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Naturalist Notes: April, 2019
>> Naturalist Notes & Musings:
Each spring, ponds like our very own Ruckman pond go through an amazing seasonal shift.First, the increasing day length and higher sun angle lead to a melting of the ice and a warming of the pond’s water and bottom sediment.
The shallow nature of ponds lets some of the sun light reach the dark colored bottom and warm it from underneath. This lets the warming sediment begin the yearly rebirth of the pond's phytoplankton, zooplankton and insect life.
While some of these tiny pond dwellers are out and about during the winter, most are hidden away in the pond’s muddy bottom until conditions are right for them to return. The warmth wakes them up, and then they quickly go to work. The tiny "plant-like" phytoplankton use that sun light combined with nutrients dissolved in the pond water to do the magic of photosynthesis and make much of the food that will feed the rest of the pond’s inhabitants.
Some of the zooplankton, or "animal-like" microscopic creatures rely on decomposing last year’s bounty, but most await the bloom of phytoplankton and graze like rabbits in a field of clover. The exponential growth of the zooplankton is just one link in the food chain, as they become much-needed sustenance for the waking insect life stirred from long winter’s nap. The pond’s fish, rejuvenated by warming water, get ready for their spring reproduction attempts by feeding heavily on all of this new-found food. Most of this spring activity we miss, not just because it is under water, but because most of the pond’s life is microscopic. They might be small but they are what makes the pond’s glory possible.
See you on the trails!
Marc Gussen, Naturalist
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Naturalist Notes: March, 2019
>> Naturalist Notes & Musings:
Many of the animals that we love and care for here at the Nature Center were once brought here as unwanted pets. Their stories vary considerably, but they all have a common thread - they really needed a new home. Sometimes it is a simple case of: "I never thought it would live this long and my son is going off to college" or, "The kids have lost interest and my husband is stuck doing all the work". Other times a conscientious caregiver just becomes unable to continue providing for a beloved pet, and responsibly seeks out the best new home they can find. On occasions (thankfully rare), animals get dropped off with out a call or even a note. No matter what the circumstances, we do our best to find or give them a good home. Having a pet can be a huge responsibility and require lots of time and love. Obviously, a horse will require more effort and resources than a goldfish, but both will rely on you just the same. Having a pet is commitment that is easier to make when a person truly understands what it actually takes to care for whatever animal they choose. A large jungle bird that needs its own room in the house, eats $100 worth of macadamia nuts a week, and could live to be 60 years old might not be the best choice for most prospective pet owners, despite the flashy plumage. The joys of having animal companions can be amazing but those joys don't come without hard work and daily devotion. If your kids are dying for a pet, but you just don't have room in your life for yet another responsibility, don't worry- that's just one of the reasons the Nature Center animals are here. Kids can get exposed to the many joys of animals, (but you won't have to go to the pet store every week to buy crickets!).
See you on the trails!
Marc Gussen, Naturalist
P.S. Cute Kid’s QuoteOne day with a room filled with 2nd graders, I was talking about how animals don't just talk with sounds, but that many animals can communicate with their bodies.
I asked them what a dog "says" when it wags its tail?A boy responded with "Ruff! Ruff!"
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Naturalist Notes: February, 2019
>> Naturalist Notes & Musings:
For many years now we have offered programs for kids during school vacations. These programs started due to the number of calls I would get prior to (and during) vacations asking if we have anything for kids to do while they are out of school.
We started to offer school break programs regularly and they have been a part of our pledge to offer affordable environmental education to our community. The programs we offer include our summer nature program, our after-school program and the school break program.
All of the classes I teach have a few simple goals: (1) to get kids excited about science and nature; (2) to get kids outside, learning and exploring the natural world; and (3) to help close the widening gap between our modern world and the natural world. I don't expect that every child who comes through will end up working in zoo or becoming a botanist, just as we don't expect every kid that learns to play a musical instrument to end up in Carnegie Hall. It's about exposure, a well-rounded education and upbringing.
We will continue to offer opportunities for the children of our community to embrace the natural world in fun, exciting, and engaging ways. This month we are offering both our after-school science programs and the winter break program: two great ways to get kids outside and learning!
See you on the trails!
Marc Gussen, Naturalist
P.S. Cute Kid’s QuoteOne day with a room filled with 2nd graders, I was talking about how animals don't just talk with sounds, but that many animals can communicate with their bodies.
I asked them what a dog "says" when it wags its tail?A boy responded with "Ruff! Ruff!"
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Naturalist Notes: January, 2019
>> Naturalist Notes & Musings:
When winter really sets in, there is no better place than the Closter Nature Center for a quick hike. Considering the ordeal of getting dressed for the cold and snow, it gets hard in the winter to go outside for some exercise, but the benefits are tremendous. To offset our tendency to spend more time inside and less time outside, a few simple tips can help pave the way towards a happy and healthy winter.
"There is no such thing as bad weather - only bad clothes." I don't know who to credit this quote to, but that doesn't lessen the power of this nugget of wisdom. Layering up and topping things off with a windproof top can be the difference between a great hike and a shiver-fest. Snow boots may not be the best hiking boots for an all day trip, but for a 45 minute walk along snow covered trails they will be fine. A warm hat that covers the ears, and some gloves to protect those tender digits and we are ready.
The forest in winter is a magical place, and being able to enjoy it while getting some exercise is a special treat. The Nature Center is open from dawn to dusk, and we encourage you to show up and hit the trails no matter what the weather.
See you on the trails!
Marc Gussen, Naturalist
P.S. Cute Kid’s QuoteWhile talking with some kindergartners about habitats, I asked the kids, "What is a pond?"
One insightful 5 year old scratched his head and said, "It's an inside out island"
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The Closter Nature Center is a certifying organization in the President’s Volunteer Awards Program (PVSA). The PVSA program is sponsored by AmeriCorps and operated by Points of Light Inc.
Points of Light, Inc. works to create products and services that help volunteers, nonprofits/NGOs and corporations maximize their impact and “inspire more points of light in communities around the world.”
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