What's Your Nature?

Become a Nature Up North explorer to share your encounters with wild things and wild places in New York's North Country. Post your wildlife sightings, landscape shots, photos from your outings, and even your organization's events!

Wehle State Park

I've been to Wehle about three times in as many months. It is a very nice place for an easy day hike. There are dog statues everywhere because of the famous Elhew Kennels.The snakefoot trail goes along the water. There are some good views and it is very dog friendly. I would definitely recommend it to anyone in the area looking for a place to go hiking.

Black and Yellow Garden Spider

Spotted this black and yellow garden spider (Argiope aurantia) hanging out in the shrubs behind Johnson Hall of Science today. I was especially impressed by the size of this individual - roughly that of a half dollar coin - and some quick research informed me that females range from 0.75 mm to 1 in., which is up to 4x larger than males! If this spider is in fact a female, she has likely already produced an egg sack, and will die once the weather turns cold. The eggs will overwinter, and up to 1,000 spiderlings will hatch in the spring. Impressive!

Fall Trails Series - Community Ash Tree Survey on the Kip Trail

Event date and time
October 20, 2017 - 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Event description

 

The Canton Recreation Department is partnering with Nature Up North to provide a Canton Trails Series this fall. Join us each Friday afternoon in October as we feature one of Canton’s beautiful trails! Each Trails Series event will begin with a guided activity (30-45minutes) after which you will be invited to continue to explore the trail on your own. This family friendly program is open to all, and children must be accompanied by a responsible adult.

Fall Trails Series - Invasive Plant Pull, SUNY Canton Trail

Event date and time
October 13, 2017 - 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Event description

 

The Canton Recreation Department is partnering with Nature Up North to provide a Canton Trails Series this fall. Join us each Friday afternoon in October as we feature one of Canton’s beautiful trails! Each Trails Series event will begin with a guided activity (30-45minutes) after which you will be invited to continue to explore the trail on your own. This family friendly program is open to all, and children must be accompanied by a responsible adult.

Fall Trails Series - Foliage Walk on the Saddlemire Trail

Event date and time
October 6, 2017 - 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Event description

 

The Canton Recreation Department is partnering with Nature Up North to provide a Canton Trails Series this fall. Join us each Friday afternoon in October as we feature one of Canton’s beautiful trails! Each Trails Series event will begin with a guided activity (30-45minutes) after which you will be invited to continue to explore the trail on your own. This family friendly program is open to all, and children must be accompanied by a responsible adult. 

Northern Oysters

Carnivorous oysters are lurking about in the North Country, and residents who venture into the woods are advised to carry butter and a skillet at all times. Oyster mushrooms, Pleurotus ostreatus, native wood-decaying fungi often found on dead and dying hardwoods, are delectable when sautéed in butter. Maybe hikers should carry a few cloves of garlic and a press as well. It’s good to be prepared.

Oyster Mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus) Photo: Flickr Creative Commons, Marshal Hedin

Woods Walk with Joel

Event date and time
September 27, 2017 - 10:00 AM to November 29, 2017 - 11:30 AM
Event description

Join Joel every Wednesday starting September 27 from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. for a guided hike on our trails. Enjoy walking in the woods and learning about the names, habits, and habitats of the plants and animals found in Robert Moses State Park.

Dress for the weather!

Nicandri Nature Center is funded by the New York Power Authority.