Get Outside to Pause and Notice Nature This Month

Northwestern’s Office of Well-being and sustainNU invite you to Pause and Notice Nature this month. Whether you live in an area of high rises, ample parks, or a more rural locale, the natural world is all around you and sometimes we need a reminder to notice and appreciate it.  

Join us for a month of exploration with ideas for experiencing your surroundings in new ways. Discover which species of trees grow on your street, notice different bird songs, or just take the time to watch the sun set. You can do this in your own neighborhood or find a new location to explore. Pausing to notice the natural world around you can have a positive effect on your mental health, reduce stress, create a new appreciation for the natural world, and inspire you to take action to protect nature.  

“By discovering the natural world and the types of animals, plants, and nature around you—we can reconnect with what so many of us take action to protect every day through sustainability,” said Sarah Tulga, Program Assistant to sustainNU.

Use the Pause and Notice Nature calendar for activities and resources to help you explore and connect to nature in new ways. There are new suggestions every day but feel free to jump around and find what resonates with you. You can take it a step further to learn more about what you’re noticing by joining our iNaturalist Northwestern Project. Post an image on iNaturalist to crowdsource identification, support biodiversity research, and become a citizen scientist. Have questions? Join us on August 11 for an Intro to iNaturalist webinar. 

This is a great activity for team building, family fun, or making time for yourself. Use this experience as an opportunity to see your neighborhood with a new lens and make connections with the world around you. We hope you’ll join us in remembering to Pause and Notice Nature.