can try in their backyard, such as:
- Nature scavenger hunts: Create a list of items for participants to find, such as specific plants, insects, or wildlife.
- Birdwatching: Set up bird feeders or bird baths to attract local bird species and encourage participants to observe and identify them.
- Nature journaling: Encourage participants to keep a nature journal where they can record their observations, sketches, and reflections on their backyard discoveries.
- DIY nature crafts: Suggest simple nature-based crafts using materials found in the backyard, such as leaf rubbings, pinecone bird feeders, or rock painting.
- Gardening: Encourage participants to start a backyard garden, whether it’s a vegetable garden, flower garden, or herb garden. Provide tips for getting started and maintaining the garden.
Safety Guidelines:
Remind participants to prioritize safety when exploring their backyard, including wearing appropriate clothing and footwear, staying hydrated, and being mindful of potential hazards such as sharp objects or poisonous plants.
Encourage participants to practice Leave No Trace principles by respecting wildlife, plants, and natural habitats, and disposing of waste properly.
Engagement and Sharing:
Encourage participants to share their backyard adventures on social media using the #embracethewild hastag, and consider hosting a virtual sharing session where participants can discuss their experiences and learn from each other.
Create a sense of community by featuring participant photos and stories on your social media channels or website..
BACKYARD EXPLORER RESOURCES:
iNaturalist is a community-powered platform where users can upload photos of plants, animals, and insects for identification by experts and fellow enthusiasts. The platform also offers species guides and interactive maps to explore biodiversity in different regions.
The National Audubon Society provides online field guides for birds, plants, insects, and other wildlife commonly found in North America. These guides include detailed descriptions, photos, and range maps to aid in identification.
BugGuide is an online resource dedicated to the identification and study of insects and related organisms. Users can browse through photos and information on thousands of insect species, submit their own photos for identification, and participate in discussions with expert contributors.
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) offers an online Plants Database containing information on thousands of plant species native to the United States. Users can search for plants by common or scientific name and access detailed descriptions, photos, and distribution maps.
Discover Life is a comprehensive online database of living organisms, including plants, animals, fungi, and microorganisms. The website offers tools for species identification, including interactive keys, photo galleries, and species profiles.
BAMONA is an online resource dedicated to the identification and study of butterflies and moths in North America. The website provides species accounts, distribution maps, and photo galleries to assist with identification.
eBird is a citizen science project by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and National Audubon Society, focused on birdwatching and bird data collection. Users can explore bird species distribution maps, submit their own bird sightings, and access birding hotspots and species checklists for their area.
Project Noah is a mobile app and online platform for documenting and sharing wildlife observations. Users can upload photos of plants, animals, and insects, and contribute to global citizen science projects and research initiatives.
The appearance of external hyperlinks does not constitute an endorsement by the U.S. Air Force, or the information, products, or services contained therein. For other than authorized activities such as military exchanges and Morale, Welfare, and Recreation sites, the U.S. Air Force does not exercise any editorial control over the information you may find at these locations. All provided links are consistent with the mission of this website. Click Here for Official Policies
SOCIAL MEDIA RESOURCES:
Sample Post
🌿✨ How to Use Our Social Media Posts:
Introduction (Week 1): Share our introductory post to announce the launch of our ‘Discovering My Backyard’ activity. Encourage followers to stay tuned for more details and get ready to embrace the wild!
Engagement (Week 2): Use our engagement post to invite followers to participate in the activity. Ask them if they’re ready to join the adventure and remind them to share their backyard photos using the hashtag #embracethewild.
Reminder (Week 3): Remind followers to share their backyard discoveries with us using the designated hashtag. Encourage them to keep the adventure going and inspire others to connect with nature.
Call to Action (Week 4): Use our call to action post to encourage followers to share their backyard adventures with us. Invite them to use the hashtag #embracethewild and showcase their outdoor experiences to inspire others.
Hashtags
Post 1: Introduction (Week 1)
Copy: “🌿✨ Introducing our ‘Discovering My Backyard’ activity! Join us in exploring the beauty of nature right in your own backyard. From birdwatching to nature scavenger hunts, there’s endless adventure waiting to be discovered. Visit our websit for more details! #embracethewild #FamilyAdventure #ExploreNatureNow #GetOutdoors #OutdoorAdventures #MyAirForceLife #AFLiving #AFlife #AFandMe #USAF #SpaceForce #exploreoutdoors #alwaysanadventurewithoutdoorrec #MonthOfTheMilitaryChild”
Post 2: Engagement (Week 2)
Copy: “Are you embracing the wild? 🌳🔍 Don’t forget to share your backyard adventures with us using the hashtag #embracethewild! Whether you’re birdwatching, exploring the insects in your backyard, or simply enjoying the outdoors, we want to see how you’re connecting with nature in your own backyard. Join the adventure today! #FamilyAdventure #ExploreMore #MyAirForceLife #AFLiving #AFandMe #USAF #SpaceForce #exploreoutdoors #adventure #MonthOfTheMilitaryChild”
Post 3: Reminder (Week 3)
Copy: “Don’t forget to share your backyard discoveries with us! 🌻🦋 Use the hashtag #embracethewild to share your photos and stories of outdoor exploration. Whether you’re spotting wildlife, identifying plants, or simply enjoying the fresh air, we want to hear from you! Keep the adventure going and inspire others to embrace the wild. #OutdoorAdventures #ExploreMore #MyAirForceLife #AFLiving #AFlife #AFandMe #USAF #SpaceForce #exploreoutdoors #alwaysanadventurewithoutdoorrec”
Post 4: Call to Action (Week 4)
Copy: “It’s not too late to share your backyard adventure with us! 🌿🐦 Use the hashtag #embracethewild to showcase your outdoor experiences and inspire others to connect with nature. Join the conversation and let’s continue to embrace the wild together! #FamilyAdventure #MyAirForceLife #AFLiving #AFandMe #USAF #SpaceForce #alwaysanadventurewithoutdoorrec #MonthOfTheMilitaryChild”