The Big Garden Bird Watch
The Big Garden Bird Watch is a huge citizen science project that takes place on the last weekend of January every year. This link to the RSPB website suggests ways anyone can get involved. Maybe something to do as a church? perhaps a bird watch in the churchyard?
Snowdrops - February
Snowdrops are such a welcome sign of spring on the way. One of my old churches always used to hold a "Snowdrop Lunch" - a lovely opportunity to get people together in one of the colder months for fellowship and a sign of new life to come.
There are many gardens in Devon that have wonderful displays of snowdrops - find some of them here - or maybe take a group for a nature walk - perhaps with prayer stops?
Apple Day 21st October
Apple Day was begun in 1990 by a charity called Common Ground, based in Dorset, which promotes community conservation and environmental education in England. From their website:
"Apple Day, 21 October, was launched in 1990 by Common Ground. The aspiration was to create a calendar custom, an autumn holiday. From the start, Apple Day was intended to be both a celebration and a demonstration of the variety we are in danger of losing, not simply in apples, but in the richness and diversity of landscape, ecology and culture too. It has also played a part in raising awareness in the provenance and traceability of food."
You can find out more from their website here
If you have a community orchard, or held a Wassail event in January - perhaps follow that up by celebrating the apple harvest - or look out for local events celebrating apples - such as at RHS Rosemoor and other shows and see whether you can get involved. Do you have any local cider makers? Ask them to join in with your harvest festivals ...
National Tree Week - November 26th to December 4th 2022
National Tree Week is run by the Tree Council - link to their page here
They offer several suggestions for getting involved - including planting a new tree.
How might you get involved? Have you space in your churchjyard to plant a new tree? Can you join in with any village events? Organise a nature/prayer walk in a winter forest? Have competition to identify different trees in your locality?