What's Your Nature?

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Just Our Nature - news, updates and insights

An Introduction to Earth’s History as told by the North Country Landscape

Layers of shale and limestone at Whitaker Falls. Photo: Helen Eifert
By Maya Williams on
Blog: Just Our Nature
Have you ever thought about what the earth was like millions of years ago? It’s hard to imagine the world before we were born, let alone before the human species existed. But if the history of our planet was represented by a single 24 hour day, the presence of modern humans would only be equivalent to less than 4 seconds. What do you think Earth will look like in another million years? The more…
Extent of Laurentide Ice Sheet over North America. Photo: NPS Natural Resources, Creative Commons Satellite image of Lake Massawepie showing the esker deposit. Map data: Google Hiking along the slope of the esker at Lake Massawepie. Photo: Molly McMasters

Nature Up North made me Nuts About Nature!

Teachers learn to monitor water quality
By Nancy LaFaver on
Blog: In the Schools
I attended the Nature Up North Summer Workshop to find new ways to incorporate nature and to enhance my Nuts About Nature after school program. After two days of information overload and field experience, I was able to map out an entire school year of nature programs and activities!  It was wonderful to not only hear about what Nature Up North is doing but to feel like it could be integrated…

Nature Up North Teaches the Teachers!

Visiting Heritage Park to take Encounter photos
By Susan Dodds on
Blog: In the Schools
Let the adventure begin! Once again the NUN crew delivered on their promise to provide relevant and engaging environmental education activities to our area teachers. This year's group of teachers included some veteran's of the NUN program and a couple of newcomers. Participants were engaged throughout the two day workshop in activities such as an Encounter walk at Heritage park, MOWing the…

Nature Up North Calendar Photo Contest

2017 Calendar Cover
By Emlyn Crocker on
Blog: Just Our Nature
  **contest closed -- winning submissions will be announced by mid October, 2017**   Calling all North Country nature photographers! Got your camera at the ready? Nature Up North is once again hosting our annual calendar contest for nature photos that will be featured in our 2018 wall calendar. At Nature Up North we hope to inspire exploration and appreciation of the…
2017 Nature Up North Calendar Back Cover

When the Sky is On Fire

Sunrise on Alger Island, Fourth Lake captured by Sherrill Barlow
By Maya Williams on
Blog: Just Our Nature
The sun sinks low on the horizon and the sky comes to life in a fiery burst of color. You grab your camera and run outside, in awe of the saturated sky above you. But your dog is thoroughly unimpressed, only interested in the possibility of playtime. It has no idea the sky is on fire. Every animal has a different perception of light and color meaning everything we see is through our own human…
Sunset over the St. Lawrence River, captured by Suzan Mcdermott Many small mammals such as dogs and cats cannot perceive shades of red and green (Photo: Cara Valentine, Edits: Maya Williams)

It's Better When It's Wetter: Four Reasons to Get Out in the Rain

Ripple in Still Water. Photo by Jay Fuhrman.
By Molly McMasters on
Blog: Just Our Nature
It may feel like these dreary days of rain will never end, but don’t fret! Rain brings many hidden gems out of the natural world that we usually don’t see during dryer weather. So, throw on your rain boots, grab an umbrella, and step out to explore our soggy wonderland! 1) Cast a New Light on Canoeing Typically, canoeing is perceived as a sunny day activity. But sometimes, a paddle in the rain…
An angler testing the waters. Photo: Molly McMasters. The rain brought out the slugs! Photo by Molly McMasters. A fantastic coral fungus. Photo by Jacob Malcomb.

No Hitchhikers

Water Chestnut. Courtesy of Michael Figiel of Flickr Creative Commons.
By Paul J. Hetzler on
Blog: Just Our Nature
These days, walking on water is not the big deal it once was. Back a long time ago, it required a miracle, but now all you need is a bad infestation of invasive aquatic plants. Anyone who has viewed a serious case of European watermilfoil, water chestnut, or hydrilla knows that a solid mat of vegetation stretching across a once-open waterway is a barrier to swimming, fishing, and boating. And…
Flowering Hydrilla. Photo: Big Cyprus National Preserve, Flickr Creative Commons. Eurasian Milfoil. Courtesy of Ed Dunens of Flickr Creative Commons.

Woodland Fairies Visit the North Country

Fairy House
By Molly McMasters on
Blog: Just Our Nature
*There's still time to visit the fairies! Our Fairy Friends will now be staying in the North Country until July 7th, 2017. The fairies are coming, the fairies are coming!  Each spring a merry group of fairies migrates through the North Country on their way home for the summer. These aren't just any fairies – these fairies live in the woods, where they spend their days bonding with birds,…
Fairy House Fairy House

Ask A Fairy, Spring 2017

By Thimble & Blossom on
Blog: Ask a Fairy
The wait is finally over! The fairies are so happy that you found their houses, and they said the questions you asked this year were especially thoughtful. Thimble Hickory and Blossom Dewdrop are your fairy experts on North Country nature and fairy culture again for this round of questions. They’re on their way to their northern summer nesting spot, but they already can’t wait to pass through the…

Colton-Pierrepont Earth Week 2017

By Emlyn Crocker on
Blog: In the Schools
It's late spring in the North Country, and the hills are alive with the sounds of birds and bees doing that important job - pollination. Last week Nature Up North joined Colton-Pierreont Central School's Earth Week Celebration, where pollination is the theme of this year's festivities. We challenged 1st-6th grade students to act out the story of pollination through a hands-on relay game, and…