Five years ago I lived in Arizona. It was warm and sunny all the time. Then, over the course of a few months we decided to move to Minnesota - where it is not warm or sunny for nearly six months out of the year. Getting outside during the winter was hard enough for me, but getting kids out was a whole other challenge. After a few years, Michelle and I are just now figuring it out. That's why this conversation is so helpful. Monica is not just an interpretive naturalist, but a passionate educator and advocate for the outdoors - especially during winter. I'm fortunate to live across the street from Richardson Nature Center where Monica works and it was a pleasure to sit down and chat about how we can get kids into and loving the outdoors during winter. We talk about gear to keep kids warm, habitats and how they change during winter, where you can go to get snowshoes for cheap or free, fun activities for your kids and learn about some really cool animals like snow fleas! If you live in a place where winter is a real thing, you want to listen to this. And if you don't, you should still listen to it. You never know when you might make the big move! Links: Newsletter: www.wilderoutdooracademy.com/newsletter National Environmental Education Foundation: https://discovertheforest.org/ Dressing for winter:https://www.threeriversparks.org/blog/how-dress-winter-weatherhttps://www.weather.gov/safety/cold Subnivean zone: https://northernwoodlands.org/outside_story/article/subnivean-shelter-snowhttps://fdrd.org/the-subnivean-zone-the-world-beneath-the-snow/https://www.schlitzaudubon.org/2019/12/20/beneath-the-snow-the-subnivean-zone/https://woodlandwoman.ca/exploring-the-subnivean-zone/ Voles!https://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=meadowvole.main Dead trees as habitats: https://www.nwf.org/Garden-for-Wildlife/Cover/Trees-and-Snagshttps://dogwoodalliance.org/2023/05/why-dead-trees-matter-more-than-you-think/https://woodlandstewards.osu.edu/sites/woodlands/files/imce/0018.pdf Winter birdwatching:https://parkconnection.org/blog/2020/fall-winter-professional-birding-tips-minnesotahttps://www.friendsofeloisebutler.org/pages/seasonal/birdswinter.htmlhttps://www.audubon.org/news/easy-ways-get-kids-birdinghttps://www.nationalforests.org/blog/birdinghttps://www.mprnews.org/story/2023/02/03/winter-play-we-tried-minnesota-birrrdwatching-in-januaryhttps://www.dnr.state.mn.us/birdfeeding/winter.html Spent prairie flowers are still beautiful:https://arboretumnaturenotes.wordpress.com/2018/01/16/life-on-the-winter-prairie/https://fieldguides.fieldmuseum.org/sites/default/files/rapid-color-guides-pdfs/919_usa_prairie_seed_heads-version_2.pdfhttps://the-natural-web.org/2012/11/30/a-winter-garden-can-be-a-wildlife-habitat/https://mnnativewildflowers.com/2020/12/22/winter-wildflower-chasing Snow kitchen - secondhand items, play dishes/cookware, or real stuff you can sanitize after:https://www.sunhatsandwellieboots.com/2013/01/snow-kitchen-outdoor-play.htmlhttps://happytoddlerplaytime.com/snow-kitchen-toddler-preschool-winter-snow-day-sensory-activity/ Snowshoeinghttps://www.threeriversparks.org/activity/snowshoeinghttps://visit-twincities.com/hit-the-road/stories/dashing-through-snow/https://www.fws.gov/refuge/minnesota-valley/visit-us/activities/snowshoeing#:~:text=Stop%20by%20the%20Bloomington%20visitor,maps%2C%20visit%20our%20Trails%20page. Stargazing in Winter:https://www.nativeskywatchers.com/https://www.amnh.org/explore/ology/astronomy/a-kids-guide-to-stargazinghttps://www.pbs.org/parents/thrive/stargazing-and-other-astronomy-activities-you-can-do-with-your-kids Used winter clothing: https://arcsvaluevillage.org/ Acorns:https://deerassociation.com/look-inside-acorns-to-find-deer-hunting-success/https://www.catmanoutdoors.com/post/learn-your-acorns Building a conservation ethic:https://www.nrpa.org/blog/five-fun-activities-for-teaching-kids-about-conservation/https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/conservation_and_kids_getting_into_naturehttps://w