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Did you know there’s a way to celebrate Thanksgiving all month long? Not only is it easy to do, but it helps bring everyone’s attention back to the things that matter most. Create a Thankful Tree with your family or class! Supplies Roll of brown bulletin board paper, butcher paper, or packaging paper Red, yellow, …

The air is crisp, leaves are turning, and nature is calling! Fall is the perfect season to get outside with family and enjoy all the beauty this time of year offers. Here are some fun ideas to make the most of autumn.   Outdoor Adventures:   Go for a scenic hike and enjoy the vibrant …

Whether you’re gardening, hiking, or walking a forest trail, it can be difficult to tell the difference between poison ivy and Virginia creeper. One is harmless, while the other will cause a nasty rash. Both poison ivy and Virginia creeper grow in wooded areas, along forest edges and trails, and in urban areas, which means …

Dusk is the period after the sun sets, but before the sky goes completely dark. During dusk, you can see the sky gradually darkening, people retreating indoors, and the streetlights coming on. If you are outside during this time, you will see that some animals are just waking up. You probably know that nocturnal animals …

Want to try rock climbing, but don’t know where to begin? Rock climbing takes strength, patience, and skill, but it is a great way to experience nature from a whole new viewpoint. There is a lot to learn before you take a shot at scaling a mountain face. Indoor Climbing There are many specific skills …

Do you enjoy eating fruits and vegetables or getting flowers for special occasions? Well, you can thank bees for that. They may not understand the value of personal space, but bees are some of the most important pollinators in the world. And there isn’t just one type of bee buzzing around. There are more than …

Constellations are groups of stars that form shapes. These recognizable shapes are usually named after people, animals, or objects. Constellations were used by Greeks, Babylonians, and Egyptians as a guiding compass and map of the sky, telling people what direction they were going. Since certain constellations only appear during specific times of the year, farmers …

Hiking and camping are two of the Carolinas’ most popular outdoor activities, thanks to the area’s many hiking trails, scenic mountains, and beautiful, well-maintained campsites. These activities are great ways to experience nature up close and personal, but it’s important to be prepared, which includes staying hydrated.  Before You Go Hiking up and down the …

The Buck Moon, also known as July’s supermoon, is the full moon that appears in the month of July. A supermoon occurs when a full moon is at its closest point to the Earth during its orbit. This closeness makes the moon appear brighter and more intense, hence the name.  Rooted in Tradition Every month …

There are many ways to soak up the sun. If you’re tired of staying cooped up inside the house, here’s an idea: dance. The best thing about dancing is that you don’t need any equipment – just your body and something to help you stay hydrated. Depending on the weather, you may need to wear …

Growing up in Louisiana, I loved spotting lizards in my backyard – the more interesting and colorful the better. I’d find large green anoles, spotted geckos, and slender glass lizards, which I often mistook for snakes. But the most evasive and exciting discovery was the five-lined skink, named for its five yellow or cream-colored stripes …

Journaling is an effective way to keep track of thoughts and emotions. It helps you express yourself, but it is also good for reflecting on the past and the potential actions of the future. Journaling during a full moon night is a beneficial way to wrap up one day and prepare yourself for the next …

Have you ever wanted the superpower to be invisible–to hide in plain sight? While whip-poor-wills are not exactly invisible, they have an almost supernatural reputation. At one time, you couldn’t go outside at dusk or dawn during the summer without hearing the unique, undulating call of the whip-poor-will, which is where they get their name. …

Summer has officially begun, and that means longer days, warmer weather—and the perfect excuse to splash around outdoors. Here are some ideas to get you started: Go swimming. Check around to find the swimming spots near you. Besides a pool, some other places to consider are a lake at a state park or a swimming …

You’ve surely heard chirping during warm summer days and nights, but do you wonder what, or who, is actually causing that sound? Most people assume that crickets are the only chirpers making noise during the summer, but cicadas and tree frogs are fans of the heat too. Although these creatures make similar sounds, they have distinct …

From sunny meadows to woodland edges, summer in the Southeastern United States bursts into color with a wide variety of native wildflowers. Below are some favorite flowers you might spot during these warmer months:    1. Black-eyed Susan  What they look like: Bright golden yellow petals and a dark brown center Where to find them: …

I think one of nature’s finest art pieces are spiderwebs. When I’m outdoors, I’ve made it a habit to go on a scavenger hunt to see how many webs I can spot in a day. Until recently, I thought all webs had the same pattern; they actually vary depending on the spider spinning the silk. …

Looking for a simple way to reconnect with nature, get some fresh air, and make lasting memories? National Trails Day is the perfect opportunity! Created by the American Hiking Society, National Trails Day is held the first Saturday in June. This nationwide celebration encourages families and individuals to step outside and enjoy the trail systems …

The Eastern bluebird is a small, bright songbird known for its vivid colors and sweet, warbling call. Male Eastern bluebirds are easy to recognize with their brilliant royal blue on the back and head and warm reddish brown on the throat and chest. Females are grayer and duller than the males. Eastern Bluebirds live across …

Today is Earth Day—a day to celebrate the beauty of our planet and take steps to care for it. Here are five fun and meaningful ways to mark the day: 1. Plant Something TogetherWhether it’s a tree, a native wildflower, or a vegetable seed in a pot, planting something is a hands-on way to care …