Helping you care for our land, water, soil, and wildlife
Greetings from Napa RCD, and welcome to the second edition of our weekly activity digests!

The results are in: Spending time outdoors provides numerous benefits to our physical and emotional health and sense of well-being. Scientists have made great strides towards documenting all the ways nature helps in recent years, this study published in the journal Nature is just one example of such a study. Whether it's a walk around the block or a visit to a nearby open space, try these activities to build your connection to your home environment and watershed - while staying 6 feet apart from others, of course!

Don't forget to share the things you're finding and doing on social media, tagging @NapaRCD and #WILDnapa. We can't wait to see what you're up to!

Many thanks to the following education and outreach activity sponsors for their support: NOAA, County of Napa, City of Napa, the Watershed Information and Conservation Council, and Friends of the Napa River.
Online & Inside Activities
Do you know what watershed you are in?

A watershed is your home "water region" - a place where all lands are connected by waterways. Keep in mind that watersheds are not just water!

Use this watershed mapping tool to visualize all the lands that make up your home watershed. Find the 3 major watersheds of Napa County, then find out which watershed you live in. What creeks and rivers are you connected to? Each of Napa County's watersheds are unique and connect us to each other and all the other living things around us.
Online & Outside Activities
Dabble in Birding

Birding is one of the most accessible nature-based activities out there. Birds are everywhere: downtown, in neighborhoods, on the Napa Valley Vine Trail, and in our open spaces. Anyone can take the time to look and listen for them.

Beginners are often intimidated but don't fear, there are resources to help you! One of the most popular (and FREE) birding apps is from the famous Cornell Lab of Ornithology- Merlin Bird ID . It allows you to sort possible birds by size, color, and location, making it easier to find what you're seeing in your yard and neighborhood! What kind of birds are you noticing?
Nature Journaling
Use these 3 prompts each time you practice observation:
  • I notice
  • I wonder
  • This reminds me of...

These prompts will help keep you curious, focused, and thinking like a scientist! Make sure you write these 3 phrases somewhere in your journal so you can revisit them at any time.

John Muir Laws has made a whole career out of sharing his love of nature journaling with people from all walks of life. Check out his website to dive more deeply into these prompts- take a look, then practice, and see what nature journaling will do for you! Find a comfy spot to sit, either inside or outside. Close your eyes. Take a couple deep breaths, in and out. When you open your eyes, take notice of what catches your attention first. Spend a few minutes observing that object: What do you notice? What do you wonder about it? What memory, feeling, or thing does it remind you of? Track your thoughts and questions in your journal.
No Tech Needed
It's a bug's life!!

Follow this tutorial from CalAcademy to create a space in your yard to observe insect life on your driveway, in a flower bed, or in your yard.

Build on last week's skills by uploading images of what you find to the iNaturalist app!
Weekly Challenge
Native oak trees are flowering across Napa County right now. For this week's challenge, look around your neighborhood for light green clusters of hanging flowers at the tips of oak tree branches. Pick a cluster and examine it; draw it in your journal if you want! You will find male and female flower parts which will turn into a bounty of autumn acorns.

Weekly Nature Nugget
Each week, we will feature a new header image in our weekly digest. Check the bottom of the newsletter for a little info on what is featured each week!

This week's featured flower was found at Skyline Park and is called Owl's Clover, or Castilleja exserta. You can learn more about Owl's Clover on CalFlora .
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Napa County Resource Conservation District | 707-252-4189 | NapaRCD.org