It’s fascinating to think about how humans, past and present, mark the changing of the seasons with cues from the natural world. In northern New England, the transformation from winter to spring feels like one of the more dramatic changes as new smells, sounds, and colors appear that have been absent for many months. Here at Farm & Wilderness, the robins and red winged blackbirds have returned, local sugar makers have begun collecting sap, and the ice is starting to melt on Woodward Reservoir and Lake Ninevah.
Take a few moments to think about your favorite signs of spring. Often, it seems that people develop a relationship with nature at a young age, and when they smell or hear or see certain natural phenomena, it brings out a nostalgic memory from their childhood.
Because both our organizations are deeply rooted in immersing and connecting people of all ages with nature, we thought it would be interesting to ask our amazing staff at Farm & Wilderness and Farm & Wilderness Conservation about their favorite signs of spring. Below are some of the responses:
"When you hear the Canada Geese migrating back, flying high up in the sky in their v-shape"
"In the early spring, the trees start to get rings around them where the snow has melted from the heat of the tree"
"My favorite part of spring is the longer hours of daylight! I feel like the world is waking up after a long hibernation."
"In late winter/early spring I love seeing the tiny little shoots peeking out of the soil in my perennial garden. And a bit later, the maple blossoms!"
"Ruffed Grouse drumming their wings attracting mates"
"It is so fun to see everything wake up - the grass is starting to straighten after being compressed under the snow all winter, the frogs are starting to croak and chirp, and the crocuses and daffodils are sending up their first leaves."
"Willow buds opening up"
"I love to see the Crocuses pop up around old homesteads."
“I love the longer days, light green buds emerging from branches, bright flowers bursting, and robins bouncing around.”
“For me, Spring is when I start to see the leaves of the Tulips and Daffodils, and I remember that if they can survive through the April snow, so can I!”
“Song birds! Crocuses and grass peeking through snow, drip, drip, drip. Sounds of waterfalls and runoff, and of course, sap buckets”
“The almost neon yellow color of the new budding leaves on trees, especially on the mountainsides.”
“The first time I can hear the birds when I go outside in the morning is when I know spring is finally here.”
"Crocuses! I'm always happy to see these little gems pop up – kind of randomly, really – all around the yard. I think even more, I love the forsythia, which is only yellow for a short time so that feels kind of special too."
“I had a moment this morning before I left for work, it was the first time I could see the Tulips starting to come up from the ground, while I could also still see the last bits of snow…definitely thought to myself, spring in Vermont is almost here!”
"Seeing Yellow Spotted Salamanders and helping them cross the road as they head to vernal pools to breed.”
“The bright yellow Coltsfoot and the spotty leaves of the Trout Lilies I know will soon be accompanied by Trillium”
“Forgetting all the spots I have planted different bulbs across my yard and being so tickled when the little green shoots start to appear!"
“Moss and Lichen starting to green up again after being covered by snow and seeing the ferns start of unfurl.”
“The sound of rushing water as the snow melts and the smell of the earth thawing out after a long winter.”
“I know that spring is here when the mountains turn that beautiful vibrant green.”
"At our house there is a large puddle that our family calls 'the frog pond'. This time of year we watch the ice melt away and our toddler eagerly checks each day to see if the frogs have emerged again. Last year, we watched their eggs appear and later hatch into tadpoles in early May."
“Seeing Snow Drops and Crocus and smelling dirt as it thaws out. Truly an earthy smell!”
"My favorite part of Spring is the moment all the leaves just pop open. It feels like it goes from stick season to lush forest in an instant, and the green is so vibrant after months of brown."
"Hearing American Woodcocks doing their mating dance in an old pasture by my house. They make such a great noise and fly so high up into the air."
“Seeing Wild Leeks!”
“I know spring is on the way when the tiny flowers on Beaked Hazelnut trees pop out with their vibrant fire red firework-like flowers.”
"Pops of color everywhere, hearing the Robins again and remembering how colorful their eggs are!"
"Looking for spring ephemeral wildflowers like Hepatica, Trillium, and Bloodroot."
“I love hearing the Wood Frogs and Spring Peepers!”
We hope reading those responses brought back some memories and serve as inspiration to get out there and notice all that spring has to offer. As you spend time in nature, we encourage you to pay attention to details, great and small, and observe how such little changes in the natural world can bring so much joy to your day.