MNN - Mother Nature Network

 

Fall is my second favorite season, besides summer (of course), because it is the time of year where nature rejoices one last time before going into hibernation for the winter. The way nature rejoices in Pennsylvania is for the trees to turn magnificent shades of gold and red, for the soil to produce funny looking fruits and vegetables (particularly pumpkins and squash), for animals to forage for extra food to last them through the winter, and for the climate to change to a mixture of warm but breezy days so we could still enjoy the outdoors before snowflakes begin to arrive.

 

One of my favorite parts of fall is the annual trip to the pumpkin patch with my entire family, where we might take all day to find our way through corn mazes, visit with the farm animals in the petting zoo and carefully hand-pick the perfect pumpkin that will be used in our carving ceremony.

 

Other interesting aspects of fall would be getting rid of old electronics that could be recycled at local recycling centers. At this time of year at my college, Marywood University, the Environmental Club goes knocking from door to door on designated streets that have been previously informed that students will be around to collect old and broken electronics so that they can be recycled or disposed of properly instead of winding up on the landfill. This includes all items from old cell phones to computer batteries to printers and ink cartridges. Instead of calling it Halloween where kids go out searching for candy, it is called Hallowgreen where collecting and recycling materials are the main goals. This is the one time of year where I can recycle all my old electronics and feel good about it rather than simply throwing them away; it’s good to know there are other options.

 

Another huge reason I enjoy this season so much is because of Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving in my family means remember the people that have helped us in the past year and the events that have shaped us and made us grow stronger. It is also the time to be thankful for everything you have, that nothing should ever be taken for granted. Thanksgiving is celebrated because of what the Native Americans did for the pilgrims many years ago, and how they shared with us secrets of using the environment to help us survive better off the land.

 

This is why around this time of year, I feel very in touch with surrounding nature and all the plants and animals around me. Fall is my last chance to view the environment alive and full of energy before it takes a temporary sleep. It is my last chance to enjoy the fresh fruits and vegetables that local farmers produce, my last chance to enjoy the beauty of the trees as they turn from green to reds and yellows to a bare tree, empty of leaves, and my last chance to take part in any outdoor activities (I’m not a winter person, as you can tell) such as hiking, biking or just taking walks through the parks. If I listen very carefully, I can almost hear the plants and animals celebrating the last moments the sun will be out, then watching the animals hurry to gather any and all materials they can manage before the long and harsh months of winter come.

 

Photo: educationaltoysplanet.com