The Pine Project
276 Carlaw Ave. Unit 302 M4M3L1 Toronto, ON, Canada

On this week's #StaffSpotlight, we're excited to re-introduce you to Pine's Director of Development & Communications, Tatiana! Bouncing around between countries growing up, Tatiana built an appreciation for the interconnectedness, complexity and beauty of all things on earth. She’s spent the past decade working in outreach, research, and program management for environmental nonprofits. After sailing across the Pacific Ocean and van-camping across Canada, she moved to Toronto ...and joined the Pine Project in 2018. Since then, she’s been on her own journey of nature connection. She’s found particular joy and growth in embracing being a birder as someone who loves watching birds without feeling pressured to know the name of every one, learning from her many gardening mishaps, practicing gratitude, and singing in groups. One of Tatiana’s favourite places to be is laying in a hammock under a big spruce tree in her backyard, listening to birds, smelling lavender, and watching squirrels be sneaky. Over her time at Pine, she’s come to more deeply appreciate nature in the city. Tatiana finds the process of making cordage from natural fibres incredibly soothing. She has a goal to create a cordage basket to gift to a loved one over the winter holidays this year. Tatiana recently rediscovered that violets are magic! When you add a few drops of lemon juice to violet syrup, it turns from blue to purple. So cool.

For today’s belated #MysteryMonday, we thought we’d share a clip of one of the voices that has been singing loud and clear in the parks recently. Are you familiar with who this beautiful voice/song belongs to? Hint: if you look closely, you might see some bright orange amongst the leaves.

The new year is the perfect time to find new ways to connect with nature! Check out these simple and creative ideas for nature walk activities from Run Wild My Child the next time that you're out on a winter wander! >> https://runwildmychild.com/winter-nature-walk-ideas-for-ki/

Save the Date! On February 8, the Pine Project's Lead Instructor & Volunteer Coordinator, Lee Earl will be a Guest Mentor on ChrisOutdoor's #FREE Nature Mentoring Series, Living with the Seasons! Join Lee for a fascinating exploration of winter naturalist skills and a glimpse into the lives of birds, plants, trees and mammals in the winter months. Mixing stories, observations, teachings and activities, the Living with the Seasons series is a wonderful opportunity to deepen your connection with nature. Find out more about the program and the full schedule of guest mentors here >> https://bit.ly/2MS7V4t

In seasons of diminishing growth, it is sometimes hard to remember that life processes continue on. Last month at Pine's Forest School, children spent some time learning about the incredible decomposers that break down organic material and recycle it back into other living matter. This beautiful process ensures that living things remain living, just taking on various forms like shapeshifters. Children discussed how mushrooms were like the sharks of the forest, seeking wounded... trees in order to digest them. They recognized the importance of mushrooms in the forest ecosystem, as the recycler of dead and dying trees, which ultimately breathes opportunities for new life to grow. It may not be peak mushroom season, but many fungi (especially shelf fungi) can still be found. Have you been able to identify any mushrooms on your winter walks?

We’re excited to announce the return of our Adult Skills Nights - this time, online! Join us next Thursday, January 28th for a night of Storytelling. Want to tell great stories? Storytelling is an ancient and powerful skill rarely focused on in the modern world. Join us for a workshop on storytelling and a conversation on the historic significance of stories. Make sure to bring something to write with, something to write on, as well as a story you would feel comfortable telling a stranger. Participants must RSVP by emailing [email protected]

Over the past 2 months, we’ve shared a journey through a day in the life of a Pine participant. While our time together is coming to a close, just like programs come to an end each year, the impact of Pine can be felt for a lifetime. This depth of connection with nature, and its benefits for individuals and communities, has never been more important. December 31st is right around the corner - Will you help us reach our goal of raising $55,000 for our bursary fund in 2021? DONATE NOW: https://www.canadahelps.org/en/dn/53400

Did you miss Monday’s Living With the Seasons call? It’s not too late to join! There are incredible guest mentors scheduled weekly over the next 5 weeks. Mixing stories, observations, teachings and activities, this #FREE web series hosted by ChrisOutdoors is a wonderful opportunity to deepen your connection with nature. Click the link to register! https://bit.ly/lwtss2020

A few weeks ago, we asked you to share your favourite songs that we sing at Pine. Today, we’re excited to share one with you, called Breathe Me In by Makenzie Myers. Thanks to Maili for sharing! https://youtu.be/91RJ-Ifw3m4 As we enter the final two weeks of our year-end campaign, we hope you’ll consider donating to our Bursary Fund. Our goal is to raise $55,000 by December 31st. Your generosity will make it possible for all families to experience the magic of Pine, regardless of their financial situation. DONATE NOW: https://www.canadahelps.org/en/dn/53400

As we welcome a new year, we're also saying goodbye to our Social Media Coordinator, Nikki Satira, who is moving on to new adventures. We want to take a moment to share gratitude for all she's done for the Pine community over the years. But how do you say goodbye to a creature such as Nikki?! The hundreds of kids, parents, volunteers and staff that have had their paths cross with hers through the Pine Project already understand their good fortune. It is fair to say that we wo...uldn’t know Pine the same way if it weren’t for Nikki Satira and the tracks she leaves behind in us. Like a sweet songbird, Nikki’s voice has lifted us into unity and appreciation for Life’s beauty, while also giving us permission to find our own voices. Her wild plant enthusiasm might have been shared with you -- squishing bubbles out of soapwort flowers or trading herbal tinctures for hand carved tools. Nikki’s a plant romancer and in her presence, many a human has fallen deeply in love with these quietest of beings. With a sparkle in her eye and a forest in her hair Nikki brings magic to life, conjuring the possibility that there might not be any difference between the two. But don’t be fooled! Though Nikki sometimes appears like an enchanted forest fairy, she’s not all gossamer and floral aromas. She’s a friction fire aficionado and one of her main motivations for learning was to stick it to the gendered stereotypes that assume maleness as connected to certain survival skills. Nikki mentored many girls and women to not be weighed down by such constructions -- encouraging them to follow their curiosities and inspirations fearlessly. She’s a scat connoisseur, a collector of precious roadkill, a fierce mentor and even fiercer advocate. Yes, Nikki Satira kicks butt! We’ll miss everything she brings and are delighted that a whole new community of people will get to benefit from her leadership. We wish her the best of luck in her permanent new role at Earth Path as Executive Director!

Practicing a sit spot - sitting quietly alone in nature - offers us an opportunity to slow down and reflect. After a sit spot last year, participants shared some things that they were proud of that season - their projects (bows, spoons, bone knives), the garments they dyed, their new understanding of animal tracking & bird anatomy, doing homework, and knowing how to make "better" fires. What’s something you’re proud of accomplishing this year? Share your achievements with us ...in the comments! If you value the opportunity for kids to have quiet moments in nature, consider donating to our Bursary Fund. Our goal is to raise $55,000 by December 31st. Your generosity will make it possible for all families to experience the magic of Pine, regardless of their financial situation. CLICK HERE TO DONATE > https://www.canadahelps.org/en/dn/53400

Giving Tuesday may be over, but there’s still time to give and connect children with nature! By giving $100 today, you could send 5 children to a magical day in the woods. DONATE NOW: https://www.canadahelps.org/en/dn/53400

This #GivingTuesday, help children connect with nature by supporting Pine’s Bursary Fund! TODAY ONLY: Your donation of $20 or more will be topped up with an extra $2 from CanadaHelps! DONATE NOW: https://www.canadahelps.org/en/dn/53400

This #GivingTuesday, connect children with nature! We believe all children should have the opportunity to benefit from transformative nature connection experiences, regardless of their family’s financial situation. Generous community members like YOU make that possible by supporting our Bursary Fund. Our goal is to raise $55,000 by December 31st for our bursary fund in 2021. By giving $100 today, you could send 5 children to a magical day in the woods. DONATE NOW and help make Pine programs possible for everyone. https://www.canadahelps.org/en/dn/53400