Summer Camp Fun

 

 

Drop into Hemlock Bluffs on a weekday during summer and all is seemingly quiet.  Few cars in the parking lot and the nature center is quiet, but for a few Moms with little ones playing at the track table in the lobby.  But looks are deceiving.  All summer long all sorts of nature, science and outdoor discovery camps are in full swing.  Stand outside the classroom when the kids are inside - can you hear excited voices engaged while making nature crafts or reviewing the rules of the trail before they head outside?

 

Under a giant log is a good place to search for land salamanders

Walk the trail - can you hear voices rising from the creek as children search for salamanders under rocks and leaves?  Look into the woods where camp kids wander watching the tree canopy bird watching and learning about the connection between insects that live here in summer and neotropical migrant birds who visit in summer to eat them, then return south in winter where it's warm and bugs persist.  Can you hear them saying, "I can see it!".

Remember cooking marshmallow on the campfire?
Oh, that's too close - it'll burn!

Step into the courtyard at the end of the day and you might be treated to the sight of a roaring campfire.  Staff know that kids deserve the entire camp experience, including s'mores on the campfire.  You may even hear a few campfire songs or stories.  It might take you back to the good old days.  Can you hear one kid saying, "look at mine, it's on fire!".

Staff encourages interaction, questions and investigation.
Children leave with a sense of awareness about the natural world they can only
receive in the out-of-doors.

Summer camps provide children with a one-on-one experience with staff, where learning about nature is provided in a safe and nurturing environment.  The goal is to offer nature information in a way that engages kids in a safe and fun way while providing a foundation for stewardship throughout their life.

Summer camp registration begins early in Cary, but some spaces for upcoming camps are still available.  Call the nature center to find out more (919)387-5980.

Compost Demonstration Area at Hemlock Bluffs

 

A very helpful and educational little compost area is located behind the classroom building and across from the entrance to the Children's Nature Trail as you walk toward the courtyard from the parking area when you first arrive at Hemlock Bluffs. 

 

 

Whether you compost at home or not, you'll probably see something new in this area which staff and volunteers have created to use in educating visitors and program participants about compost.  The original area has been in place and has been used by staff for educational and hands-on purposes in the gardens, however a recent upgrade was made by a Girl Scout Gold candidate and her troop, family and soccer team. Several different types of compost bins are available for visitors to see and to observe how compost is actually breaking down.

Recently added, this wire and wood bin is attractive and works very well

The staff's favorite, this slat bin is easy to tend because the slats pop out on one side allowing easy access for turning



This bin, available online, requires little attention

A new experiment this roller type bin spins the compost when you turn it on its glide base

An educational bulletin board and informational brochure are available right on the wall providing pertinent details about composting, its benefits and how it benefits the environment.

Stop by and take a look next time you are at the preserve!

Summer Heat is Basking time for Copperheads

 

 

Keep your eyes open when you visit the Preserve on these hot summer afternoons.  Hot days and cool nights are the time of year copperheads are active in the woods of North Carolina.  If you aren't a keen observer you might not even know you've walked right by one.

 

 

Copperheads are masters of camouflage, they blend into the leaves on the forest floor. You can be walking the trails at Hemlock Bluffs and a copperhead can be right beside the path.  This isn't usually a problem because during the day, copperheads are typically resting, warming in the sun and gathering their energy for a night of hunting small mammals.  If you don't bother them, they won't bother you.

 

However, if you or your dog come across a copperhead and annoy it (by poking it with a stick, or your dog barking at it), the snake will defend itself and may strike.  Copperheads are normally docile unless provoked, they do not like to waste their venom, but every year people and dogs are bitten in NC (it's rarely deadly).

There are copperheads at Hemlock Bluffs, they are a natural part of the ecosystem.  They are a beautiful snake when you think about how well camouflaged they are in their environment.  They help keep the rodent population in check.  If you see a snake of any sort while you are walking, look at it, admire it and leave it alone.  If you give it a wide berth and walk away, it will leave you alone.  Most importantly, keep pets and children away from any snake.  Help by teaching your children to respect animals in nature, even if you are a little afraid.

The Rain Garden at Hemlock Bluffs

Across the courtyard from the steps in front of the classroom building is a lush green vegetative spot where a rain garden has been installed.  A rain garden is designed to route rain water off the roof, through the gutters, into pipes then into a garden which slowly releases the water into the nearby landscape.  In this case, the woods.

 

An educational sign in the garden explains how the rain garden works.

 Designed, constructed and installed by a local Eagle Scout, the rain garden at Hemlock Bluffs collects all the rain water that falls onto the classroom building's roof.  The garden is constructed in such a way that rocks slow the water as it enters the garden and then native plants which typically grow in wet woodlands are planted in the garden to utilize the deposited water.  These native plants can survive in North Carolina's variable weather and rainfall over the years, so they are good choices for a rain garden.

Park Operations Manager, Mark Johns uses the Rain Garden as an example
when he teaches about native plants and wildlife gardening.

Park staff recommended the use of a variety of native plants be placed in the rain garden including; ferns, herbaceous plants, grasses and shrubs. Species diversity is important in the event of disease and pest invasion, and is more attractive to wildlife like birds and butterflies.

Several species of native plants are included in the rain garden to include blooms throughout the growing season.  A few suggested successful rain garden plants are shown below.

Netted Chain Fern

Cardinal Flower

Christmas Fern







Watch the rain garden throughout the year as you visit the nature preserve, it looks different in every season.

Backyard Wildlife Garden at Hemlock Bluffs Nature Preserve

 

Tucked behind the Stevens Nature Center and just off the service road beside the building, you'll find a perfect example of what you can do in your own backyard to create an oasis for native wildlife like; songbirds, butterflies, hummingbirds, a variety of frogs, toads, lizards and beautiful dragonflies.

 

Compact, but creative, the backyard wildlife garden packs a whole lot of habitat into a small space

Experts agree that it's as simple as including the essential habitat components that all wildlife need into your garden; food, water; cover; shelter and a place to raise young.  An easy way to begin in your yard is to focus on attracting songbirds.  As seen in the nature center's "backyard", you can place a birdfeeder (keep it clean and filled with seed), a bird box, a birdbath and if your backyard has a little bit of woods  - Voila'!, you have habitat for birds!

Native plants expand the habitat options for small wildlife.  Native plants supply important nectar and seeds for local songbirds, hummingbirds and butterflies.  They also serve as host plants for butterfly caterpillars. 

Staff at the nature center know to use native NC plants in their gardens (and when and where to plant them).  Not only are they essential host plants for NC's butterfly caterpillars, the nectar is essential to native hummingbirds, and the seeds produced are a valuable seed source to songbirds like goldfinches, housefinches and purple finches. 

 

Bushy plants, like Christmas ferns (among others) serve as cover or shelter for small animals
(like lizards, toads and frogs) in the garden.

Beautifully designed, the nature center's backyard wildlife garden is a place of quiet contemplation.  Staff have developed the garden to attract wildlife, but have kept visitors in mind as well.  The small gate has a hasp on the top inside, and can be opened to allow access.  You are welcome to enter the garden and to sit on the bench to enjoy a moment of reflection and nature study.  Hopefully you'll see the animal residents as you enjoy your time in the garden

The plexi-glass viewing window is designed for children visiting the garden. 
They can look into the garden without disturbing the inhabitants within.
 

As with all the gardens at the nature center, the backyard wildlife garden is an extension of the environmental education programming of the Stevens Nature Center.  It is used extensively as part of the teaching and programming associated with the camps, programs and educational activities offered through the nature center.  Stop by and take a look.  You may get some ideas to take home to your backyard!

The Children's Garden at Hemlock Bluffs

A Handmade sign denotes the Children's Garden

 Located outside the classroom window, where the children can peek out at their creation, the Children's Garden brings color and imagination to the far side of the Stevens Nature Center.  Developed by staff, but planted, painted and potted by kids, the Children's Garden is a collection of garden projects designed to brighten any garden and to bring wildlife to the garden. 

A recycled birdbath becomes a magical life-sized toadstool

Projects include garden art and large-scale projects, such as the toadstool, arbor and the many decorative steppers laid around the edge of the garden and through the garden.  Smaller projects

An elegant arbor is one entrance into the garden

such as the painted flower pots and the toad abodes located around the water garden are favorite projects for the kids to make for the garden.  Most of the perennials planted in the ground in the garden are native NC plants, selected for their wildlife value.  The plants in the containers are chosen for their color, bloom and nectar, for bees, butterflies and hummingbirds.

A little frog bog and many toad abodes

During spring, summer and fall the children in camps, programs and classes help maintain and beautify this garden and learn while they work to help wildlife habitat at Hemlock Bluffs Nature Preserve.

Recycle Garden at Hemlock Bluffs Nature Preserve

 

 

When you visit Hemlock Bluffs, stop by the corner of the courtyard gardens near the far side of the nature center beyond the restrooms.  The staff have created a raised garden using discarded items that otherwise might have been carted off to the landfill.  Buckets, barrels and cans once considered junk are now being reused as planters to beautify this corner of the nature center's gardens.

 

 

Discarded doors separate the garden into an "indoor" side and an "outdoor" side

As you look around the Recycle Garden, you can gather ideas and gaze in wonder at the wonderful creativity of the staff.  See how they have used everyday "cast offs" to embellish this garden.  The staff have been the driving force behind the unique ideas for the containers in the garden.  Many volunteers have helped make the garden a reality.  From Girl Scouts to trail workday volunteers, even preschool volunteers have helped tend this garden.

One of the Preserve's retired wheelbarrows has become a focal point in the Recycle Garden

In some cases, citizens are to thank for the wonderful containers, benches, chairs, buckets, tubs, boots and recycled items in the Recycle Garden.  Folks see the garden, think about what they have in their garage that might augment it and stop by the front desk to offer a donation.  Some really neat items have come into the garden sparked by a conversation at the front desk.

The tire wreath has become a bird's nest wreath!



There is a mix of perennials, ferns, annuals and herbs in the containers in the Recycle Garden.  This is an effort to keep something in the containers year-round.   This also provides a nectar source for bees, butterflies and hummingbirds, as well as host plants for butterfly caterpillars.  Containers take a lot of watering.  The very large rainwater cistern is used for watering, and the littlest watering volunteers - the Wildflower Watering Club are engaged for watering (preschool children and their parents!).

A Girl Scout prepped, painted and planted these colorful tires, easy cheesy!



Stop by the Recycle Garden and take a look at the wonderful  display soon!

Children's Nature Trail at Hemlock Bluffs

Did you know that there is a nature discovery trail created just for little ones at Hemlock Bluffs?

 

 

Just opened last weekend, this trail has elements designed so that preschool children can explore and interact with nature in a fun and safe way.  Over the years, families have requested an area where small children can play and enjoy nature without having to hike the strenuous trails.  The Children's Nature Trail is the answer to this request.

 



The Ribbon Cutting Ceremony on Saturday, June 7th

 Initially designed pro bono by Hager Smith of Raleigh, the trail focuses on providing nature recreation for toddlers, preschool-aged and young elementary aged children.  REI provided funding for the first big elements, the log tunnel and the mushroom steppers.  It wasn't long before other funders came on board, like Jandy Ammons, who provided funding for the turtle steppers.



I'm Hiding Inside the Log Tunnel

A Family Enjoying the Balance Log Together

The End of the Road, No More Turtle Steppers

 Come visit the preserve and check out the trail.  No doubt there'll be a child out there having fun!

 Come out to Hemlock Bluffs Nature Preserve and take a walk.  When it's hot out at your house it's a little cooler in the shady woods of the nature preserve.  So, plan a hike to beat the heat.

When you park in the parking lot, take a moment to look between the upper and lower parking areas.  On the hillside between the two lots, there is a planting of native wildflowers including: stokes' asters, butterfly milkweed, purple coneflower and more.  These flowers not only look beautiful, they provide nectar or bees and butterflies, then when they go to seed they provide food for songbirds.

As you walk onto the trails from the courtyard, you'll go under a large wooden arbor.  It is covered in the bright red blooms of our native coral honeysuckle.  If you're lucky you may get buzzed by a ruby throated hummingbird.  Coral honeysuckle is a favorite nectar source for our native hummingbird.

The woods are lush and green now a great hiding place for daytime animals, like lizards and squirrels who are trying to stay cool.  Walk the Swift Creek Loop Trail and look for the recently spent blooms on Galax plants as you descend the large staircase.

The stairs are also a great place to keep an eye out for chewed nuts or pinecones on the handrails....evidence squirrels have had a meal.

Enjoy your walk at Hemlock Bluffs Nature Preserve today!