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Smoky Mountain Nature Lady Newsletter Vol 1, Issue 1
March in the Smoky Mountains
Cindy Johnson
March 03, 2025
⏩FAST FACT
Lichens are living organisms that form a partnership between a fungus and an algae, and they grow on rocks, trees, and soil in green, gray, or yellow. You can tell a lichen from a fungus or mushroom because lichens usually appear flat or crusty, while mushrooms often have a distinct cap (and sometimes a stem).
💚MARCH - It’s all about GREEN!
March is the perfect time to celebrate GREEN—the color of renewal, growth, and fresh starts. It’s the first sign that winter’s grip is loosening as tiny buds push through the earth, moss carpets the forest floor, and trees begin dressing in new leaves.
GREEN is more than just a color—it’s a sign of life, of nature waking up and inviting us to slow down, breathe deep, and take it all in. So this month, let’s appreciate the shades of GREEN around us, from the soft glow of morning light through fresh foliage to the deep, grounding greens of towering pines.
Nature’s favorite color refreshes the landscape and the soul, so get outside and soak it up!
📝WORD UP
Smaragdine (sma rag’ din) describes deep, vibrant greens found in nature. It can describe the lush canopy of a forest, the fresh leaves of spring, moss clinging to rocks, or even the bright GREEN skin of some lizards.
🏔️NATURE CHALLENGE
Jelly Lichen (after being spritzed with water) on a tree at Tremont, Great Smoky Mountains National Park
🌈Take a Color Walk
Spring is creeping in, and what better way to welcome it than with a color walk? This simple but powerful practice invites you to focus on a single color as you explore nature.
Since March is all about GREEN, challenge yourself to notice every shade—emerald moss, bright new leaves and pine needles, lichen on rocks and trees, and even the soft GREEN reflections in a stream. You’ll be amazed at how much more you see when you’re truly paying attention.
A color walk isn’t just a fun twist on a regular stroll—it has real benefits:
Mindfulness Boost – It keeps you present, helping you slow down and appreciate the details.
Stress Relief – Nature already lowers stress, and focusing on a color makes it even more meditative.
Creativity Spark – Writers, artists, and photographers use color walks to see the world in a fresh way.
While GREEN is the star this month, try switching it up! Choose yellow when daffodils or sunflowers bloom, orange in the fall, and even white in winter’s frosty landscape. If you have kids or grandkids, make it a game: who can find the most shades of red?
So step outside, breathe in the fresh air, and let color lead your adventure. This month, celebrate GREEN—but don’t stop there. There’s a whole rainbow waiting for you!
🍃CONSERVATION STATION
Planting wildflowers means less mowing and more pollinating! Bees, butterflies, insects, spiders, and hummingbirds love them! ❤️
Planting native trees or plants is a fantastic and simple conservation task for this GREEN month. Native greenery supports local wildlife, improves air quality, and helps prevent soil erosion. It also requires less water and maintenance than non-native species.
Whether adding a pollinator-friendly shrub to your yard, planting a tree in your community, or scattering native wildflower seeds, every little bit helps restore and protect natural ecosystems. Bonus: You’ll be able to enjoy even more beautiful shades of GREEN in your own backyard! 🌿
🎥VIDEO CONNECTIONS
💬QUOTE-A-PALOOZA
Unless someone like YOU cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not.
-Dr. Seuss, The Lorax
❌PHOTO FAIL
📣IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
Take it outside,
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