Red clover is native to Europe and Asia but has been naturalized throughout the world. It has many uses. Ranchers value it for its high protein content which makes it a great feed for livestock. Farmers utilize it as a green fertilizer because it has the ability to fix nitrogen in the soil, which increases […]
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The berries of the Elderberry bush are widely known for their medicinal, immune-boosting properties. The small, delicate flowers of this plant are edible as well! Like the berries, the flowers should be processed in some way before consumption. Popular recipes include elderflower tea and elderflower cordial.
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Have you seen either of these two interesting six-legged friends in your area? This butterfly species has mastered both camouflage and mimicry! The spots on the adult’s wings mimic the eyes of a much larger creature and can scare predators away. Their eggs are light green and blend in perfectly with the leaves they are […]
Continue readingNOTICING NATURE | 3 MAY FLOWERS
Multiflora rose is an invasive species from Asia that thrives in our area. It was brought to the United States in the 1860’s as a valuable agricultural product. Farmers would plant the multiflora rose around the perimeter of a cattle field to create a “living fence” that required low maintenance and provided wildlife habitat as […]
Continue readingNOTICING NATURE | 3 TIPS FOR MARCH
The snow is melting and spring is starting to show! Here are three things to find in March in Western North Carolina. The Northern Cardinal is a beautiful species that is easy to spot year-round, as they do not migrate! The male is bright red, and the female is mostly brown with a red beak, […]
Continue readingNOTICING NATURE | 3 EARLY SPRING PLANTS
Be careful when you step outside in early spring. These plants are starting to grow right under your feet! Look around and see what you can find! This plant is not as dangerous as it sounds! The name “Deadnettle” refers to the fact that the leaves look very similar to stinging nettle, but they do […]
Continue readingNOTICING NATURE | 3 MARCH BIRDS
Wait….listen… This is the perfect time of the year to stop & listen to the bird sounds around you. Here are 3 birds to keep an eye out for this March. While the majority of bird species are socially monogamous (have one mate), the red-winged blackbird is highly polygamous (has many mates) and fiercely territorial. […]
Continue readingNOTICING NATURE | 3 WINTER TREES
Identifying trees in the winter without leaves present can be very challenging! You need to use clues from the bark and stems to figure it out. One of the first clues to look for is whether the leaves have an alternate or an opposite arrangement (of course in the winter you are looking at […]
Continue readingNOTICING NATURE | 3 TIPS FOR FEBRUARY
During each month, nature changes, morphs, grows, and evolves all around you. In our Noticing Nature series, we introduce you to 3 things to notice while you and your kids are outside. Here are the three things to notice in nature this February. During the winter, the Wineberry plant looks like a single […]
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