The Naturalist’s Blog

Week of May 22, 2022 – May 28, 2022 by David DuBois, Land Steward There are countless stories of how human activity has forever damaged an ecological resource. From covering a wild place with an asphalt parking lot to building a housing development in formerly pristine forest, the examples feel all too familiar. This result is not an inevitable outcome of human actions however. With deliberate action and careful consideration [...]

Week of May 15, 2022 – May 21, 2022 by Anna Stunkel, Environmental Educator Over the past week, it has felt almost like winter has sprung forward right into summer! This has accelerated the arrival of many spring birds, and it’s been a joy to observe new arrivals every day here at Baltimore Woods. Along the brushy banks of the pond, Yellow Warblers, Hooded Warblers, Common Yellowthroats, and Blue-winged Warblers [...]

Week of May 8, 2022 – May 14, 2022 by Bridget Jones, Environmental Educator April 30th marked the end of the 2021-22 season of Project Feederwatch! Birdwatching, like many other activities in nature, can help us slow down and connect with the world around us. Just as birdwatching can bring healing benefits to humans, through citizen science projects like Project Feederwatch, we can return the favor by contributing to bird [...]

Week of May 1, 2022 – May 7, 2022 by Tom Meier, Program Manager Listening to George Winston’s piano solo album Winter Into Spring as the snow and cold give way to the awakening of wildflowers and trees is one of my required personal spring rituals. He reflects the emotions of the changing season so well, from the quiet anticipation to the roaring wind and reflective rainy days, and finally the joy [...]

Week of April 24, 2022 – April 30, 2022 by Bridget Jones, Environmental Educator At this time of year, mud seems to be everywhere you turn. In the woods, ground that has been reliably stable and frozen for months squelches and shifts underfoot, sometimes claiming boots in the process. Although it can be inconvenient, mud season comes with many joys as well, like the flowers that emerge from the softer [...]

Week of April 10, 2022 – April 16, 2022 by Melissa Kirby, Environmental Educator Rainy days and above freezing nights have been in the weather forecast. This is a time of year where I can’t help but feel the excitement and anticipation of salamander migrations. The yellow spotted salamander is one I look most forward to seeing. In the spring, yellow spotted salamanders will emerge from their underground wintering sites [...]

Week of April 10, 2022 – April 16, 2022 by Meghan Morral, Environmental Educator As we get further into Spring, April has certainly begun to live up to its reputation of rainstorms and rapidly changing weather patterns. Some days even seem like all four seasons make an appearance within a 24-hour time span. If one thing is certain, it’s that Spring is an unpredictable time of year! But that doesn’t [...]

Week of April 3, 2022 – April 9, 2022 by Whitney Lash-Marshall, Executive Director Just when we seem to think that spring is finally here to stay, we see those snowflakes appear on the weather forecast and falling from the sky. We’re used to the back and forth of conditions this time of year, but also know that some of the best signs of spring are yet to come. Here [...]

Week of March 27, 2022 – April 2, 2022 by Anna Stunkel, Environmental Educator Signs of spring are slowly and subtly making an appearance here at Baltimore Woods, and this reawakening is one of my very favorite times of year. Along with opening buds, flowing sap, and migrating birds, the return of insects and other invertebrates is a special part of early spring. During recent warm days, I’ve enjoyed slowing [...]