Notes from a Naturalist
January 14, 2020
What the Size of a Snowflake can tell you
By Sam Nunes, Environmental Educator - January 2020
"In winter we can still find beautiful moments taking place around us. One of these beautiful moments is a snowflake! Its common knowledge that each snowflake is unique, but a single snowflake can tell us a lot about what is happening in the atmosphere around and above us. Why are some snowflakes smaller than others? Why does snow sometimes fall when it’s above freezing?"
-Read the full article here
December 19, 2019
Don't Feed the Deer
By Sam Nunes, Environmental Educator - December 2019
"You look out your window and see what looks like a lifeless landscape covered in white. But then you notice some white tailed deer wandering through the barren forest. If you have a tendency towards empathy, you may feel as though you would be doing the deer a service by providing them with food to help their survival through these winter months. But here’s why that is a bad idea..."
-Read the full article here
November 08, 2019
Furry Architects
By Sam Nunes, Environmental Educator - November 2019
"In November, the leaves have almost fully fallen and nature seems to have become quiet as it waits for the cold winter snow. Around this time you may notice a peculiar bundle of sticks and leaves revealed in the branches of the trees. It looks like a rather large bird nest, but the animal that created this home does not have wings..."
-Read the full article here
October 15, 2019
The Forest Blues
By Sam Nunes, Environmental Educator - October 2019
"October is full of color! During this time, forests in the northern hemisphere change to vibrant reds, orange, yellows, and browns - all you have to do is to look up. But there is another color in autumn that we have to look down to see..."
-Read the full article here
September 24, 2019
Next Gen Turtles
By Sam Nunes, Environmental Educator - September 2019
"September is in full swing which means we can expect to see turtle hatchlings emerging from their nests and scurrying back to the ponds their parents came from. What species of turtles can I expect to find..."
-Read the full article here