WOW- What is a Naturalist?
What is a naturalist? The dictionary says a naturalist is “A person who specializes in natural history, especially in the study of plants and animals in their natural surroundings. “ Are you a...
View ArticleWOW-Great American Campout
Interested in trying camping in a new location? Check out this website for a list of sites participating in the Great American Campout....
View ArticleWOW-Field guide to the Southern Piedmont
Some smart WOW people found this link to a field guide to plants and animals in the Southern Piedmont. You can use this link to go to the field guide and down load it to your tablet, computer or smart...
View ArticleWOW-Solar Eclipse!
Most people have heard that there will be a total solar eclipse on August 21. The excitement is building. This eclipse will be total in a path that runs from the Pacific northwest all the way to the...
View ArticleWOW-Great American Solar Eclipse!
WOW Thanks: Dr. Kristen Thompson For the WOW Outing, “Great American Solar Eclipse,” August 12 WOW cannot thank Dr. Thompson enough for taking time out of her very busy eclipse schedule and making sure...
View ArticleWOW-Pawpaw!
Recently I went on a nature walk with Reed Patterson in the West Branch Nature Preserve. There was much to see including evidence of the beavers that are reshaping the land there. Because it was late...
View ArticleWOW-Spiders!
Did you know that 2017 is the year of the spider? Well it is. Here’s a link to a great resource with lots of information about spiders for all ages. Hope you enjoy!...
View ArticleWOW- 2018 The Year of the Bird!
2018 Has been declared the Year of the Bird because it is the 100th anniversary of the passing of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act which was an attempt to protect all native birds. In the 19th century...
View ArticleWOW-How do birds stay warm in the winter?
Have you ever thought about how birds stay warm in the winter? During our recent snow here in Davidson I watched birds coming to our feeders all day long. We had a lot more than we see on an average...
View ArticleWOW-Great Backyard Bird Count 2018!
Feb. 16-19 is this year’s annual bird count. People all over the world will be counting the birds they see in fifteen minute intervals, recording what they see and sending in their counts to the Great...
View ArticleWOW-Sweet gum trees!
One of the common trees in our area is the sweet gum or Liquidambar styraciflua. This tree is familiar to most of us as the one that produces the prickly sweet gum balls that fall on the paths and are...
View ArticleWOW-National Wildlife Week!
This week, March 12-16, is the week designated by the National Wildlife Federation as National Wildlife Week. Every year since 1938 the NWF has sponsored National Wildlife Week one week in March....
View ArticleWOW-McDowell Nature Preserve
It’s officially spring now. I thought people might like suggestions about places to visit for time outdoors. We have wonderful parks throughout Mecklenburg County and nearby in other counties as...
View ArticleWOW-Native Bees!
We’ve heard a lot about honey bees and the problem with colony collapse and this is a real concern. Something you might like to know more about is the amazing world of bees that are native to our area....
View ArticleWOW-Dark Sky!
April is a great month for astronomy. This week, April 15 to 21 is Dark Sky week. This celebration of the night sky was started by a high school student who was concerned about the fact that the sky...
View ArticleWOW-World Bee Day!
1st World Bee Day Launches This May Did you know that after more than three years of efforts by the Republic of Slovenia, the United Nations adopted a resolution declaring May 20 as World Bee Day?...
View ArticleWOW-Don’t touch that Fawn!
Have you ever seen a deer fawn? Have you ever seen one alone looking like it is not being cared for by its mother? If you saw a baby deer would you have any idea what to do or what not to do? Here’s...
View ArticleWOW-The Sense of Wonder
“If a child is to keep alive his inborn sense of wonder. . . he needs the companionship of at least one adult who can share it, rediscovering with him the joy, excitement and mystery of the world we...
View ArticleWOW-Beavers!
If you visit the West Branch Nature Preserve one of the things you will notice is evidence of beavers at work. You’ll see the pond made by the beaver dam on the stream that runs through the area and...
View ArticleWOW-Coyotes!
Coyotes are members of the canine or dog family. They are related to wolves, foxes and domestic dogs but they are distinct. Coyotes are primarily carnivores but will eat fruit, vegetables and just...
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