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!
Just Our Nature Posts
Northern Oysters
By Paul J. Hetzler on
Blog: Just Our NatureCarnivorous 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.…
An Introduction to Earth’s History as told by the North Country Landscape
By Maya Williams on
Blog: Just Our NatureHave 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…
Nature Up North Calendar Photo Contest
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…
When the Sky is On Fire
By Maya Williams on
Blog: Just Our NatureThe 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…
It's Better When It's Wetter: Four Reasons to Get Out in the Rain
By Molly McMasters on
Blog: Just Our NatureIt 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…
No Hitchhikers
By Paul J. Hetzler on
Blog: Just Our NatureThese 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…
Woodland Fairies Visit the North Country
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,…
An In-Tents Infestation
By Paul J. Hetzler on
Blog: Just Our NatureUpdate: Tent-caterpillar outbreaks occurred in our region in June 2017, 2018 and again in 2019 with increasing severity. This article was originally published in 2017.
Given the cool rainy weather of late, one wouldn’t think tenting would be popular. But tents are everywhere this spring. They do not seem to respect sanctioned camping areas in NYS forests, and many have even invaded posted…
2017 Earth Day 7K Recap
By Emlyn Crocker on
Blog: Just Our NatureSpirits were racing and spring was in the air last Saturday April 15th as excited runners and walkers hit the SLU trails at the second annual Nature Up North - St. Lawrence Land Trust Earth Day 7K in Canton. Despite a forcast for rain, the 71 participants enjoyed beautiful spring weather, with high clouds and a bright sun shining down on the wooded trails. The course followed the St. Lawrence…
Springtime Vernal Pools
By Amanda Brooks on
Blog: Just Our NatureApril showers bring May flowers, but they also bring something else to the North Country: vernal pools. Vernal pools are small wetlands that temporarily form in spring and dry up by late summer. They form in woodlands and backyards in small depressions in the ground and are ecologically important for a variety of reasons.
In early spring, amphibians such as wood frogs, spring peepers, and…
