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
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
Woodland Fairies Visit the North Country
By Molly McMasters on June 15, 2017
*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, talking…
Blog category: Just Our Nature
Ask A Fairy, Spring 2017
By Thimble & Blossom on June 9, 2017
The wait is finally over! The fairies are so happy that you found their houses, and they said the questions you asked this year were especially thoughtful. Thimble Hickory and Blossom Dewdrop are your fairy experts on North Country nature and fairy culture again for this round of questions. They’re on their way to their northern summer nesting spot, but they already can’t wait to pass through the…
Blog category: Ask a Fairy
Colton-Pierrepont Earth Week 2017
By Emlyn Crocker on June 9, 2017
It's late spring in the North Country, and the hills are alive with the sounds of birds and bees doing that important job - pollination. Last week Nature Up North joined Colton-Pierreont Central School's Earth Week Celebration, where pollination is the theme of this year's festivities. We challenged 1st-6th grade students to act out the story of pollination through a hands-on relay game, and…
Blog category: In the Schools
An In-Tents Infestation
By Paul J. Hetzler on May 31, 2017
Update: 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 lands…
Blog category: Just Our Nature
2017 Earth Day 7K Recap
By Emlyn Crocker on April 21, 2017
Spirits 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…
Blog category: Just Our Nature
Springtime Vernal Pools
By Amanda Brooks on April 4, 2017
April 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…
Blog category: Just Our Nature
Spring Pruning: As Easy as 1-2-3.
By Paul J. Hetzler on March 29, 2017
As far as trees are concerned, the optimal time for pruning in northern NY is from early March until the buds start to open; usually mid-April. And given that early spring is often a pretty enjoyable time to be outdoors, you may tend to concur. Tree pruning may be done any time in the dormant season (or in late summer—more on that below), but during the four to six weeks leading up to bud-break,…
Blog category: Just Our Nature