North Area Environmental Council

Looking for something fun to do on this gloomy day? We have an idea! Join Assistant Naturalist Katie from the Latodami Nature Center for a virtual hike as she explores Parish Hill at North Park. Did you learn something new from this video? Let us know in the comments below

LAST DAY FOR SEEDLING ORDERS! A big thanks for all of your support! https://www.naecwpa.org/seedlings2021

Went to the park at sunrise today. I've been at the park before, but this was my first time shooting here. It was, quite frankly, the most enjoyable day of shoo...ting I've ever had in the state of Pennsylvania. Everyone was extremely welcoming and friendly; I met at least six people today. I saw the eagle almost all morning which has to be some crazy beginner's luck. The park is so pretty with the Cherry Blossoms and has such a wide variety of wildlife that I couldn't possibly shoot it all. Even the staff at OTB were fantastic. I haven't had time to go through all of my shots, but here are some early morning views from Gold Star Shelter and one of the eagle. I'll be back soon.

Courtesy of the TACF PA/NJ Chapter at PSU Chestnut Grower Guidelines for Spring APRIL 1, 2021 BY JEAN NAJJAR... With the arrival of Spring, we are getting more calls about planting times and best practices for growing. Orchard Manager, Stephen Hoy shared these general guidelines below: Starting Seeds and Transplanting Chestnut seeds should be sown indoors anytime in March and April and outdoors between March and May. While most seeds will remain dormant in the fridge it is not uncommon to find radicles emerging before the seeds are planted. With a little extra care, the seed should still be planted, radicle down, and a stem will emerge in 4 weeks for indoor plantings. If planting directly outdoors be sure to protect your seed from the many animals hoping for a delicious snack. Seeds planted directly in the ground outside will take longer to germinate based on the local weather conditions. Bareroot seedlings can be planted as early as the soil can be worked because seedlings are dormant when lifted at the nursery. Be aware, bareroots can dry out quickly if not properly watered and stored while awaiting planting. It is recommended to soak the root system in a bucket of water for several hours or overnight prior to planting. Containerized seedlings should be hardened off at least two weeks prior to planting if they are fully leafed out. This requires the seedlings to be gradually exposed to the environment so they can better handle the wind, sun, and rain after planting. Here at Penn State, the chestnut orchard plantings occur between May 15-25. Containerized seedlings can be safely planted into June as long as seedlings can be watered consistently for the month following planting. There are many websites where you can find your average last frost date, examples include weather.gov, plantmaps.com, almanac.com. Fertilizer: There is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to fertilizer. For best results, growers should purchase a soil test and apply based on that data. Chestnuts prefer more acidic conditions so if planting in a higher pH area it may be wise to amend the soil prior to planting with sulfur. Here at Penn State, we do not use fertilizer the year trees are planted. When fertilizer is applied we use a slow-release (6 months) fertilizer Ambrosia Beetle: Now is the time of year to construct and deploy traps to monitor for the granulate Ambrosia beetle. Follow this link. See more

Looks like the Marshall Island renovation is completed!

Here's a quick way to remind yourself it really is spring! Purchase some seedlings today at : https://www.naecwpa.org/seedlings2021

https://www.naecwpa.org/seedlings2021

Closer every day.

NAEC Newsletter - https://mailchi.mp/761541c4c2e1/naec-newsletter-5668242

TURTLES ARE BACK! With the return of sunshine and warm weather, aquatic turtles, like our native Snapping and Painted turtles, have begun to emerge from their "...brumation." Brumation is just like hibernation, but for reptiles! Turtles - like other reptiles - are ectothermic, meaning they cannot regulate their own body temperature and instead rely on the environment. During the winter, when temperatures are cold and sunlight is limited, turtles burrow into the mud just below the frost line and slip into a state of decreased metabolism to conserve energy. On warm, sunny days, turtles are triggered by changes and barometric pressure and will emerge to bask in the sunlight and gain energy. Have you seen any turtles yet?! See more

Register today!

Getting ready for Spring? Don't forget to purchase your seedlings at our Annual Fundraiser!

https://www.post-gazette.com//bald-ea/stories/202102240069

Ready for Spring? Order your seedlings today from our Annual Seedling Sale! https://www.naecwpa.org/seedlings2021

NAEC Newsletter - Our 2021 Seedling Sale begins today! https://mailchi.mp/ca5bce46fa48/naec-newsletter-5655854