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
Evening Paddle on the Little River
Looking to get out on the water this summer? Join us for a relaxing evening paddling on the Little River in Canton. You can bring your own canoe or kayak, or borrow one from us for free! Meet at the Canton Boat Launch on Park Street at 6:30pm. Please RSVP to info@natureupnorth.org and include the number in your group who would like to paddle and your canoe/kayak preference.
Natural Plant Tie-Dyeing, July 4th Canton Farmer's Market
Natural dying is an ancient practice of using natural plant or animal products to dye textiles. Most clothing today is dyed with synthetic dye, but you can experience the magic of coloring an article of clothing with plants you can find in your backyard! Join us at the Canton farmer’s market on July 4th to color white bandanas (free) and white Nature Up North t-shirts ($10) with natural dyes. Feel free to bring your own white or light-colored 100% cotton fabric to dye, as well.
Evening Paddle in Canton - Exploring Water Plants
Join us for our second evening paddle of the summer in Canton. We will spend some time exploring the Little River where it meets up with the Grasse River, while observing water plants growing along the river's edge. You can bring your own canoe or kayak, or borrow one from us for free! Meet at the Canton Canoe Launch on Park Street at 6:30pm. Please RSVP to Emlyn at ecrocker@stlawu.edu and include the number in your group who would like to paddle.
Introduction to Fishing Workshop 2017
It's time for some reel talk… Join the Nature Up North Team to learn about local fish and how to cast! Once a year, New York State opens up their waters for free fishing for NYS residents, so no previous experience or fishing license required! About 10 fishing poles will be provided but feel free to bring your own gear. You may also want to bring sunscreen, water, and a camera (to post pictures of your catch on natureupnorth.org). Be prepared to get a little wet! Shorts and close-toed sandals or old sneakers are ideal for wading in the water.
Evening Paddle in Canton
Cool down and unwind after a long summer day with an evening paddle down a calm river. We will spend some time exploring the Little River where it meets up with the Grasse River, while providing some basic canoe/kayak tips. You can bring your own canoe or kayak, or borrow one from us for free! Meet at the Canton Canoe Launch on Park Street at 6:30pm. Please RSVP to Emlyn at ecrocker@stlawu.edu and include the number in your group who would like to paddle.
Summer Solstice Hike up Coney Mt.
Come celebrate the longest day of the summer sun with Nature Up North as we hike up Coney Mountain for sunset! Located just south of Tupper Lake, Coney Mountain is a short 1 mile ascent with a just a very few sections of steep terrain. We'll watch the sun set from the top as we enjoy 360 views of the Adirondacks to the East and Tupper Lake to the North. Please RSVP if you plan on attending, as our group size is limited. Transportation is available from Canton, please contact us at natureupnorth@gmail.com if you would like to ride with us.
Wild Edible Plants Walk
Nature is fruitful, but fruits aren't the only edible parts of wild plants. Join Nature Up North as we reveal common and uncommonly found edible plants on a tour of the Remington Recreational Trail in Canton. Collecting your own wild edible plants can add a nutritious element to salads, jams, teas, trail snacks and more. Having a better understanding of what is edible and what isn't will enhance your connection to the local environment as well as your survival skills. Come spend a few hours learning how to find, identify and prepare local edible plants both responsibly and safely.
Campfire with Len Mackey: Fire-making and Drumming
Want to learn to start a fire by hand? To kick off our summer campfire series, Nature Up North invites you to come help us light the first fire of the season! Len Mackey will be joining us for an interactive evening learning the Earth's oldest ways of making fire with hand or bow drill. Once the fire is burning, we will enjoy the deep, peaceful power of songs from Native North America and Guinea West Africa, and learn how to play traditional rhythms during a hand-drumming demonstration by Len Mackey.
Green the Grasse
Come celebrate Earth Day this Saturday April 22nd by helping us Green the Grasse River! We will spend the morning picking up trash on the trail to the Sandbanks and along the banks of the Grasse River. Meet at the Red Barn across from the Wachtmeister Field Station on Route 27 at 10:00 am. Email Emlyn at ecrocker@stlawu.edu with questions and to RSVP. Looking forward to seeing you there!
1st Friday Outing: Signs of Spring on the Saddlemire Trail
Want to be the first to find an early spring wildflower? Or to see a gray tree frog who's just emerged from hibernation? Come search for signs of spring on the Saddlemire Trail with Nature Up North this Friday! Early spring, before leaf out, is a great time to search for animal tracks in the mud and to spot amphibians and other critters who are becoming more active. We'll meet at 3:00pm at the Saddlemire Trailhead, located near the B Lot Parking area, off the Avenue of the Elms at St. Lawrence University.