New Year's nature resolutions

I don't do New Year's resolutions. I do themes for the entire year. Trust me, the feeling of not breaking a resolution two days into the year is worth the extra thought needed to come up with a concept you'll be happy with all year long. I had 'home sweet home' as a theme one year, where I focused on doing little renovations, clearing clutter, holidaying close to home. That was a great year. The 'no fear, no regrets' year? That was not. There were indeed many, many regrets.

But for 2023 I'm looking at going all natural. Making more of my own food, working with natural fibres, being out in the great outdoors. You get the idea. If you need a push to make time to get the salt water on your skin, or the dirt on your boots, can I suggest setting out some goals for next year?

One of my goals for 2023 is to get out and start snorkelling again. This year we've seen lots of amazing photos from local divers and snorkellers and I want to be part of the action. Add in seeing the Grey Nurse Sharks at Bushranger's Bay (that we featured in our article here) and I'll be a happy gal.

Second on my list is to get down to the newly named Beowa National Park, formerly Ben Boyd National Park, near Eden. I really want to see The Pinnacles, which are white sand cliffs topped with a red gravel clay, for myself.

And my third goal is to see one of the Illawarra's best-kept secrets, the endangered Greater Glider. These flying teddy bears exclusively eat eucalyptus leaves and need hollows for homes. There are several populations through the region and down into the Shoalhaven. I'd love to spot one in the wild and so that's on my must-see list for 2023.

I'd love to hear what your New Year's nature resolutions are. Get in touch or tag @theillawarraflame on socials.