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Just Our Nature - news, updates and insights
What is causing low porcupine abundance?
By Peyton Schmitt on May 13, 2023
Blog: North Country WildAfter spending the semester conducting research, I finally have a story to tell about the current state of porcupines on the St. Lawrence University Kip tract. I used game cameras to take pictures of wildlife and recorded what species I saw. I had over 20 different species captured on camera, but the one species I did not have a single picture of was the porcupine. There is a concern that…
How to count porcupines
By Peyton Schmitt on May 13, 2023
Blog: North Country WildIn kindergarten, we learn how to count to 10. We continue counting to 10 because it’s easy for us, whether it be counting birds, cars, or fingers. We might therefore assume that counting wildlife would be just as easy, but that isn’t the case. Wildlife are generally well hidden and tend to be active when humans are not. Seeing wildlife today has gotten harder because of the decrease in…
Lampson Falls Letterboxing - Women in Science Series
By Kayla Edmunds on May 9, 2023
Blog: Just Our NatureTry your hand at letterboxing! Whether this is your first time or you're a letterboxing aficionado, make your way over to Lampson Falls between now and the end of June to find our five-box series. Read on to learn more about what letterboxing is and the supplies you need, and find the Lampson Falls Letterbox clues below!
First of all, what is letterboxing?
Letterboxing is a treasure hunt that…
Adventure Tips for You and Your Pup!
By Ilana Mirel on May 5, 2023
Blog: Just Our NatureHiking isn't just for people. Many people are bringing their trusty companions with them on their adventures in the North Country environment and beyond. Hiking with your dogs is one of the most fun activities and a great way to get outdoors and bond with your beloved pets. We all want what is best for our dogs, which includes hiking safety! Knowing some plant identification could save your dog's…
The Basics of Wildlife Photography
By Julia Hahne on May 5, 2023
Blog: Just Our NatureSeeing animals in the wilderness can be a breathtaking experience, but it’s not always easy to convey this beauty in the form of a photo. Dealing with fast moving animals or the “interesting” weather of the North Country can make it hard to snap a good picture. Luckily, practice, plus a few tips, are all it takes, and the North Country is an excellent place to practice. Whether you hail from the…
Where are the porcupines on the St. Lawrence University Kip Tract?
By Peyton Schmitt on May 1, 2023
Blog: North Country WildGrowing up I enjoyed outdoor recreational activities from hunting and fishing to hiking and camping. I was introduced to these activities by listening to stories my father and grandfather told me about all the wildlife they experienced. As I walk through the same forests, it feels underwhelming compared to those stories. The question I have now is, what happened?
As our global population grows,…
Past Project Managers: Where Are They Now?
By Kayla Edmunds on April 27, 2023
Blog: Just Our NatureSince the beginning of Nature Up North ten years ago, four amazing, unique, talented Project Managers have graced the office of Bewkes 122, the Kip Trail and Wachtmeister Field Station, and many more local outdoor spaces. To celebrate our ten year anniversary that their years of work helped us get to, we reached out to see where they are now and what they have been up to since leaving Nature Up…
7th Annual Earth Day 7K Recap!
By Kayla Edmunds on April 24, 2023
Blog: Just Our NatureThe registration list has been recycled and the course flags have been hung up for now, but we're still thinking about how much fun we had with all participants of our 7th Annual Earrth Day 7k this past Saturday, April 22nd! The course followed the St. Lawrence University Kip and Saddlemire trails, starting and finishing at the Wachtmeister Field Station and covering 7 kilometers (4.4 mi) of…
Happy Earth Day Activites
By Aurora Hager on April 19, 2023
Blog: Just Our NatureThis year April 22nd marks the 53rd anniversary of an important holiday, Earth Day! How did Earth Day start, and why is it important? The idea of having laws, policy, or rules to protect natural resources such as trees, fresh water, and clean soil started in the 1960s. At that time there were no environmental policies in place to protect the natural environment, and it was normal for humans and…
Celebrate 10 Years of Nature Up North With Us!
By Kayla Edmunds on April 5, 2023
Blog: Just Our NatureNature Up North is celebrating it's 10th Anniversary this year!
2013 marked the launch of natureupnorth.org (this very website) and the first year we hired a cohort of summer interns and hosted free events for the community all summer long! In the 10 years since that first summer we've hosted over 175 public events, hired and trained 95 St. Lawrence University students, launched 3 citizen science…