WriterByNature.com

April 3, 2008 7:35 am

If you’ve got a sapling in one hand and a digging tool in the other, here’s how, thanks to American Forests.

This is one of two organizations I’ve found that will also plant trees to celebrate a rite of passage or commemorate a loved one. That’s my idea of gift giving. Really, is there a better way to honor your mom, a bride and groom, or a graduate?

I’m not simply reliving Earth Day memories; my Dad will be 82-years-old on April 19. Trees seem a fitting tribute. American Forests provides a range of services and tree-planting support. The National Arbor Foundation also has a tree gift certificate.

March 16, 2008 5:43 am

This is another indoor nature activity.

A good time to do this is late winter, before the trees wake up.

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February 29, 2008 6:32 am

“Please sir, may I have more,” I tease as Carl pours each person on the tour a bit of maple sap.

The Hudson Highlands Nature Museum staff refer to themselves as edutainers. Carl, who led this maple syrup production tour from the tree to the table, has mastered the art of educating and entertaining while hiking.

We move and stop intermittently. It’s the way I like to hike when foraging or attracting wildlife. This museum really makes the natural world accessible to the general public.

This is the first winter of my life that there has been virtually no snow; the first significant accumulation had fallen just two days before this hike. But people who tap sugar maple trees in this area have already begun the process. In a normal winter, this would be the time to start.

It’s a short season - six weeks at most. Even with 21st Century technology, it’s a labor-intensive process. The result is worth the effort. If we happen to get a spring snow storm, I’ll be able to enjoy maple syrup on snow.

A few people my age, their children and grandchildren follow along, snapping icicles off branches, negotiating a snow-covered bridge and searching for dried sugar maple leaves. Carl delights in their discoveries. I marvel at how many details I didn’t know about this process. (more…)

February 24, 2008 7:04 am

Finding a blow-down, where a live tree has fallen down, can be a lucky opportunity in a survival situation. The pine tree that fell just before our survival class began, provided pine needles for tea, pine inner bark for food, boughs to cushion and warm the floor of our shelter and baskets for heating liquid during our trek.

This photo shows how the pine branch was peeled and the folded basket. (more…)

January 10, 2008 6:52 pm

This is a neat recycling project. Try making new paper from old paper you would otherwise throw away. The results can be surprising.

Many types of paper that can be used include:

1. Computer Paper (unprinted)
2. Newspaper (If you want a grayish colored paper)
3. Magazines
4. Egg Cartons
5. Old Cards (For heavier paper)
6. Toilet Paper
7. Paper Bags
8. Non Waxed Boxes (Pre-soak in warm water)
9. Office Paper
10. Tissue Paper (For finer paper)
11. Typing Paper
12. Napkins
13. Construction Paper (more…)

December 29, 2007 5:46 am

I was reading my survival skill class notes. I haven’t looked at these in a number of years.

I’m impressed with the complete explanations and careful drawings. I just modified my pine needle tea recipe. The needles nearer the trunk are higher in Vitamin C than needles on outer branches.  (more…)

December 24, 2007 5:35 am

Now, that’s a really green idea. I wish the Original Living Christmas Tree company had offices in every community in the country.

I love the idea of the tree. I hate the slaughter. This makes sense. They grow the tree and deliver it to you for the holiday. You decorate and care for the tree.

If you want keep the tree and plant it yourself, fine. If not, they collect the rented trees and ultimately plant them in open spaces.

This perfect solution to celebrating with a tree and greening the earth - all part of a holy season - is enough to make me stop saying, “Bah, humbug.”

May your next Christmas tree thrive and grow.

November 23, 2007 6:09 am

I love the colors, but really I feel like I’ve stepped into a strange world. This is the first time in my 55 years on the planet that colored leaves have been around on Thanksgiving.

This extended leaf season is both soothing and disturbing. It’s hard not to be in awe of the expanse of color. But I wonder if the trees are as confused as I am. (more…)

November 6, 2007 6:30 pm

Thanks to New York State’s DEC, Cornell University and three nurseries, 330 trees will help control the erosion of this riparian floodplain.

I was astonished to learn that the trees from one of the nurseries, RPM, were seeds one year ago.

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October 30, 2007 6:45 am

These heirloom apples are not much to look at, but one bite and everyone I know becomes a huge fan.

I had to go to New York City to find a farm in the Hudson Valley with russet apple trees. My favorite way to enjoy these apples is to pick them myself. This farm has picked all their russets. Next year I’ll find out when they pick and ask if I can join in.

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