Season Watch Newsletter: 8/19/22

This week, we learn about native bumblebee life cycles, conservation easements, and spot the first signs of fall!

FEATURE: Conservation Easements!

While I was chasing dragonflies around Ontario, John and Heidi were deep in conversation with the Minnesota Land Trust and Northern Waters Land Trust! Their discussion centered on conservation easements, which protect homeowners' land from certain types of development in perpetuity. For instance, if you end up in the difficult situation of having to sell your house or family cabin, you can work with one of these agencies to ensure the continued protection of your land from environmental degradation. Take that, asphalt!

Check it out!

STUDENT AND LISTENER REPORTS

This week, my wife and I found a queen rusty-patched bumblebee (!!!), Long Lake Conservation Center's Education Coordinator takes a laid-back stroll and sees a bajillion species, and John gets an incredibly nice email from a listener in British Columbia. I also capitalize on a rare opportunity to say "I told you so" to John Latimer!

Listen here!

JOHN LATIMER'S WEEKLY REPORT

Much to my dismay, John's spotted the first signs of fall in Grand Rapids. However, there are still plenty of wildflowers to enjoy, so all is not yet lost! John fills us in on flowers, grasses, seeding plants, and an adventure in frogging. Plus, we learn about bird and butterfly fall phenology!

Listen to John's report!

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More dates and locations will be announced.

8/25: Nature's Notebook for Teachers. 9-11 AM. Zoom. Register here.
9/24: Phenology in the Classroom. Long Lake Conservation Center, Palisade, MN. Register here.
10/1: Phenology in the Classroom. Minnesota Association of Environmental Educators conference, Finland, MN. Register here.

SARAH'S RECOMMENDATION

After reading the stinging nettle section in Plants Have So Much to Give Us, All We Have to Do is Ask, I found myself desperate to try to make cordage from stinging nettles! As a resourceful millennial, I went straight to youtube and found this excellent how-to video. Need something to occupy your hands next time you're sitting around outside listening to bird calls? (That's a relatable problem... right?) Try making some string! I'm not great at it, but I can make something serviceable after just a few tries (I used some grass since I couldn't find stinging nettles).

Check it out!

THANK YOU to everyone who sent feedback about the newsletter! I really appreciate it.

If you don't want to share your observations through our Season Watch Facebook page, that's just fine! Feel free to email them directly to me, and I'd love to feature them here! Let's spread the joy of being outside :)

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American robin and nestlings (Turdus migratorius). Ojibwe: opichi

Don't sit like a log, go catch a frog!

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