Enjoy discoveries on our 152 acre preserve.
One of five vernal pools at Woodcock in winter.
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Enjoy discoveries on our 152 acre preserve.
Notes from a Naturalist
March 19, 2025
By Kevin Andros - Environmental Educator
The title is a bit of an exaggeration but I wanted to hook you in to share a really cool group of plants that most people don’t even know exists. Clubmosses are an order of plants within the class Lycopods. Lycopods are the oldest surviving vascular plants which means they are some of the earliest plants that have specialized tissue to transfer water and nutrients throughout the plant. Some of the extinct species, during the carboniferous period, towered over rainforests at more than 100 feet tall. Now that we have the basics out of the way we can move on to the explosions.
- Read the full article here
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February 26, 2025
Seeking Out Seasonal Change: The Magic of Phenology
By Tommy McCarthy - Environmental Educator
“Phenology” is a word that I had first heard of from signs alongside trails at nature preserves. It’s not one of the more well known “ologies” that we usually think of when it comes to nature, like ecology, biology and geology. Even ones like entomology (the study of insects) and ornithology (the study of birds) are typically more well recognized. But phenology is something we all think about and take note of each year whether or not we realize it, and now is the perfect time to become more aware of it.
- Read the full article here
January 14, 2025
How Do Trees Survive the Winter?
By Jen Meikle - Environmental Educator
Winter is a time for rest and hibernation. The shorter daylight hours and cold temperatures tend to make humans want to cozy up inside and bide our time until spring. This time of year, most animals are doing the same. While trees are rooted in the ground and can’t take refuge until the cold winter months are over like humans and animals do, they have adapted their own protections against the harsh winter elements.
- Read the full article here