Follow the Trail with Bill Reid,
The Last Green Valley's Chief Ranger
Share adventures with our future nature stewards
“If a child is to keep alive his inborn sense of wonder, he [or she] needs the companionship of at least one adult who can share it, rediscovering the joy, excitement, and mystery of the world we live in.” Rachael Carson, “The Sense of Wonder”…
Dedicate yourself to make a difference in nature
“The Solstice past, the year tends toward Spring. But you would never know it. The old saying, ‘days lengthen, cold strengthens’ is proved in January.” – Hal Borland, “Beyond Your Doorstep: A Handbook to the Country” Last week I introduced ideas for making a difference…
Dedicate yourself to making a difference in nature
“You cannot get through a single day without having an impact on the world around you. What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.” Jane Goodall Jane Goodhall has been one of my heroes…
Painted turtle has interesting way of surviving winter
Winter arrived Friday and Monday is Christmas Eve. While we’ll be snug in our beds, anxiously waiting for Santa to arrive, the season of ice and snow can be quite different for wild animals, especially our region’s reptiles and amphibians. I had not really thought…
Healthy, fresh food still found at winter farmers markets
In the past 10 years, The Last Green Valley National Heritage Corridor has seen a dramatic increase in the number of farmers markets, as well as a greater number of vendors and variety of products available. From any town within the National Heritage Corridor, a…
Majestic white pine green all winter
Winter is the time of the pine here in The Last Green Valley National Heritage Corridor. Pines and other conifers make up only 12 percent of the tree species in the region and for most of the year, deciduous oak, hickory, maple and birch trees…
December is no reason to stay inside
The morning of Nov. 16 we awoke to several inches of snow on the ground. By Thanksgiving week, green grass was visible again with the storm’s remainder slowly melting in piles at roadside edges and parking lots. Accumulated snow in November is a rare occurrence,…
A night with saw-whet owl an enlightening experience
I snapped on my headlamp as we approached a small grove of pine and hemlock trees. We had parked our cars along the edge of a hillside field and trudged about 100 yards toward the dark woods. A sliver of moon sat on the horizon,…
Remember our region’s veterans and their sacrifices
On the 11th hour, of the 11th day, of the 11th month 100 years ago, the hostilities of World War I ended. Originally called Armistice Day, today is Veterans Day, our national holiday to honor U.S. veterans and casualties of all wars. Veterans Day is always…
Can’t Miss the Signs of November
A couple of weeks ago I did the one act signifying I am finally resigned to the change of seasons. I did the unthinkable for mid-October and turned on the heat in the house. Any self-respecting Yankee knows Nov. 1 is the start of heating…
Pine Cone-Hoarding Red Squirrel Keeps Its Eyes On You
“There is something very human in this apparent mirth and mockery of the squirrels. It seems to be a sort of ironical laughter and implies self-conscious pride and exultation in the laughter.” From “Squirrels and Other Fur-Bearers” by John Burroughs It was one of those glorious…
Invading House Sparrow Threatens Bluebird
For the past few years I have used this column to focus on several invasive plant and insect species that are having a negative impact on our forests and fields. These invaders thrive here, in part because they inhabit an environment free of natural predators…