What's Your Nature?
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Just Our Nature - news, updates and insights
The Color of Dry
![A dry summer could mean views like this will be muted this fall. Photo: Jeanna Matthews.](/sites/default/files/styles/square_encounter_large/public/jeanna_matthews.jpg?itok=FQekHB7A)
By Paul J. Hetzler on
Blog: Just Our NatureIt turns out that, in terms of fall foliage, the color of too dry is officially known as “Blah.” This would undoubtedly be the least popular color selection if it was included in a jumbo Crayola crayon pack. Basically, it is a jumble of faded hues with a mottled brown patina. This year’s dry summer could mean that “blah” may feature prominently in Mother Nature’s fall hardwood forest palette.
Why…
![Marginal scorching in Canton sugar maple leaves, August 26th, 2016.](/sites/default/files/styles/square_encounter_thumbnail/public/img_0279.jpg?itok=dkqUxeh3)
Wild Eats Episode 5: Wild S'mores
![Black Raspberries for PB and J S'more. Photo: Ken Goulding, Wikimedia Commons. Black raspberries](/sites/default/files/styles/square_encounter_large/public/black_raspberries.jpg?itok=xZJnLwuW)
By India Harvey on
Blog: Farmed and ForagedNo campfire is complete without a few s’mores. S’mores hit the proverbial sweet spot of flavor and entertainment – enjoyed around a crackling campfire with family and friends, the challenge of roasting the perfect marshmallow can keep you occupied for hours. The classic marshmallow, graham cracker, and Hershey bar s’more has existed since at least 1927, when the recipe for “some mores” was…
![Wood sorrel. Stuff the leaves into the marshmallow before roasting to infuse it with lemony flavor. Photo: Leslie Seaton, Wikimedia Commons. Wood sorrel](/sites/default/files/styles/square_encounter_thumbnail/public/wood_sorrel_leslie_seaton.jpg?itok=a-ZZRM33)
![Pineapple weed. Photo: Fabelfroh, Wikimedia Commons. Pineapple weed](/sites/default/files/styles/square_encounter_thumbnail/public/matricaria_discoidea_fabelfroh.jpeg?itok=-qOxHqGm)
The Drought of 2016
![This sugar maple in Canton has not fared well in the summer drought.](/sites/default/files/styles/square_encounter_large/public/2016-08-06_15.20.09.jpg?itok=afCf034q)
By Paul J. Hetzler on
Blog: Just Our NatureThey say that every cloud has a silver lining, but what happens when all you really need is a cloud? The Drought of 2016 (sounds more ominous when I capitalize it like that) has really beat up on gardens and landscapes. You know it’s dry when dandelions begin to shrivel up, which is the case in my yard. The problems wrought by the drought are (mostly) obvious, but is there a silver lining…
![Curling leaves and early color change are signs of drought stress in trees.](/sites/default/files/styles/square_encounter_thumbnail/public/2016-08-05_17.53.31.jpg?itok=wMEjjJBm)
Bringing Community back to the Classroom
![Learning how to take the circumference of a Sugar Maple. maple monitoring](/sites/default/files/styles/square_encounter_large/public/unspecified_3.jpg?itok=zsYwzdua)
By Rebecca Munn on
Blog: In the SchoolsFor the past two days, I have had the amazing experience of absorbing all things Nature Up North through a teacher workshop on the St. Lawrence University campus. As a local science teacher, I spend a lot of my summer...yes enjoying a well deserved break from the daily grind...but also reflecting on the past school year. I am always brainstorming ways to make science content in the classroom more…
![Erika explains the importance of citizen science Erika explains the importance of citizen science](/sites/default/files/styles/square_encounter_thumbnail/public/unspecified-1_3.jpg?itok=r_7S9dtb)
![Posting Encounters at Fall Island Posting Encounters at Fall Island](/sites/default/files/styles/square_encounter_thumbnail/public/unspecified-2_2.jpg?itok=KzAcO7U7)
![Maple identification quiz! Maple identification quiz!](/sites/default/files/styles/square_encounter_thumbnail/public/unspecified-3_0.jpg?itok=M7LbZrE4)
![Sugar Maple monitoring on SLU campus Sugar Maple monitoring on SLU campus](/sites/default/files/styles/square_encounter_thumbnail/public/unspecified-4_1.jpg?itok=kKx_dcZ9)
Wild Eats Episode 4: Nettle Ravioli
![Creative Commons: Brewbooks](/sites/default/files/styles/square_encounter_large/public/screen_shot_2016-07-25_at_2.52.10_pm.png?itok=FnixtzC8)
By India Harvey on
Blog: Farmed and ForagedIn most cases it’s wise to avoid contact from anything that stings, yet nettles are a notable exception. Stinging nettles (Urtica dioica) are covered in fine hairs called trichomes, which inject histamines into your skin on contact, causing an unpleasant stinging sensation. Fortunately for us, cooking nettles destroys the trichomes, leaving us with a mild-flavored and nutritious leafy green…
![Creative Commons: Jerry Kirkhart](/sites/default/files/styles/square_encounter_thumbnail/public/screen_shot_2016-07-25_at_2.55.39_pm.png?itok=q0YgYIhU)
![Creative Commons: tfengreen](/sites/default/files/styles/square_encounter_thumbnail/public/screen_shot_2016-07-25_at_2.58.32_pm.png?itok=TYAqtvD7)
An Enchanted Afternoon: 2016 Fairy House Workshop
![Fairy House Building Fun](/sites/default/files/styles/square_encounter_large/public/unspecified_1.jpg?itok=1Arn3UlS)
By Cailand Sweeting on
Blog: Just Our NatureWhat’s a creative and imaginative way to engage with nature? Build a fairy house! Magic was definitely in the air at our fairy house building workshop this afternoon. Both kids and adults spent time first learning about the basics on how to build their own fairy house before beginning construction. Like any good architect, they first drew up plans and blueprints and considered what materials they…
Wild Eats Episode 3: Cattails
![](/sites/default/files/styles/square_encounter_large/public/screen_shot_2016-07-05_at_9.54.14_am.png?itok=mX45fDVQ)
By India Harvey on
Blog: Farmed and ForagedWho needs mining gold when you can have swamp gold? What is swamp gold, you ask? Well, hold onto your hats ladies and gentlemen: you’re in for a treat! The North Country may not have a lot of golden ore, but its wetlands are filled with cattails whose pollen transforms local swamps into a virtual goldmine.
Cattails (Typha latifolia) are common wetland plants that are surprisingly useful to humans…
Vengeful Veggies
![](/sites/default/files/styles/square_encounter_large/public/img_9580.jpg?itok=IdfQnljl)
By Paul J. Hetzler on
Blog: Just Our NatureIt’s not unheard of for people to burn vegetables now and then, especially if you’re as easily distracted as I am. I’ll think, the spinach is on low heat, so there’s plenty of time to run out to the garden for chives. Thirty minutes later I’ll be weeding the tomato patch, chiveless, when the smoke alarm indicates the spinach is “done.” Oops.
While it sounds absurd to think a vegetable might burn…
![](/sites/default/files/styles/square_encounter_thumbnail/public/img_9585_0.jpg?itok=ww-J99W7)
![](/sites/default/files/styles/square_encounter_thumbnail/public/img_9586.jpg?itok=HjlAHT4N)
Nature Up North Calendar Photo Contest
![Calendar Cover photo](/sites/default/files/styles/square_encounter_large/public/cover.jpg?itok=_OYfckpu)
By Jacob Malcomb on
Blog: Just Our Nature
Calling all North Country nature photographers: Nature Up North is hosting a contest for nature photos that will be featured in our 2017 wall calendar. Nature Up North encourages exploration and appreciation of the North Country environment. One way we do this is through the Encounters feature on our website. Encounters enable you to share photos and narratives from your outdoor…
![Calendar Preview](/sites/default/files/styles/square_encounter_thumbnail/public/nun_calendar_preview_0.jpg?itok=kUZ5qIY8)
Wild Eats Episode 2: Juneberries
![Ripe juneberries can be reddish-pink or purple](/sites/default/files/styles/square_encounter_large/public/img_9570_0.jpg?itok=uC9hvo8q)
By India Harvey on
Blog: Farmed and ForagedAmelanchier canadensis, a small shrubby tree native to our region, goes by many names: serviceberry, shadberry, shadbush, and juneberry. But my personal favorite is saskatoon berry. What a wonderful name for a fruit. It perfectly captures the pizzazz of these tiny reddish purple spheres, which are most commonly known as juneberries. This designation highlights its harvesting season, since the…
![You'll likely find yourself competing with wildlife for ripe junberries](/sites/default/files/styles/square_encounter_thumbnail/public/img_9568.jpg?itok=22AmR_LA)
![Juneberry blooms in early May](/sites/default/files/styles/square_encounter_thumbnail/public/2016-05-06_08.52.16.jpg?itok=nnxpqQNz)