Neighbourhood Naturalists
Neighbourhood Naturalists
Explore the outdoors with us! Join our outdoor education team as we head outside to investigate what plants and animals live in our yards and neighbourhoods. Follow along and see if you can complete the challenge with your family.
Introducing Seek
Have you ever spotted a cool plant or animal and wondered what exactly it was? One of the best solutions to uncovering that knowledge now exists right inside your pocket – and the best part is – it’s free!
Seek is a kid-friendly nature based app that uses the power of image recognition technology to identify the plants and animals around you. There is no registration required, and no user-data is collected. Your location is never stored, and once it’s on your device it doesn’t even need a data connection to work!
Week 1 Challenge
Can you identify 3 different plants or animals using seek?
Want to use Seek indoors? Check out our practice sheets!
Invertebrates
This episode is all about the creepy, crawly, but always cool…Invertebrates! They are animals that have no spine and include things like snails, worms, insects and even squid!
Week 2 Challenge
Can you find some invertebrates in your neighbourhood? Even better if you can name them or the family that they belong to! Use the seek app to help!
Want to practice indoors? Check out our practice sheets to help you get started!
Habitats
This episode is all about Habitats – the places where living things get all the food, water and shelter that they need to survive! Go for a walk, or look out the window and see what kinds of habitats you can find! Who do you think might live there?
Week 3 Challenge
Can you find a habitat in your neighbourhood? What sources of food, water, and shelter can you find? Use this worksheet to create a map of the habitat in your neighbourhood!
Mammals
This week is all about the magnificent mammals that live in our neighbourhoods! A mammal is an animal that:
- Has a spine
- Has hair or fur
- Gives birth to live young (and nurses them with milk!)
Week 4 Challenge
Mammals are experts at camouflaging. Try out our camouflage challenge!
Everyday Nature
This week is all about appreciation for the nearby nature that we see every day! How often do you see a dandelion or squirrel? Likely pretty often…but how much do you really know about them?
Week 5 Challenge
Try taking our “(Extra)Ordinary Scavenger Hunt“. Look for common species in your neighbourhood, but try to see them in a new way! How many can you find?
Turtles
Did you know May 23 is the day of the turtle? We wanted to celebrate by featuring the different turtle species that live in the Lake Simcoe watershed.
Week 6 Challenge
If you see a turtle crossing the road, make sure to brake and pull over to allow it to cross the road safely.
Invasive Species
Hundreds of invasive species have infiltrated our lakes, rivers and forests, putting our native fish, plants and animals as well as their habitats at risk. After an invasive species arrives it is almost impossible to remove it. This can cause irreparable damage to important habitats and ecosystems.
Week 7 Challenge
Here are a few things you can do to help:
- Learn to identify invasive species in your neighbourhood – you can even use the SEEK app
- If you find invasive species in your garden, try to replace them with something native – check out the Grow Me Instead Guide for ideas
- If you spot an invasive species, take a photo and report it to the Invasive Species Centre
Trees
Here’s a clue about what our topic is this week … where do saplings go to learn? ElemenTREE school!
That’s right – this episode is all about trees! Here at LSRCA, we LOVE trees! We even have a staff member from our Forestry Team that has planted more than 1,000,000 trees himself!
Episode 8 Challenge
Can you identify 2 different trees in your neighbourhood? Use this tree ID guide to help you. Use the SEEK app and see if you got your ID right!
Butterflies and Moths
I have scales but I don’t measure weight
I’m an insect but I’m not a ant
I feed on nectar but I’m not a bee
I’m colourful but I’m not a rainbow
I fly but I’m not a bird
This episode is all about butterflies and moths!
Episode 9 Challenge
Can you find a butterfly or moth in your neighbourhood? Use the SEEK app or a field guide to help you identify what you find!
Meet Our Team
LSRCA has been leading quality outdoor education programs for over 40 years! Meet ur team of Ontario Certified Teachers, Forest School Practitioners and Outdoor Education Specialists.
Need some help getting the kids outside? Check out Katie’s 5 Easy Tips for Success.
Get Social with Us!
Follow along on 
Instagram and 
Facebook where we’ll continue sharing new nature inspired activities for outdoor learning.
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Who to Contact 
Lake Simcoe Conservation Foundation
The Lake Simcoe Conservation Foundation is a proud supporter of LSRCA and our Outdoor Education program.