Week of March 16, 2025 – March 22, 2025
by Kaylen Iorio, Environmental Educator
The weeks before springtime arrives are saturated in anticipation. The snow is nearly gone, the sky is a marvelous blue, and just like the plants and animals, people are feeling revitalized. While the winter has its many festive celebrations and snow-filled activities, spring is a time for growth both outside in nature and within ourselves.
From my desk inside the Interpretive Center, I’ve been witnessing the bulging of buds on a large silver maple tree right outside the window. The blooming buds make me think of what parts of myself are blooming this season too and how other people are experiencing this time. I can already feel the weight of winter lifting off my shoulders as temperatures rise and sunshine dawns upon us unencumbered by the blanket of gray clouds.
I’m noticing a cheerful hustle and bustle of both people and animals excited to be out in the lovely weather and under the warm embrace of the sun. Early spring seems to be a time for preparation. People are planting seeds in their gardens, some familiar spring birds are appearing and preparing to nest, and trees are transporting nutrients up their trunk all the way to the tips of their branches to wake up their buds. Soon enough we’ll see trees covered in leaves and flowers and I’m sure many of us will be sneezing soon too! I can already hear the Northern Cardinals and American Robins singing in the morning, and witnessing flocks of Snow Geese and Canada Geese honking as they fly overhead!
I’m finding myself wishing to fast forward to spring in full bloom, but have been reminding myself to appreciate the seasonal transition. We often wish for what’s to come and miss out on all the wonderful things that can occur in the now. So, I’m taking this time of transition to be fully present in every moment, to appreciate the work trees are putting in to grow their leaves for spring, to appreciate the effort of birds to find a mate and build a nest, and to appreciate the moment that nature is in, now. Hopefully, we all can feel those exciting feelings of spring anticipation while also connecting ourselves with the present so as to not miss out on the many fascinating things happening in early spring!