Skip navigation.
Ecovillage and Permaculture Programs | Internships | Jobs | Nature Center | Newsletter | Upcoming Events
Home

Nature Center e-newsletter #8

May 29, 2006

Today marks the first spell of unabashed sun in recent memory. Clouds and rain, sometimes accompanied by chill (and on at least one occasion, hail) have been the norm for most of the last week-and-a-half. Following the 90-degrees-plus Fahrenheit temperatures that preceded those rainy days, and having received a good soaking now, vegetation is growing faster than we can keep up with it, either in the vegetable gardens or along trails. Some new plants have declared themselves, including a plant along the woods loop that resembles Linnaea borealis (twinflower) but lacks shallow teeth along the upper half of the leaf (any ideas, botanical enthusiasts?). Newly blooming plants include, most notably, Aquilegia formosa (red columbine), Sidalcea virgata (rose checker mallow), and Mimulus guttatus (yellow monkeyflower); some other blooms have faded from view. Mother's Day and the day after it brought the beginning of honey bee swarming season here, both at Elijah Bristow State Park (a few miles from here) and on the edge of our own meadow. May 15 also marked the return of the Swainson's Thrush, whose ethereal song is unmistakable. The song of the Lazuli Bunting is now providing a constant soundtrack here again, even on rainy days, and other birds in evidence (and not seen on our previous walk with Rick Ahrens) have included American Goldfinch, Great Blue Heron, Brown Creeper, and Olive-Sided Flycatcher.

Last weekend's Wildflower Festival at the Mt. Pisgah Arboretum provided the opportunity for more botanical explorations (and a couple contributions to their display) as well as networking with others interested in the Nature Center. We've also had an advisory committee meeting to talk about outreach and public programs--stay tuned for developments (and please send your ideas). Several tours, both scheduled and unscheduled, and both guided and unguided, have happened over the past two weeks. It is helpful to hear (both in person and in writing) from people who visit, and who receive the newsletter, about what they appreciate, as this may help us demonstrate support for the Nature Center to potential funders and others (and also helps us feel good). We also appreciate any suggestions for different angles we can take. For example, one Nature Center Member sent us this note yesterday: "Thank you for the lovely walk at Lost Valley, for meeting us and showing us the map. The signs were helpful, kept us pointed towards the trails! Hope to visit you again in the not too distant future." We've also gotten ideas for creative nature study activities from a host of people, and are always open to more. We are hoping to cultivate interest and opportunities for ecological exploration not only with neighbors and Members, but with individuals and groups representing age ranges from young children to seniors. Our advisory committee meeting included discussion of ideas for hosting school groups, weekend walks and workshops, and possibly developing an indoor/outdoor "museum" where archeology and geology displays, "blind boxes," and other learning materials could complement what we now offer through our trail network. Again, your ideas, and suggestions of people or groups we should contact, are welcome.

The most concrete on-the-ground development has been the completion of work on the Woods Loop between the lodge and the dormitories, a 1/6 mile trail which is intended not for Nature Center visitors per se but for program attendees and residents. A species list including 72 native plants that occur along that trail has been created and is available in an outdoor literature holder at the beginning of the trail. For those who are curious what plants we've found there so far, that list is attached as a pdf file. This is only a subset (less than half) of native species we have found on the land as a whole; that list still needs more work before being put into print form.

We expect visits soon from several additional naturalists; and hope to schedule some special programs over the next few months. Meanwhile, our next public Nature Center tours are on Wednesday, June 14, at 1 pm and 4 pm, and Sunday, June 25, at 1:30 pm and 3:30 pm. We hope to see some of you there!

Chris
» printer friendly version