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!

Nature Up North

Winter Snowshoe Hike to Mt. Arab

Event date and time
January 6, 2019 - 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Event description

Join Nature Up North for a winter hike up Mount Arab to celebrate the new year. Just north of the town of Tupper Lake, Mount Arab is one of the most scenic easily-accessed peaks in the Adirondacks. We will enjoy a wooded hike and expansive views from the fire tower at the summit. This hike is 2 miles round trip (1 mile to the summit) with some steep sections and a rocky, root covered trail. Please wear warm layers and pack water, a snack or lunch, and an extra layer, as it gets windy on top! Depending on conditions the trail may be snowy or icy.

Naturalist Walk: Nocturnal Animals

Event date and time
November 9, 2018 - 4:30 PM to 5:30 PM
Event description

Join us this week on a walk of the Kip Trail in Canton to learn about the secret lives of the many nocturnal animals here in the North Country. We'll talk flying squirrels, skunks, bats, owls and many more of our common, but rarely seen nocturnal neighbors. Plus, we'll discuss some of the fascinating adaptations these critters have that allow them to navigate the world at night. This walk will be led by Nature Up North Project Manager Emlyn Crocker.

Fall Orienteering Course Open House

Event date and time
November 11, 2018 - 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM
Event description

 

Do you love trail running, hiking, and exploring new places? Come by this Sunday during our Fall Orienteering Open House to check out the Orienteering Course on the SLU campus. 

Not familiar with orienteering? Head over to our Orienteering page to learn about the sport and the permanent course at St. Lawrence University.

Forest Ecology and Citizen Science at Indian Creek Nature Center

Event date and time
November 3, 2018 - 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Event description

Join us at Indian Creek Nature Center to learn about various native tree species and the part they play in the forest ecosystem. This program will cover leaf, bark, and bud identification for species occurring in mixed northern hardwood forest, as well as natural history and ecosystem services. We will also discuss exciting volunteer opportunities with two of Nature Up North's citizen science initiatives, one focused on slowing the spread of emerald ash borer and a second researching the relationship between climate change and sugar maple decline.

Volunteer Water Sampling, Massena

Event date and time
October 13, 2018 - 2:00 PM to 4:30 PM
Event description

The Nicandri Nature Center in Massena and Nature Up North seek volunteers to sample water quality in Massena at the Fire Department on the Grasse River. This hands-on volunteer sampling session will last just over two hours and focus on simple water-monitoring techniques. Please meet at the Fire Department at 2:00 pm and wear or bring closed-toed shoes that can get wet (boots or old sneakers). Registration is appreciated, please contact Emlyn Crocker at ecrocker@stlawu.edu to register.

Volunteer Water Sampling at Hart's Falls (Canton)

Event date and time
October 14, 2018 - 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM
Event description

The St. Lawrence Land Trust and Nature Up North seek volunteers to monitor water quality at Hart's Falls Preserve! This hands-on volunteer sampling session will last three hours and focus on simple water-monitoring techniques. Please meet at the Hart's Falls parking area at 9:00 am and wear or bring closed-toed shoes that can get wet (boots or old sneakers). Registration is appreciated, please contact  Emlyn Crocker at ecrocker@stlawu.edu to register.

Naturalist Walk: Fall Foraging (edible plants)

Event date and time
October 12, 2018 - 4:30 PM to 5:30 PM
Event description

From sumac lemonade and wood sorrel to dandelion salad and cattail pancakes, you'll be sure to learn something new on this walk. Join us this month for a tour of common and uncommonly found edible plants on a walk of the Kip Trail in Canton. Having a solid understanding of what is edible and what isn't is key - and will enhance your connection to the local environment as well as your survival skills. This walk will be led by Nature Up North Project Manager Emlyn Crocker.

Stargazing Campfire

Event date and time
October 5, 2018 - 7:00 PM to October 5, 2018 - 9:30 PM
Event description

Nature Up North is excited to invite you to a night of stargazing and astronomy at our fall Campfire with St. Lawrence University Physics Professor Aileen O'Donoghue. On this date the moon will be a waning crescent, just four days away from the new moon and a great time to see stars and planets. We’ll start around the campfire at 7 pm with a short discussion, followed by the opportunity to join Aileen in small groups at a telescope set up a short distance away. This event is free and open to the public, with water and s’mores provided. Bring your friends and family!

Step Up for Maples! Maple Monitoring Info Session

Event date and time
September 26, 2018 - 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Event description

 

Chances are, if you live in the North Country you're familiar with sugar maple trees. In the face of climate change, there is recent concern about how a warming and increasingly unpredictable climate will affect both sugar maple health and maple syrup production. In this info session at the Canton Free Library, we’ll introduce you to Nature Up North’s ongoing Monitor My Maple project, in which North Country residents record important seasonal observation about maple trees in towns and villages.

MOW the Grasse Water Sampling, Heritage Park

Event date and time
September 29, 2018 - 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Event description

Grasse River Heritage and Nature Up North seek volunteers to monitor water quality at Heritage Park! This hands-on volunteer sampling session will last three hours and focus on simple water-monitoring techniques. Please meet at the Heritage Park entrance in Canton at 9:00 am and wear or bring closed-toed shoes that can get wet (boots or old sneakers). Registration is required, please contact Grasse River Heritage or Nature Up North (info@natureupnorth.org) to register. Volunteers below the age of 14 must be accompanied by an adult.