Wildlife
Urban, suburban, farmland, or woods, everybody has wildlife in their neighborhood. Slow down and look around, who knows what you might discover? From birds and squirrels to butterflies and lizards, everyone lives at the heart of a fascinating ecosystem. Spend some time contemplating the wild world around you this month!

This challenge offers a chance to connect with nature for positive mental health.

Habit:
Notice the small lives that surround you

Daily:
Spend five minutes observing a wild creature

To Do:
Identify at least:

• 3 birds
• 3 insects
• 3 animals

Read a book or watch a video about wildlife (or a particular animal of interest) in your area

Reflection:
This challenge was incredibly fun! It really encouraged me to slow down and observe the natural world in a way that stuck with me for weeks after it was over. Also, I’ve really gotten into identifying the insects in my garden with my field guide. As to the identification task in the challenge, my local wildlife includes: chipmunks, squirrels, bunnies, eastern gray catbirds, tree swallows, goldfinches, common whitetail dragonflies, gold-backed snipe flies, and bold jumping spiders. (And for the record, tree swallows are gorgeous, and I watched the jumping spider eat a dragonfly. Wow!)

(This caterpilllar would like to remind you that you are what you eat. Rhododendron, anyone?)