New video & info from Adam Haritan
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Greetings!
Before we get to the really good stuff, I'd like to mention that Learn Your Land now has an Instagram account. If you'd like to learn more about plants, mushrooms, and animals on a more regular basis, feel free to give the page a follow by clicking here!
Of course, the Facebook page has been active for some time with daily photos and videos, and if you haven't been over there, feel free to check out that one as well by clicking here.
Ok, now on to the really good stuff.
Winter is here, and a good friend told me something peculiar: "Nature is on hiatus this time of year, isn't that right?"
Well, I never like to tell people they're wrong (their faces get all twisted and they start fidgeting in unusual ways), so instead of saying "You are so wrong," I instead replied: "That doesn't seem to be the case, at least not from my observations."
Smooth and tactful.
What leads me to this conclusion — that nature does not take a hiatus, even in cold ol' Western PA —is that plenty of greenery can be seen. Green leaves remain not only in the canopy of many coniferous forests, but in the understory as well.
Yes, even in January.
I recently spent a day exploring McConnells Mill State Park in Western Pennsylvania in search of two plants whose green hues remind us that chlorophyll is not just a trendy summer outfit. Both of these plants are valuable members of their respective communities, and both retain rather interesting histories that I think you may find fascinating. What's more, these two species may be useful (in some ways significantly useful) in treating human illnesses.
Interested in learning more? Check out the new video!
And last but certainly not least, if you live in Pennsylvania, don't forget to check out the great list of winter events below!
As always, thanks for your support!
-Adam Haritan
Upcoming Events
Moonlight Snowshoe at Ohiopyle State Park - 1/6 (SW PA)
Enjoy the quiet and serenity of a guided moonlit snowshoe tour through one of Pennsylvania's most beautiful parks.
Winter Bird Census at the Schuylkill Center - 1/7 (SE PA)
Beginners pair up with experienced birders to continue the annual tradition of monitoring the species richness & abundance of birds that winter in PA.
Animal Habitat Nesting Box Inspection & Repair with Friends of the Wissahickon - 1/7 (SE PA)
Help promote critical habitat of various birds and learn about the needs of bluebirds, bats, wood ducks, and others. Bring your binoculars for some bird watching, too!
Eagle Day with Delaware Highlands Conservancy - 1/7 (NE PA)
Join the Delaware Highlands Conservancy and other local organizations for a free afternoon of presentations and demonstrations featuring eagles and other native birds.
Young Birders Club Meeting in Pittsburgh with Jack Solomon - 1/8 (SW PA)
Come to the Frick Environmental Center in Pittsburgh and join Jack Solomon, past president of the Three Rivers Birding Club, and others to see who's interested in creating a young birders group.
How To Avoid Raising Another Bird's Chicks at Lehigh Gap Nature Center - 1/19 (SE PA)
Dr. Todd Underwood, a professor of biology at Kutztown University, will discuss his experimental research on how and why some host birds can recognize and eject a parasite’s eggs.
The Oaks: Acorn Harvesting & Processing at Raccoon Creek State Park - 1/28 (SW PA)
Learn the history, identification and edible qualities of the oaks. Participants will learn to process acorns by shelling, leaching, drying, grinding, and storing before cooking and sampling several acorn based foods.
More events can be found at Learn Your Land.