A chance to take in the aftermath of Monday's prescribed meadow burn.In the next few days, rain will wash the ash away and spring will conjure up plenty of green in our meadows, erasing most traces of the prescribed fire that took place early in the week. But the ecological consequences of this stewardship practice—at […]
A chance to take in the aftermath of Monday's prescribed meadow burn.In the next few days, rain will wash the ash away and spring will conjure up plenty of green in our meadows, erasing most traces of the prescribed fire that took place early in the week. But the ecological consequences of this stewardship practice—at […]
Mark the return of spring on a nature walk that explores some favorite signs of the changing seasons. As spring unfolds, the land reveals so much to witness and celebrate. On this walk, take time to read the land for signs of the changing seasons: bursting buds, birdsong, buzzing bees, and spring ephemerals—the inconspicuous early […]
With the return of spring comes a nightly chorus of chirps and peeps, but those aren’t birds you’re hearing! Join us as we seek out the frogs responsible in their unique, ephemeral habitat: the vernal pool. One of Spring’s most fascinating—and fleeting—features, vernal pools come and go with the changing of seasons. Discover how to […]
Learn the techniques and importance behind map and compass navigation. Course Overview Have you ever gone off-trail to relieve yourself and wondered what you would do if you got turned around? Maybe you need to get back to your vehicle before a thunderstorm rolls in but you aren’t sure you trust yourself to take an […]
A guided walk through our orchid range will have you seeing this plant family in a whole new light—literally.We'll first take in the subtle changes that nightfall brings to Duke Farms during a twilight walk from the Orientation Center to the Orchid Range. There, we'll encounter a wide variety of orchids, some of which are […]
In this course, we will explore the trees of Duke Farms through the lens of biology, ecology, and biodiversity. Course Overview Lecture material on how trees fit into our local ecosystems—both today and into the future—will contextualize the strong focus on tree identification necessary to understand these complex organisms. Some background in basic tree identification […]
Wetlands are a unique habitat, meet some of the resident flora and fauna that call wetlands home.Learn what wetlands are, what flora and fauna live in them, and how they adapt to this environment. Participants will also learn about the restored and constructed wetlands at Duke Farms. Expect to walk through the NRCS wetlands near […]
Come get lost in the moss (and lichen).You’ve seen those curious patches of green, blue, and yellow filling sidewalk cracks and plastered on trees, but have you ever leaned in for a closer look? Mosses and lichens are everywhere, from cities to old-growth forests, but they remain overlooked and understudied. They are tiny, their features […]
Learn to manage natural resources more effectively. Course Overview The Spring Stewardship Workshop caters to land stewards and property owners seeking to enhance the effective management of their natural resources. This concise, expert-led course aims to equip participants with fundamental knowledge, fostering a comprehensive understanding of prudent stewardship practices. Featured Topics: Identification of invasive plants […]
Learn about different types of habitats and the wildlife within them! Explore some of the many different types of habitats at Duke Farms, including wetland, aquatic, meadow, and forest habitats. Learn what kinds of flora and fauna live in these different ecosystems and how these species differ from one habitat to another. We'll also see […]
Nature photography: now plant-based and solar-powered. Mark the summer solstice and capture the ephemeral charm of our native plants through the little-known process of anthotype printing. This form of alternative photography makes use of the fragility of plant pigments under strong sunlight to create colorful impressions of foliage and flowers. What better time to try […]
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