Written by Naomi RaMona Schliesman, West Central Community Engagement and Partnership Coordinator for Upstream

Hi, I’m Naomi, and my daughter Zara and I share a deep love for exploring the natural places around us in Otter Tail County and across Minnesota. Some of our most meaningful moments happen outside on quiet trails, near the water, or simply noticing the small details that are easy to miss in the busyness of everyday life.

Being in nature has become more than just something we do it’s how we connect. It’s how we slow down, breathe, and learn together.

As a parent, I’ve found that one of the best ways to encourage outdoor exploration is to make it playful and engaging. For us, that often means bringing along a small journal so Zara can draw and write about what she sees. Sometimes we bring binoculars to watch birds or look for wildlife. Other days, it’s as simple as planning a picnic near a lake or walking a trail and letting curiosity lead the way. When exploration feels like play, children naturally lean into it.

Spending time outdoors also opens the door to important conversations about respect for the land, for animals, and for the communities we’re part of. These moments become opportunities to teach stewardship in ways that feel real and tangible. Picking up litter along a trail, practicing Leave No Trace principles, supporting local farmers markets, or joining a community cleanup are all small but meaningful ways to show our children that caring for the Earth is part of loving where we live.

I want Zara to grow up not only appreciating these places, but also understanding her role in caring for them. These lessons don’t come from lectures, they come from experience, from doing, from being present together in these natural spaces.

And maybe most importantly, these are the moments that stay with us. The muddy shoes, the unexpected discoveries, the laughter, the quiet pauses, these are the memories that shape childhood and stay long after the day is over.

This spring, I encourage you and your family to spend a little more time outside. Minnesota offers an abundance of lakes, trails, parks, and open spaces waiting to be explored. You don’t need a big plan, just a willingness to step outside and see what you find.

You might be surprised by what your children notice and they become natural stewards.

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