The Naturalist’s Blog

Week of October 26, 2025 – November 1, 2025 by Anna Stunkel, Environmental Educator Have you ever found a spot in nature where you like to sit for a while and observe your surroundings? Maybe you take a rest on a fallen log or rock, sitting still until small flocks of feeding birds approach as if you’re part of the surrounding trees. Or perhaps you stop by the shore of a [...]

Week of October 19, 2025 – October 25, 2025 by Elizabeth Suzedell, Environmental Educator There’s a white tree branch off of the Boundary Trail that I’ve pointed out to many students on field trips for the past few weeks. When I ask them what they think is going on with the branch, they ask, “Is it snow?” I tell them we haven’t had snow yet, and upon closer inspection, they see [...]

Week of October 12, 2025 – October 18, 2025 by Katie McLaughlin, Environmental Educator October is my busiest month of year with field trips, homeschool programs, and general seasonal and spooky activities. Even so, I find myself pondering life as I have been walking through the changing ecosystems. I take this time of year to really be inspired by our landscapes, and allow the natural magic of the season guide what [...]

Week of October 5, 2025 – October 11, 2025 by Kaylen Iorio, Environmental Educator Here at Baltimore Woods caterpillars become stars during the summer and fall. A very common caterpillar to spot is the Hickory Tussock moth caterpillar and students are fascinated to find them. These caterpillars are white and fluffy with black hairs running down their back but be careful if you touch one you might get a little itchy! [...]

Week of September 28, 2025 – October 4, 2025 by Anna Stunkel, Environmental Educator Fall and spring have always been my favorite seasons, in large part because they are alive with color. These are times when big changes happen, and nature widely broadcasts seasonal transitions here in the northeast. In fall, you might notice all the colors of the rainbow! As a nature illustrator, I joke about closely observing colors and [...]

Week of September 21, 2025 – September 27, 2025 by Elizabeth Suzedell, Environmental Educator When you are out in nature, how often do you find something new that you don’t know what it is? Even though I’ve spent a lot of time exploring the trails at Baltimore Woods, I’m always finding new plants, mushrooms, and bugs that I have never seen before. I like to use field guides to help me [...]

Week of September 14, 2025 – September 20, 2025 by Katie McLaughlin, Environmental Educator asked as an Environmental Educator when out on the preserve is “What is this?”, but I almost never respond with the answer. Instead, I ask “What do you think it is?” to help guide them to the answer. Now, what you need to know about me is I am not the best at knowing what something is [...]

Week of September 7, 2025 – September 13, 2025 by Kaylen Iorio, Environmental Educator Shaking off the daze of summer feels like settling down on a cozy Sunday evening; feeling tired from the long days of sunshine and preparing for all that autumn has to bring. That first crisp autumn breeze whispers past with scents of nostalgia, bringing back memories of grade school and jumping into leaf piles with siblings, and [...]

Week of August 31, 2025 – September 6, 2025 by Anna Stunkel, Environmental Educator As summer winds down and transitions into early fall, I’ve been reflecting on memories of one special group of insects– the dragonflies and damselflies, also known as odonates. These creatures have fascinating lives, including some very impressive adaptations. Around local ponds, streams, and open fields, I enjoy pausing to watch them dart quickly back and forth in [...]