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 - news, updates and insights
Seeing Red
By Paul J. Hetzler on October 2, 2017
We need to figure out a way to have Amazon deliver the weather in the future. I don’t believe Mother Nature intended to give us a record-setting wet summer; I just think all the good weather probably got misplaced on a loading dock in Topeka, or something like that. The spate of mild sunny weather we’ve been having over the past couple of weeks, while very enjoyable, was clearly meant to be…
Blog category: Just Our Nature
Making Fire by Hand
By Emlyn Crocker on September 27, 2017
Ever made fire by hand? Students in the Intro the Environment and Society class at Colton-Pierrepont High School met with Dr. Timothy Messner, Archaeology professor at SUNY Potsdam, this September to learn how to make fire by hand using just a simple tool and the energy in their hands and breath. Below, students Summer Scovil and Ariel Garvin provide an insight into the experience:
Friday the…
Blog category: In the Schools
Northern Oysters
By Paul J. Hetzler on September 18, 2017
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.…
Blog category: Just Our Nature
An Introduction to Earth’s History as told by the North Country Landscape
By Maya Williams on August 3, 2017
Have 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…
Blog category: Just Our Nature
Nature Up North made me Nuts About Nature!
By Nancy LaFaver on August 2, 2017
I attended the Nature Up North Summer Workshop to find new ways to incorporate nature and to enhance my Nuts About Nature after school program. After two days of information overload and field experience, I was able to map out an entire school year of nature programs and activities! It was wonderful to not only hear about what Nature Up North is doing but to feel like it could be integrated into…
Blog category: In the Schools
Nature Up North Teaches the Teachers!
By Susan Dodds on August 2, 2017
Let the adventure begin! Once again the NUN crew delivered on their promise to provide relevant and engaging environmental education activities to our area teachers. This year's group of teachers included some veteran's of the NUN program and a couple of newcomers. Participants were engaged throughout the two day workshop in activities such as an Encounter walk at Heritage park, MOWing the Grasse…
Blog category: In the Schools
Nature Up North Calendar Photo Contest
By Emlyn Crocker on July 10, 2017
**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 North Country environment.…
Blog category: Just Our Nature
When the Sky is On Fire
By Maya Williams on June 30, 2017
The 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…
Blog category: Just Our Nature
It's Better When It's Wetter: Four Reasons to Get Out in the Rain
By Molly McMasters on June 27, 2017
It 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…
Blog category: Just Our Nature
No Hitchhikers
By Paul J. Hetzler on June 26, 2017
These 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…
Blog category: Just Our Nature