The arrival of cooler nights with some valley fog and heavy dew creates favorable conditions for many creatures that require excessive dampness. Among those forms of life that function best in moisture laden surroundings are the slugs, a collection of invertebrates known for their slimy, unappealing appearance, incredibly slow rate of travel, and ability to wreak havoc in gardens. [Read more…] about Slugs: Slimy, Slow, and Esurient
Nature
Loon Lessons Nature Talk In Old Forge August 2nd
View Arts in Old Forge, NY, will host Dr. James Paruk, who will give a talk on his book Loon Lessons: Uncommon Encounters with the Great Northern Diver (Univ. of Minnesota Press, 2021), on Monday, August 2nd. [Read more…] about Loon Lessons Nature Talk In Old Forge August 2nd
Recent Forest Ranger Missions Statewide
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Forest Rangers respond to search and rescue incidents in the Adirondacks. Working with other state agencies, local emergency response organizations and volunteer search and rescue groups, Forest Rangers locate and extract lost, injured or distressed people.
What follows is a report, prepared by DEC, of recent missions carried out by Forest Rangers. [Read more…] about Recent Forest Ranger Missions Statewide
Help Track Spotted Lanternfly
Spotted lanternfly (SLF) is an invasive pest that feeds on a variety of plants including grapes, hops, and maple trees, posing a severe threat to New York’s forests and agriculture.
SLF has been found in several locations in New York but has not yet spread to much of the state. One potential pathway for the spread of SLF is its preferred host plant, tree-of-heaven (TOH), which is already found in many locations across New York. [Read more…] about Help Track Spotted Lanternfly
ROOST, Stewart’s Launch ‘Go Before You Go’ Campaign
Stewart’s Shops and the Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism (ROOST) are partnering this summer and fall to educate visitors on backcountry preparedness. As part of the Love Your ADK campaign, there will be messages aired at Stewart’s Shops locations about using the restroom before heading out to the trailhead and making sure adequate supplies are packed. [Read more…] about ROOST, Stewart’s Launch ‘Go Before You Go’ Campaign
Metal Heads and Canine Compasses: Dog Navigation
As the title of the animated TV series Scooby-Doo, Where Are You! suggests, getting lost was a frequent premise. From 1969 onward, the cadre of teen gumshoes has spent a lot of their time looking for young Shaggy, who always disappears to smoke a joint (so it’s implied), and then to satisfy his raging munchies afterward. His dog Scooby-Doo of course tags along for the food. I recall one episode where Shaggy attempts to navigate a forest by looking for moss on the north sides of trees. He should’ve just asked Scooby for directions. [Read more…] about Metal Heads and Canine Compasses: Dog Navigation
Buffalo Riverline: A Unique Urban Nature Trail Design Unveiled
The Western New York Land Conservancy and its design partners W Architecture, Hood Design Studio, and Green Shield Ecology presented their final concept designs for The Riverline at a press conference at the Tewksbury Lodge Pavilion in Buffalo last week.
The Riverline is the Conservancy’s proposed urban nature trail and greenway that stretches along an unused railroad corridor from Canalside at the Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad Terminal Terminal in downtown Buffalo to the Buffalo River across from Riverbend and Tesla. [Read more…] about Buffalo Riverline: A Unique Urban Nature Trail Design Unveiled
New York Insects: The Spittlebug
After several days without a significant rain, an observant gardener pulling up clumps of weeds, or a perceptive hiker traveling through a pine forest or a meadow near a stand of conifers may notice a glob of saliva-like fluid attached to a wildflower stalk or the stem of a piece of grass. [Read more…] about New York Insects: The Spittlebug
Watch For and Report Giant Hogweed
Giant hogweed plants are now blooming across many parts of the state, making it a prime time to spot this harmful invasive species. Giant hogweed is a large plant with sap that can cause painful burns and scarring.
Adult giant hogweed plants tend to be 7-14 feet tall with umbrella-shaped clusters of white flowers up to 2.5 feet wide. The stem is green with purple splotches and coarse white hairs, and leaves are large (up to 5 feet across), incised, and deeply lobed. [Read more…] about Watch For and Report Giant Hogweed
Summer Nature Exploration Activities for Kids
Need fun ways to explore nature this summer? New York State Department of Environmental Conservation has you covered. Get started by checking out Conservationist for Kids 50 outdoor activities for all ages and levels that are perfect for the whole family. [Read more…] about Summer Nature Exploration Activities for Kids