CARMEL, Ind., May 14, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- While many adults recall childhood summers of sunburned faces, grass-stained jeans and dirty fingernails, kids today have become so immersed in electronic media that a fishing pole is now a Wii controller, Dora is the only one exploring, and digging in the dirt – well, there's an app. for that.
"We are on a mission to bring people and nature together, and often that process starts in childhood," said Jim Carpenter, CEO and Founder of Wild Birds Unlimited, the original and largest franchise system of backyard bird feeding and nature specialty stores. "Sometimes the most simple of things that you do at home can be the spark that ignites a child's lifelong passion and appreciation for nature."
Carpenter offers five simple activities:
1. Put up a Hummingbird Feeder – Setting up a bird feeder near your home gives an up-close-and-personal view of the illusive hummingbird.
2. Bird Watching / I Spy a Bird-Watch for birds wherever you go for a week and make a list of all the birds you saw and where you saw them (field, forest, marsh, yard, or park).
3. Listen & Observe Nature – By cupping their hands behind their ears for better hearing, guide your child to identify sounds made by insects, birds, or mammals. Help them learn to identify birds they see and hear in their backyard and mimic bird songs, perhaps with the use of a bird identification book.
4. Help Birds to Build their Nests – Lend a helping hand to the birds in your area by supplying them with simple nesting materials. Put out some wet mud, moss, small twigs, straw, short lengths of string or knitting yarn and see which birds use the different materials for their nest.
5. Make an Observation Blind for Observing Backyard Wildlife – Because getting close to birds can be a challenge, drop a sheet with some cut out observation holes around some lawn chairs or over a cardboard box and let your children get a sneak peek as they approach your backyard feeder or bird bath.
For more fun activities, visit our web site at www.wbu.com/camps
About Wild Birds Unlimited
Wild Birds Unlimited is the original and largest franchise system of backyard bird feeding and nature specialty stores with more than 275 locations throughout the United States and Canada. Wild Birds Unlimited specializes in bringing people and nature together with bird feeding and nature products, expert advice and educational events. Visit our Web site and shop online at www.wbu.com. To learn how you can open your own Wild Birds Unlimited, visit http://www.wbufranchise.com/">www.wbufranchise.com.
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