Bear Hugs: Engaging With the Grandkids

by Mary DeStefano

Celebrating Earth Day by Connecting with Cacti!

“OUCH! That sounds painful to me!” said my granddaughter when I suggested my idea.

As I thought of ways to celebrate Earth Day, I began at the front of the alphabet thinking of air and anthills then on to the ’s while thinking of birds, bugs, babies and buds. t the C’s I stopped with the first word C CT S or CACTI. It seemed the perfect choice.

Next, I tried to entice my granddaughter into liking cacti. I asked her who loves cacti and she promptly said, “No one.” Then we talked about how many animals are dependent on cacti and made a list. She was still not a believer, so I suggested a cacti walk in my neighborhood.

On the walk we saw a bird nesting in some cholla cacti and birds hanging out in saguaro holes made by Gila woodpeckers and gilded ickers. She found several holes in the dirt around cacti as well as bugs on the ground. As we walked we played I Spy’ for different types of cacti found. We took photos and when we returned to the house she looked up to see what other animals benefited from cacti.

Image: shutterstock.com

This year for arth ay, I’ve decided to make a cactus treasure hunt. It may happen on a walking path in Saguaro National ark, on a trail near the house, or at ach’s reenhouse Cactus Nursery. Ith , species of cactus of all colors and si es you’ll never grow tired.

No matter how you choose to celebrate, remember this year’s theme.

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