Follow the Trail with Bill Reid,
The Last Green Valley's Chief Ranger
Bluebird numbers on the rise
“When Nature made the bluebird she wished to propitiate both the sky and the earth, so she gave him the color of the one on his back and the hue of the other on his breast, and ordained that his appearance in the spring should…
Exploring the final resting places of historically interesting people
The Last Green Valley National Heritage Corridor was home to many fascinating people. Some are well known throughout the state and country for their roles in government, business and the military. Others are known to us for their writing, art and activism. There are others…
First days of summer bring backyard blooms and bugs
The first day of summer 2020 saw temperatures reaching the high-80s. A perfect, hot, lazy Saturday to stay home, tend to outdoor chores and enjoy the emerging signs of the season. Sunup to sundown found me doing some form of yard and garden work with…
A Rare Snake Sighting: The Northern Black Racer
Last week I was out walking the boundary line of our back pasture. I had our dog, Russell, with me, and we were along the edge of the field where brush and small saplings have sprouted in an area of about six feet or more…
A Morning Birthday Walk
The older I get the less birthdays mean to me. All I wish for is a quiet day, a meal with my wife and a few friends and time for contemplation. The kids and siblings will call, and I will sing along as my sister…
Exploring Joshua’s Trust Allanach-Wolf and Tinkerville Brook Properties
If you are a regular reader of this column you know I’ve been visiting land trust properties in The Last Green Valley National Heritage Corridor this spring. I’ve shared some of my finds already. Today I want to tell you about two properties owned by…
We’re seeing more and more ospreys take flight
“The habits of this famed bird differ so materially from those of almost all others of its tribe that an accurate description of them cannot fail to be interesting to the student of nature.” John James Audubon I’ll never forget the first time I saw…
Exploring trails less traveled with Avalonia Land Conservancy
For the past several weeks I have been exploring land trust properties throughout The Last Green Valley National Heritage Corridor. I’ve shared some of those experiences in previous columns. Today I want to share with you two Avalonia Land Conservancy preserves. Founded in 1968, Avalonia’s…
Local farms are a good source for all kinds of food
We are living in challenging times. We are getting pretty good at practicing social distancing and used to wearing protective masks when in public. I do look forward to a time when things slowly return to normal. The one store we have had to visit…
Exploring Pollinator Pathways in The Last Green Valley
I’ve been thinking about pollinators a lot lately. Regular readers of this column know I’ve planned and planted a pollinator garden in my own yard. But I also know there is so much more to learn about pollinators, so I was pleased to see the…
Exploring the Many Colors of Spring Time
April was a month of exploration for me. Despite the chilly temperatures and frequent dreary, rainy days I found plenty of time to get out in the great outdoors of The Last Green Valley National Heritage Corridor. I took the time to explore wooded trails…
Every Month is Earth Month: Make a Start to Make a Difference
April is Earth Month in The Last Green Valley, and to honor the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day, I wanted to give you some more ways you can celebrate and support the goals of Earth Day – not just this month, but throughout the year.…