Hi Live Green! Enthusiasts,
It’s Isabelle, the Live Green! Social Media Engagement intern, again. December was packed full of unique, sustainable gifting and wrapping ideas and stress-free gatherings with friends and family. In order to refresh from the busy holiday season and start the new year off right, January will be focused more on self-sustainability and connecting with ourselves and the environment.
January’s campaign is called Live Green! Loves. February is the designated month of love for others, but this month as we kick-off a new year, challenge yourself to take part in small acts of gratitude (and love) for our natural world in your day-to-day life. That extra consideration can make such a difference. According to the Emotion Machine, even nature documentaries or photography can enhance positive emotions, such as amazement, gratitude, contentment and curiosity. Read more about how appreciation for “everyday” nature can boost mental health and well-being on the Emotion Machine website.
Every day offers small and large opportunities to immerse yourself in nature and nurture your mind and body. Taking a moment each day to appreciate outdoor spaces, engage in rewarding experiences, and make connections to ourselves and the world is important for our personal wellbeing and our sustainability journeys.
Natural spaces can bring feelings of joy and connectedness. If you live in Ames, the surrounding area, or even afar, the outdoors is everywhere. Brookside Park, Ada Hayden, and Moore Memorial Park are only a few examples of local parks here in Ames. Brookside Park is a species-rich space and offers a hotspot for neotropical migrant birds; The best times to birdwatch are in the spring (April to May) and fall (August to October). But, any time is a great time to venture on a walk around the park and explore the woodland trails. Ada Hayden Heritage Park Loop is a 3.4 mile loop around a lake and is perfect for all skill levels. The trail is frequently trafficked by runners, walkers and bikers. Moore Memorial Park is another large park with shelters, 1.5 miles of paved trails, prairie grass and a 1.3 acre pond. Make a note to visit Moore Memorial Park in the summer, as well, because it is an ideal picnic spot (pictured below)! In total, Ames is home to 38 beautiful parks. View a full list of parks and their amenities on the City of Ames website.
Brookside Park, Photo Courtesy of MapQuest 
Ada Hayden, Photo Courtesy of Shwans and
Lohr Family Roots Blog
Moore Memorial Park, Photo Courtesy of City of Ames
In addition to local Ames parks, Story County parks are also worth the visit to enjoy the outdoors. McFarland Park, for example, is a 200-acre area with 5.5 miles of trails and a 6.5-acre lake. They offer many outdoor programs to enhance nature appreciation and connection. This month, you can join a Winter Hike event on Thursday, January 27 from 1:30 to 3:30 at McFarland Park with the Outdoor Alliance. Learn more about McFarland activities, events and outdoor amenities, as well as view a full list of Story County parks on the My County Parks website.
In the slightly bigger picture, there are 83 state parks and recreation areas in Iowa, many of which are only a short drive away! Big Creek State Park, located in Polk City, boasts a 27-mile paved trail all the way from the Saylorville Lake area to Des Moines. There is also a 3.5 mile trail for cross country skiing in the winter! During the summer months, Big Creek Lake is a perfect beach spot (as soon as the warmer weather comes around!) with kayaks, paddle boards and pontoon boats available to rent from the beach concessionaire. Ledges Park, located in Madrid, is another state park not too far from Ames. You can hike four miles of hiking trails to Pea’s Creek “canyon,” or you can even witness spectacular views of the canyon by driving on a one-way road along Pea’s Creek. Ledges also offers picnic sites, shelters and campgrounds. View a full list of state parks and recreational facilities on the Iowa Department of Natural Resources website. Local parks, county parks and state parks are all great resources to enrich our love for nature.
Most of us are hesitant to spend time in the bitter Midwest cold, but even in winter, getting outside is important for our physical and mental health. According to the Student Conservation Association, being outside improves our moods, boosts creativity, reduces stress and improves our relationships. Read more about how going outdoors (in the winter!) is beneficial for you on the SCA website. Dress warm, layer up and set a goal for taking daily walks in outdoor spaces this winter!
Immersing yourself into experiences that connect you to nature is gratifying and do not cease at the end of the forest boundaries. Involvement in activities that enhance your appreciation for nature, such as visiting a museum, is just as meaningful as visiting a park or other outdoor spaces. The Manhattan Arts website noted a quote by American artist and theorist James Abbot McNeill Whistler about nature in art:
“Nature contains the elements, in color and form, of all pictures, as the keyboard contains the notes of all music. But the artist is born to pick and choose… as the musician gathers his notes, and forms his chords, until he brings forth from chaos, glorious harmony.”
Visit The Manhattan Arts website to read more about how nature inspires art and increases awareness. At Iowa State University, The Brunnier Art Museum features various exhibitions with art pieces that are intertwined with interpretations of nature or use sustainable materials in the process. Mythical Bounty by Lori A. Jacobson is open from Wednesday, January 19 to Sunday, May 15, 2022 at the Brunnier Art Museum. Jacobson upcycled and salvaged objects from 20th century American pressed glass manufactories and turned them into magnificent glass sculptures. Read more about the exhibition on the Iowa State University Museums website.
The Brunnier Art Museum is part of the Art on Campus Collection, which includes over 2,500 public works of art and sculptures. The art pieces are located across campus in buildings, courtyards, open spaces and classrooms. At least once a day, most of us pass by the fountain in the courtyard of the Memorial Union, called The Fountain of Four Seasons by Artist Christian Peterson, a well-known staple in the Art on Campus Collection. Keep an eye out for ones that have a connection to the natural world, as well! You can view an online digital map or a printable map on the Iowa State University Museums website.
In Ames, The Octagon Center offers art classes, events and a free community gallery. The Colors of Nature exhibition by Bridget Marcus and Pamela Douglas is open now until January 30, 2022. The art pieces were inspired by Marcus’s love for bird watching and Douglas’s appreciation for natural landscapes. This is a special opportunity to continue immersing yourself in experiences related to nature! Visit the Octagon Center website for more information on Colors of Nature and future exhibits and events.
Sustainability-inspired art and repurposing objects that might otherwise end up in a landfill is a unique way to bridge our creative sides to nature, but there are other ways to experience nature as well. Reiman Gardens celebrates sustainability and the natural world at every corner. Reiman Gardens has 17 acres with 26 garden areas. You will certainly not be bored! The Gardens also integrate sculptures and other works of art throughout the grounds, such as The Christina Reiman Butterfly. The Christina Reiman Butterfly, home to 800 butterflies, is impressive architecture designed in the shape of a butterfly.
Don’t forget to check out the current exhibitions happening at Reiman. The RG Express Holiday Train is open until January 8, 2022. You can see a garden-scale display of miniature buildings and bridges significant to Iowa State – and the best part – they are all made out of all natural materials. Keep an eye out for nature-focused events at Reiman, as well. On Thursday, January 22, there is a Nature at Noon – Living with Animals in Ames (Including Wildlife) presentation by Ron Edwards from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. at Reiman. Find more exhibits and events and plan your next visit on the Reiman Gardens website.
Photo Courtesy of Reiman Gardens
Some of the deepest connections to our world start with a connection to yourself. Nature can serve as a tool for forming and nurturing your own relationship. As mentioned above, taking walks is so beneficial, but you do not always have to travel to a park to reap the benefits. ISU Wellbeing offers mindfulness stroll guides for right here on campus. The Connection Stroll guide, specifically, leads you to spots on campus for reflective moments of pause. View the Connection Stroll guide and other mindfulness strolls on the ISU WellBeing website.
For a walk with a focus on sustainability, check out the Live Green! Self-Guided Sustainability Features and Initiatives Walking Tour on the Live Green! webpage. This walking map takes you through certified LEED buildings, research studies, landscape features and programs and partnerships related to sustainability initiatives on campus.
As well as on campus, there are many walking (and biking) trails throughout the city to enjoy. Visit the City of Ames website for trail maps, as well as information about bike safety, path etiquette tips and trail maps.
Visiting natural spaces, taking part in experiences and developing connections to the environment are purposeful acts of discovering our gratitude for the environment; But, there are also endless opportunities throughout our daily lives to appreciate sustainability and the natural world.
Love letters, although typically given to people, are one way to communicate and reflect on our experiences with nature. As part of the Live Green! Loves campaign, the whole Live Green! team will share their own personal love letters reflecting on daily moments that evoke feelings of appreciation for sustainability and the natural world. Stay tuned on the Live Green! Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for the team’s love letters.
If you become inspired to create your own articulation of love for the natural world, consider writing a journal entry, a note in a planner or on a calendar, or an actual letter. When forming your “love letter,” use the same method you would if you were to express your love for a person. For more tips on crafting a love letter, visit the Chicago Tribune website.
Wishing everyone a gratifying and reflective January filled with love!
Live Green! 