Microclimates
Week of February 11, 2024 – February 17, 2024 by Elizabeth Suzedell, Environmental Educator On a 90°F and sunny summer day, would you rather sit on black pavement or green grass? That’s a question I sometimes ask the 4th grade students in their second Nature in the City program all about energy. Many of them know that the reason pavement gets so hot (over 140°F!) is because it’s a dark color which [...]
Changing Seasonal Adventures
Week of February 4, 2024 – February 10, 2024 by Catherine McLaughlin, Environmental Educator It is 40 degrees. In February. In Central New York. This doesn’t feel normal to me as someone who grew up around here, but it seems like muddy winters are becoming more common. How I played outside most of winter is different from what I see today. I would be sledding or digging cave systems in [...]
Stories in the Snow
Week of January 28, 2024 – February 3, 2024 by Anna Stunkel, Environmental Educator A few days ago, I stepped onto the back deck of the nature center and a huge group of juncos took off twittering towards the woods. I felt bad to have startled them while busily cleaning up stuffed animals and small snow shovels from a fun afternoon of Nature’s Little Explorers class. As I headed back [...]
Spectacular Snowflakes
Week of January 21, 2024 – January 27, 2024 by Elizabeth Suzedell, Environmental Educator Have you ever looked up close at a snowflake? When a weak low-pressure system came through the area on Tuesday, Baltimore Woods got a little over an inch of light and fluffy snow, full of spectacular snowflakes. As I was getting out of the car in the morning, I noticed some “perfect” snow crystals falling and [...]
Tea Talk: Cold Weather, Hot Beverage
Week of January 14, 2024 – January 20, 2024 by Catherine McLaughlin, Environmental Educator When I am going outside in winter, I pack myself a hot drink like tea or hot cocoa, especially with how the wind and snow have been lately. This gives me something to look forward to when I am hiking or walking somewhere. It feels like I am being warmed from the inside out when I [...]
Exploring New Spaces
Week of January 7, 2024 – January 13, 2024 by Anna Stunkel, Environmental Educator When I think of my favorite areas of Baltimore Woods, there are so many special places. From the bubbly waters of Boulder Brook to the fragile fens teeming with rare and unusual plants, this preserve is filled with diverse and beautiful spots. Thanks to the variety of places here, visitors can enjoy many different programs and [...]
Resolutions
Week of December 31, 2023 – January 6, 2024 by Catherine McLaughlin, Environmental Educator The final day of the year, at least according to the Gregorian calendar. When many people create resolutions for the new year like being more active or getting quality sleep in. As we close the year we look back on what we did. We see all the things we wanted to change at the forefront and [...]
A Magical Winter Solstice
Week of December 24, 2023 – December 30, 2023 by Elizabeth Suzedell, Environmental Educator It’s officially wintertime! While my first thoughts about that aren’t always pleasant, like the bitter cold, short days, or the (seemingly) lifeless forest, the solstice on Thursday reminded me that there is plenty of magic to be found in nature this season. That night, I had the opportunity to co-lead our annual Winter Solstice Hike, when [...]
Sketching in Winter
Week of December 17, 2023 – December 23, 2023 by Anna Stunkel, Environmental Educator Have you ever noticed something new while adventuring out in nature, but didn’t have a camera with you to capture an image? Perhaps it was a huge flock of migrating birds, a fox galloping across your path, or a beautiful flower that you’ve never seen before. If you carry a pocket sketchpad and a pencil, you [...]