Momentum of Reawakening
In March, the "Power of the Pause" transitions into the "Momentum of Reawakening." As the Northern Hemisphere approaches the Spring (Vernal) Equinox around March 20th or 21st, nature and humans both experience a biological shift from conservation to action.
The Reawakening of Nature
In the natural world, March is a month of threshold-crossing where subtle internal changes become visible external growth.
Breaking Dormancy: Plants rely on photoperiod (day length) and temperature to trigger the release of dormancy. Woody plants begin "bud break," and seeds that required winter's "cold stratification" to weaken their shells finally germinate.
Emergence & Migration: Hibernating animals like bears, frogs, and insects emerge from winter retreats. Migratory birds return, filling the air with the "Dawn Chorus" as they stake out breeding territories.
Hydrological Stirring: Rising temperatures melt snowpacks, filling vernal pools—temporary ponds that become essential breeding grounds for amphibians like spring peepers and wood frogs.
In Michigan, March is the month of eco-dormancy, where plants have completed their required "chilling hours" and are simply waiting for environmental temperatures to rise above 42°F to begin chemical growth. This transition is often non-linear, with warm spells triggering early "bud break" followed by sudden freezes that threaten delicate new tissue.
1. Flora: The First Signs of Green
Fruit Trees: Cherries (sweet and tart), apricots, and plums are typically the first to show activity. You will see a visible brightening of new growth as buds swell and become "fatter" or "blunter".
Spring Ephemerals: In Southern Michigan, Bloodroot can pop through the snow as early as late March. Other early arrivals include Hepatica and Spring Beauty.
Agricultural Rhythms: Winter annual weeds like purple deadnettle and chickweed break dormancy by late March, while winter wheat begins "greening up" once soil temperatures hit 48°F.
Garden Starters: This is the month for frost-seeding legumes like clover, using the natural freeze-thaw cycle to pull seeds into the topsoil
2. Fauna: The Mass Emergence
"The Big Night": This event occurs on the first warm, rainy night (usually above 40°F) in late March or early April. Thousands of spotted salamanders, blue-spotted salamanders, and wood frogs migrate from underground burrows to vernal pools to breed.
Avian Arrivals: The return of Red-winged Blackbirds, Tree Swallows, and Turkey Vultures serves as a reliable biological marker that the winter pause has ended.
Mammalian Stirring: Hibernators like woodchucks and skunks (often detectable by scent) become active. Michigan DNR recommends removing bird feeders by late March to prevent attracting hungry black bears emerging from their dens.
3. Hydrological Stirring: The Subsurface Reawakening
Before the first green leaf appears, there is a massive, invisible movement of water. In March, snowmelts and spring rain don't just sit on the surface; they "stir" the landscape.
The Biological Mirror: Water carries oxygen and nutrients deep into the soil, waking up roots and microbial life.
Human Parallel: This mirrors our own "internal stirring “the restless energy or "spring fever" we feel before we actually start a new project. It’s the stage where our ideas and energy begin to circulate again after the stagnation of winter.
4. Vernal Pools: The "Pop-Up" Ecosystems
Vernal pools (from the Latin ver, meaning spring) are temporary wetlands that fill with rain and snowmelt in depressions on the forest floor. They are unique because they dry up by summer, creating a "fish-free" sanctuary for vulnerable species.
The "Big Night" Migration : As we discussed earlier on the first warm, rainy night in March thousands of wood frogs and spotted salamanders emerge from subterranean dormancy to migrate to these pools to breed.
Fleeting Opportunity: Because the pools are ephemeral, these creatures must hatch, grow, and transform into land-dwellers before the water vanishes.
The Human Parallel: These pools represent "windows of opportunity." Just as the salamander must move while the water lasts, spring is often a time of high-intensity creative or professional output that requires us to strike while the "energy" is high
To get involved with Berrien County Vernal Pool Patrol please visit the following link https://vernal-pool-patrol-mnfi.hub.arcgis.com/pages/program-coordinators
The Reawakening of Humans
Just as trees add new wood, humans undergo a neurobiological recalibration as light levels increase.
Hormonal Shifts: Increased sunlight triggers the brain to produce more serotonin, a neurotransmitter that enhances mood, focus, and energy. Simultaneously, the production of melatonin (the sleep hormone) decreases, which can lead to feeling more alert—or, conversely, "wired" at night.
Circadian Realignment: The body’s internal clock must recalibrate to longer days. While this eventually improves sleep quality, the transition can initially cause "spring fatigue" as the body adapts to new light patterns and temperature shifts.
Cognitive & Social Burst: With more daylight, cognitive functions like memory and problem-solving often peak. There is a natural psychological push toward "spring cleaning"—not just of homes, but of mental habits—to make space for new goals and social connections.
Mindfulness in March shifts from the quiet introspection of winter to active, sensory engagement with a world in flux.
1. The "5-Senses" Spring Awakening
This grounding technique helps you transition from internal dormancy to external awareness by systematically engaging your environment.
See: Identify 5 signs of life that weren't there last week (e.g., bud break, a specific bird, or patches of green).
Touch: Identify 4 textures—feel the rough bark of a tree, the dampness of dew on grass, or the cool, gritty texture of spring soil.
Hear: Notice 3 distinct sounds, such as the "Dawn Chorus" of returning birds or the trickle of melting snow.
Smell: Find 2 early spring aromas, the sharp scent of wet earth (petrichor) or the first subtle blooms.
Taste: Focus on 1 seasonal flavor, such as a crisp spring radish or a cup of herbal tea
2. Spring Walking Meditation
Moving meditation mirrors the physical reawakening of nature.
Grounding: Walk barefoot on dewy grass (earthing) to physically connect with the earth's charge, which can help regulate mood and reduce inflammation.
Pacing: Walk slowly and deliberately. Synchronize your breath with your steps—inhale for four steps, exhale for six—to calm the nervous system.
Arrival: With each step, imagine you are "arriving" in spring. Focus on the sensation of your feet making contact with the ground and the support the earth provides
3. Mindful Gardening (Horticultural Therapy)
Working with soil has a direct biological impact; soil contains microbes (M. vaccae) that can stimulate serotonin production, acting as a natural antidepressant.
Sensory Planting: Focus entirely on the feel of the dirt against your skin and the rhythmic nature of weeding or watering.
Planting Intentions: As you sow physical seeds, mentally "plant" an intention for your own growth this season.
4. Solar Recalibration
Use the increasing daylight to reset your circadian rhythm.
Dawn Gazing: Watch the sunrise to signal to your brain that the "pause" is over. This helps regulate melatonin and cortisol levels for better energy throughout the day.
Shadow Watching: Sit and watch a shadow move across your path. This exercise helps you step out of "clock time" and align with "nature’s time," observing the slow, steady pace of seasonal change
As the frost recedes, nature moves from dormancy to a sudden, kinetic surge. This "reawakening" isn’t just a change in scenery; it’s a biological momentum where light triggers a cascading release of energy.
The human parallel mirrors this shift we transition from the "winter" of reflection and conservation into a period of outward action and renewed creative drive
Just as a seed must exert immense pressure to break its casing, human "reawakening" often requires a burst of initial effort to overcome the inertia of previous habits.
If you are looking to learn new things this spring then how about checking out Berrien County Conservation District’s workshops. They will truly motivate you to play in your garden and get back to Nature. You can find these at www.berriencd.org/events
