“Be Still, Be Nature”. This is a comment we often share with our students in our forest school program. When we are still and quiet like nature, we can engage all our senses to be part of this mystical, mysterious world. 

I was collecting my bags out of my car and heading into work. When I looked behind me, I saw this deer. It looked smaller than I had imagined one would look up close, perhaps it was a young deer? It seemed to be trying to get something off of its hoof. I stood still, waited and watched- then realized, I could take a photo. At one point it stopped and our eyes locked, I told the deer to carry on. It went across the parking lot and into the forest, with another look back at me, it hid behind the trees. 

A co-worker arrived in the lot and tried to see the deer in the forest, but it had run away.  They are doing a lot of construction near our site. At first, I wondered if the deer had a burr, then I worried that a human left something on the ground that injured the deer. 

This made me ponder our impact on their natural habitat. We talk about stewardship, sustainability and caring for the environment. Are we considering our encroachment into their habitats when we construct new buildings and communities? How do we consider our human footprint in ecology? Are we honouring their way of life? Or are we thinking, “what a great place to put ‘x’!!!”.? 

While I was in awe of being that close to nature, it also concerned me that we are seeing them on a more regular basis, are they losing their space to quietly roam the land in search for food, shelter and water? Will they become acclimatized to our being near them and have less fear of our proximity? 

I have found that as I take the time to be still and engage my senses that I am creating a closer connection to nature and a passion for preserving it for generations to come. Let us consider caring for our earth in ways that honour ALL that share this beautiful landscape. 

Live Love Nature,

Roxane