Category: Insects

A Giant Moth Trusts Her Rescuer

When a giant moth, just out of its cocoon, lands on a young lady's hand, she sits quietly and places the insect in a protective spot for the night. The following morning the moth's rescuer spots her with a male. When a storm approaches, the girl provides shelter in a tent for the moth, who, … Continue reading A Giant Moth Trusts Her Rescuer

Featured Post by VicPosted in InsectsTagged caterpillars, Giant moths, nature.

A Request from the University of Maryland: Ash Trees Infested with Emerald Ash Borers

Public is solicited to find an ash tree infested with Emerald Ash Borers

Posted on November 9, 2021November 25, 2021 by VicPosted in About Trees, Insects, Trees, UncategorizedTagged Ash Trees, Emerald Ash Borer, University of Maryland tree project.

Silence of the Cicadas (Brood X, 2021)

Yesterday I found another dead Brood X cicada on our front porch. It has been 12 days since I saw the last one. In recent weeks, the sudden stop of the loud buzzing created by billions of cicadas in 15 Eastern states saddened me. Baltimore County residents who were upset by the din, (which often … Continue reading Silence of the Cicadas (Brood X, 2021)

Posted on July 24, 2021November 10, 2021 by VicPosted in Insects, Native speciesTagged Brood X cicadas.

Check the new Maryland Big Tree Program Brochures

Baltimore County Forestry Brochure sponsors the Maryland Big Tree Project. The brochures have been distributed at the following nature centers in Baltimore County:

Lake Roland,
Marshy Point,
Oregon Ridge, and
Cromwell Valley Park!

To learn more about the Big Tree Program, click on our Big Tree Page.

NEW WORKSHOP SERIES 2022 -2023

STARTING November 5, 2022

Maryland Agriculture in the Classroom: Since 1998, First Fruits Farm has been growing and giving to their local community and beyond. Come learn about the work they are doing to address hunger and how you can use the same principles of growing and giving as the basis of learning in your classroom. Hands-on sessions will focus on the needs of plants, specifically looking at soil as the basis of life, and ways to use these concepts to engage your students in learning about where their food comes from. Ready to implement lessons will be shared with direct connections to science, language arts, and match curriculum and standards. The cost to participate is $30, 1 MSDE CPD Credit

For more information about the Agenda, starting on November 5th.

In the News – 2023

Calendar of Events

Check out this link to the Lake Roland Nature Council’s Calendar of Events. It is so well organized and easy to read. Look forward to the announcement of our Baltimore County Board’s discussion and walk about finding and measuring big trees, and their importance in our environment. Stay tuned for the confirmed date!

Cromwell Valley Park Council Events Calendar for End of December 2022 and January 2023

Marshy Point Nature center: December-January Calendar.

Oregon Ridge provides events year round.

Irvine Nature Center: Programs for Adults and Teens

Native Plants for Wildlife Habitat and Conservation Landscaping

Click here to access the 184 page PDF document about native plants in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed from the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

About Our Collective Impact

Center for Environmental Science: University of Maryland

Tree cores like the one shown here were used to measure wood chemistry.

Warming Climate Triggers Changes in Forests: “A warming climate is causing earlier springs and later autumns in eastern forests of the United States, lengthening the growing season for trees and potentially changing how forests function. Scientists from the Appalachian Laboratory of the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science used a combination of satellite images and field measurements to show that trees have greater demand for soil nitrogen in years with early springs.”