4 Great Ways to Connect with Nature During COVID-19

The world has changed in recent months. Canadians who love spending their time enjoying the great outdoors and exploring the world from the comfort of their RVs suddenly find themselves landlocked at home. If you fall into this group, it doesn’t mean you can’t spend your time connecting with nature. In fact, it gives you an opportunity to experience nature in new ways.

These are a few great ways you can connect with nature while protecting yourself and the people you love from the very real threat COVID-19 represents.

Bring the Best of Nature to Your Computer, Tablet or Mobile Phone

Technology is a beautiful thing. While most people view it as a distraction from nature all around us, at times like these, it offers you a window to the world so that you can connect to the nature you cannot reach out and touch.

Thanks to the Internet, you can now stream live webcam views of some of your favourite places in nature. Great options include:

• Grasslands National Park Bison Watering Hole Cam
• Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise Live Webcam
• Emerald Lake Lodge Webcam
• Saguenay-St. Lawrence Park Webcam
• Banff Jasper Collection of Webcams

As you can see, the ability to explore the world of nature is readily available at your fingertips and computer screen, even if you’re stuck at home due to the recent pandemic.

Spend Time Outside

Whether you have a balcony, a patio, or a large backyard, spending a little time outside every day is your best option for connecting with nature. Even if the temperatures remain too cool for spending a lot of time stationery outside watching the world go by, you may enjoy a few minutes at different times throughout the day to help you enjoy some connection with nature.

If you live in an apartment with a limited patio or balcony access, consider a small patio heater to keep you warm while outside. If you have a backyard to work with, consider a fire pit for warmth. You can even make an event of it if you have children self-isolating with you, and roast marshmallows or hot dogs over the open flame.

Another option to consider is to grill dinner outside. If the weather permits, even consider dining out in the elements. It’s an opportunity to escape the confines of your home that allows you to enjoy your family and experience a little extra fresh air in the process.

Go on a Hike

Almost any small or large city in Canada is filled with opportunities to get out and hike. Take advantage of the opportunities they represent while practicing social distancing if other people are around. If you’re among the high-risk group or have loved ones at home who are among this group, consider virtual hikes on a treadmill at home. Virtual hikes allow you to choose from various destinations, seasons, and experiences so you can view nature as you go about your treadmill routine. You could even bike to them if you desire though many of the modern exercise bikes have some sort of virtual programming to help you get the experience of being outdoors as well. These give you the benefits of exercise with the experience of nature.

Go to the Zoo, Virtually Speaking

COVID-19 is a worldwide pandemic with nations and businesses around the world stepping up to offer entertainment, adventure, and more. This includes many prominent zoos and aquariums across the globe offering live streams of their animals, including:

• Melbourne Zoo and Werribee Open Range Zoo
• Detroit Zoo Otter Cam
• Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada
• MeerKat Camera at Zoo Miami
• Live Stream Animal Cams from Arignar Anna Zoological Park
• San Diego Zoo Safari Park Live Cams

Looking to learn more about the residents of these zoos? Many have resources available for fun home activities and lesson plans for kids as well as live virtual learning. A few Canadian zoos offering those resources include:

• Toronto Zoo
• Calgary Zoo

COVID-19 has changed many things about the way we live our daily lives and how we connect with nature. For RV-loving Canadians, though, you can continue connecting with nature. The above are just a few of the many options available to you.