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!
Love Your Mother 5th Annual Earth Day 7K
The first 50 participants to register will receive a free T-Shirt! (registration form here)
The 5th annual Earth Day 7K is going virtual! Net proceeds will benefit the North Country COVID-19 response!
Nature Up North and the St. Lawrence Land Trust invite you to join us for the 5th annual Earth Day 7K Trail Run & Walk! The virtual race will take place from April 22nd to May 22nd.
How to Participate:
An otter??? A beaver? No, it is Rocky Raccoon!
I am always looking for otters and beavers while on my morning walks. Well, this little bandit decided to take a swim and might have had me fooled if I had not seen them dive in from the dock with my own eyes. Who knew that raccoons were pretty good swimmers? Not me. Definitelly a first.
Happy garter snake
With the unexpected and likely brief return of warm temperatures, garter snakes were out in full force. During my hike through the Clarkson Woods (a highly underrated local trail system), I kept whipping my head around to the sound of rustling beech leaves and finding garter snakes sliding across the forest floor. I probably saw 5 or 6 just by the observation deck!
Warm Day at Lampson Falls
It was a lovely sunny day at Lampson Falls. It was a fantastic place to soak in what I predict to be one of the last warm North Country days for a while. It got into the 70s!
Fall Trails Day at Higley Flow State Park
The Friends of Higley Flow State Park anticipate a robust winter season this year. Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing the trails at Higley are a way for families to get outside in the fresh, crisp air of the winter months.
In preparation for the season, the Friends will host a trails day at the Park from 9:00 A.M. to approximately 1:00 P.M. on Saturday, November 7th, 2026. The purpose of the workday is to put the trails in the Park into top shape for winter cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.
GardenShare Winter Farmers Markets
Bring a taste of the North Country home as GardenShare hosts three Winter Farmers Markets in Potsdam this November and December.
Browse winter vegetables, locally raised meats, honey, maple products, baked goods and handmade crafts from St. Lawrence County producers. Stock your pantry, pick up ingredients for a special meal or find a locally made gift.
Nov. 7
Nov. 21
Dec. 19
GardenShare Winter Farmers Markets
Bring a taste of the North Country home as GardenShare hosts three Winter Farmers Markets in Potsdam this November and December.
Browse winter vegetables, locally raised meats, honey, maple products, baked goods and handmade crafts from St. Lawrence County producers. Stock your pantry, pick up ingredients for a special meal or find a locally made gift.
Nov. 7
Nov. 21
Dec. 19
GardenShare Winter Farmers Markets
Bring a taste of the North Country home as GardenShare hosts three Winter Farmers Markets in Potsdam this November and December.
Browse winter vegetables, locally raised meats, honey, maple products, baked goods and handmade crafts from St. Lawrence County producers. Stock your pantry, pick up ingredients for a special meal or find a locally made gift.
Nov. 7
Nov. 21
Dec. 19
Pied Billed Grebe
My morning walks have been quiet with the change of season. This little cutie found a sweet spot in the morning light and I was able to capture a few photos. Pied Billed Grebes are interesting little water birds; they are like submarines. They have the ability to trap water in their feathers thereby allowing them to control their buoyancy.
Bringing an Eco-Twist to Pumpkin Carving in Canton
Among the princesses, pirates, and popstars at Canton Village Park this past Saturday, a makeshift pumpkin patch waited for its first curious artisan to arrive. As attendees chose their gourds and began to shovel seed-studded guts into compost buckets, an unexpected visitor made an appearance. A beautiful monarch butterfly settled delicately upon a pumpkin. Did the butterfly feel kinship with its orange brethren? Did it want to be a part of the day's excitement? Or, the most likely conclusion, was the butterfly attracted to the abundant delicacies of sweet pumpkin rind?