Engaging Our Children in Nature
Many parents express wanting to get their children outside more, but aren't sure how to do it. University of Arizona journalism student, writer, and mother Nicci Ashlee Brown offers some pro tips on how to connect future generations to the natural world.
By Nicci Ashlee Brown, January 14, 2026 // Western National Parks
Sir David Attenborough once said: "If children don't grow up knowing about nature, they won't understand it. And if they don't understand it, they won't protect it.” If our children don’t protect nature, nature will not be there to protect them. In an expanding digital world, how do we engage our children with nature?
“LOOK GOBBY BITS!” screams my son to his sister and me. He is jumping up and down with his blacklight flashlight shining it up at the velvet mesquite tree. Under the blacklight, the sap from the velvet mesquite tree glows green, very similar to The Amazing Spidey and Friends villain Gobby’s green goo.
“Spidey, come in Spidey!” my son yells into his wrist. “We found Gobby’s bits here on the tree!” The clear, sometimes amber, crystalized sap that seeps from the velvet mesquite tree is an O’odham sweet treat that can be picked from the bark. This crystalized sap is used to sweeten foods and teas in the Tohono O’odham communities.
Caution, if you live in a community with velvet mesquite trees, those are likely sprayed with pesticides and should not be eaten out of an abundance of caution.
Velvet Mesquite Sap seeping from the removed limbs on the tree taken in Southern Tucson, Ariz. on September 16th, 2025 by Nicci Brown.
"Ghostie, come in, Ghost Spider, do you copy?” my daughter asks into her wrist while pointing the blacklight flashlight at the tree. She illuminates several clumps of sap that glow green under the light. “Ghostie, Gobby is here in the neighborhood!” my daughter yells, running up the sidewalk to the next tree, inspecting it for more Gobby bits.
Velvet mesquite trees are indigenous to the Sonoran Desert creating generous shade for wildlife. These trees are the perfect locations for bees, birds and others to build nests in. The velvet mesquite produces a bean pod that plays a pivotal role for nourishment for many species, especially during monsoon season. The O’odham mill the bean into flour to make cakes that are highly nutrient dense.
My son bends over, picks up a bean pod and shakes it —chu-chu-chu— giggling in delight at the sound it makes. “Mommy, can we make a music maker at home?” he asks with excitement. He throws the bean pod on the ground and stomps on it to open the pod. The beans roll out on the sidewalk under his feet, and he dips down to pick them up, pudgy fingers grasp the beans, closing them in a fist and shaking it. “Mommy, will you put these in your purse?” my son asks me, holding his fist out.
As we continue to walk, the children crouch close to the ground to continue to collect the hard, brown beans. After our adventure, I take a toilet or paper towel roll, cut two paper circles that will cover the top and bottom, using some tape and paper I cover one side. Then I have the kids, add beans that they have collected. Once the desired number of beans has been added, I cover the final opening with the last circle of paper and tape it closed. Then I hand it over for a loud and rambunctious musical party with the kiddos.
Velvet Mesquite tree on the side of the road taken in Southern Tucson, Ariz. on September 16th, 2025 by Nicci Brown.
The echo of the beans clacking together pairs well with the giggles that inevitably tumble from the kid’s’ lips. Where it's searching for beans or sharing the excitement of fresh discoveries, we can foster our children's relationships with the Sonoran Desert and the world around them with just a few simple observations. As parents, whenever we connect our children to nature, there are limitless adventures on the horizon.
By Nicci Ashlee Brown
