{"id":22573,"date":"2024-07-18T01:00:00","date_gmt":"2024-07-18T01:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/goodnewsmags.com\/manchester\/?p=22573"},"modified":"2024-07-16T16:49:48","modified_gmt":"2024-07-16T16:49:48","slug":"beth-girard-nature-whispers-back","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/goodnewsmags.com\/manchester\/beth-girard-nature-whispers-back\/","title":{"rendered":"Beth Girard: Nature Whispers Back"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

T<\/strong>OWERING OAK trees cast cool shadows as you wander along winding trails. Breathe in the sweet fragrance of honeysuckle colliding with the earthy musk of damp soil. A warm sigh of wind rustles the leaves \u2014 each of the rustles a fleeting glimpse into a hidden realm, transforming local state parks from scenic oases into living laboratories. This is Tennessee\u2019s natural paradise waiting to be explored at Tims Ford Lake and Barfield Crescent Park, just two of the many havens the Tennessee Naturalist Program (TNP) offers. The TNP isn\u2019t exclusively for exploring. It\u2019s about connecting. Learn about Tennessee\u2019s intricate ecosystems, fascinating wildlife, and the delicate balance of nature. Help us protect and preserve Tennessee\u2019s wonders for generations to come.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The TNP is a transformative experience for volunteers like Beth Girard. She conducts hands-on classes that inspire a lifelong exploration of Tennessee\u2019s ecological treasures. The program, a rigorous 10-month course, equips volunteers with an in-depth understanding of the state\u2019s geology, flora, fauna, and intricate ecosystems. This profound knowledge forms the foundation of Girard\u2019s educational programs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wildlife viewing is a favorite among hikers at the Murfreesboro Chapter of the Tennessee Naturalist Program at Barfield Crescent Park, reporting sightings of barred owls, deer, turkeys, or an occasional snake, bobcat, or coyote. In Girard\u2019s case, it is also a growing favorite at Tims Ford State Park. She walks her students through the lives of invertebrates like spiders and cicadas \u2014 which we know well as of late \u2014 as well as amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals. She even has a personal collection of her own.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI have a collection of reptiles that I use in programming, including several snakes (all under 6 feet long), lizard, and turtle species,\u201d Girard said.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Girard hopes to ignite a lifelong passion for science education. After moving to a new area, she craved a way to share her enthusiasm for nature with others, particularly children. The TNP provided the perfect platform, allowing her to connect with a community of like-minded individuals while making a positive impact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI have volunteered and worked as a science and natural resources educator for most of my adult life,\u201d she explained. \u201cI couldn\u2019t see a future where I no longer shared my time with others who want to know more about nature and the species we share our planet with.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the TNP, volunteers cater their programs to the specific needs of their audience. For Girard, she transforms the forest floor into a playground of discovery for children. Tiny hands explore the cool, damp dirt, discovering a wriggling earthworm or a smooth, polished stone.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNothing beats getting into the dirt and touching things to help us understand concepts and ideas,\u201d she said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Her \u201ctouch tables,\u201d full of fossils, feathers, and animal pelts, reflect her belief that learning happens best through immersive experiences.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe also have a turtle and a snake that love to come out for touch time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Girard adopts a more nuanced approach to snakes for adults. Her \u201cSnakes for Adults Who Aren\u2019t Sure About Snakes\u201d program dispels fear and promotes understanding. She dispels myths, sharing fascinating facts about the vital role snakes play in the ecosystem. By the end of the program, participants no longer see these creatures as menacing predators but as elegant, ecologically important members of the park\u2019s community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cCitizen science\u201d is another pillar of Girard\u2019s philosophy. She encourages visitors to participate in projects that contribute valuable data to the scientific community. Whether it\u2019s through platforms like iNaturalist or collaborating with park rangers, Girard empowers people to become active participants in protecting the environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

During the summer, groups of park-goers venture through the park with smartphones and new knowledge of iNaturalist, meticulously documenting the flora and fauna they encounter. Citizen science transforms visitors into scientists, leading them through the intricacies of environmental protection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Girard envisions a future where schools, homeschool groups, and youth organizations embrace the educational opportunities that their local Tennessee Naturalist Program offers. Educational research has shown the importance of planting a love for nature in children before they reach puberty, as their environmental values become more challenging to change at that point. When children love nature, they are more likely to protect it as adults, working to ensure that we preserve as much as we can for future generations. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIf we can build on information and concepts that students are already learning in the classroom or home, it doubles our impact,\u201d she explained. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

TNP volunteers all over Tennessee, like Girard, serve as nature whisperers, leaving everyone they meet with a sprinkle of wonder and respect for the environment. Some volunteers educate people about the power of the natural world. Others gather groups together and embark on foraging hikes, monitor streams and lakes, or create pollinator gardens in parks and help with invasive species removal. The TNP equips and provides you with the resources to help preserve our world \u2014 and that isn\u2019t exclusive to teaching. GN<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

TOWERING OAK trees cast cool shadows as you wander along winding trails. Breathe in the sweet fragrance of honeysuckle colliding with the earthy musk of damp soil. 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