The Dirt Blog

Beginning My New Job at TLC

June 24, 2014

by Kyle Obermiller The alarm sounded at 6:45 on a cool Monday morning on the 19th of May. It was hard to believe a mere week before, my friends and family gathered at PNC Arena for NC State’s 2014 graduation ceremony. I knew I could walk with pride knowing my future would start just nine […]

Read More

Local Food and Farmers’ Markets: Digging into my CSA

June 19, 2014

Photo courtesy of http://www.publicdomainpictures.net/view-image.php?image=10746&picture=red-radish It’s finally here! I walked into my apartment last night bearing a particularly leafy prize: the first installment of my Duke Campus Farm CSA. In moments radishes, beans, and lettuces adorned my countertop, providing me with fresh, healthy, and local food. CSAs, or Community Supported Agriculture, are growing in popularity throughout […]

Read More

Fun, Safe, and Sustainable Camping this Season

June 12, 2014

Photo courtesy of http://www.publicdomainpictures.net/view-image.php?image=24359&picture=campers As the summer camping season comes into full swing, we wanted to share some quick tips– courtesy of Trail Sherpa and the Environmental News Network (ENN)– that will make your outdoor adventure both fun and sustainable. First, we know buying equipment can be overwhelming. What type of tent is best? What […]

Read More

Local Food and Farmers’ Markets: The Tastes and Sounds of NC Fresh Catch

June 2, 2014

Photo courtesy of http://www.publicdomainpictures.net/view-image.php?image=28021&picture=clam-shells What could be better than sustainable, local produce? Celebrating it with music and art! That’s the mission of NC Fresh Catch, “a statewide concert series promoting the richness of North Carolina’s natural and creative resources,” and the subject of our newest installment of “Local Food and Farmers' Markets.” The festival includes […]

Read More

Creating Partnerships to Save the Rare Georgia Aster

May 31, 2014

Photo courtesy of http://www.publicdomainpictures.net/view-image.php?image=6271&picture=pink-aster-blooms In a world where the sad and scary news stories vastly outnumber those that are optimistic, a unique partnership keeps a beautiful flower species, the Georgia aster, from going extinct. Unlike many other rare species, this flower is not being protected by the Endangered Species Act (ESA). “Instead,” writes John Platt […]

Read More

Exploring Horton Grove Nature Preserve

May 27, 2014

I couldn’t believe how many birds were singing. I had arrived at Horton Grove a little past 9 a.m., and I stood, camera in hand, scanning the field in front of me. The grass was green and waving slightly in the breeze, dotted here and there with fully leafed-out trees. A few clouds skirted the […]

Read More

The Triangle’s First Solar Farm

May 22, 2014

Photo courtesy of http://www.publicdomainpictures.net/view-image.php?image=3058 The Triangle now has its first solar farm! Strata Solar, based in Chapel Hill, finished its 43-acre solar panel farm in Rougement last week, which will create enough power for 750 homes. What is a solar farm? The idea is simple. Build a large array of solar panels and create energy […]

Read More

Local Food and Farmers’ Markets: Durham Farmers’ Market

May 16, 2014

Welcome to TLC’s summer blog series, “Local Food and Farmers’ Markets!” Each week we will take a closer look at local farms, farmers’ markets, and innovative food systems around the Triangle. This week features the Durham Farmers’ Market. Located at 501 Foster Street, the Durham Farmers’ Market was founded in 1998 and has grown to […]

Read More

Parents around the World Agree that Nature is Important

May 15, 2014

The Nature Conservancy has teamed up with Disney to disseminate a global survey to parents asking about the importance of nature to kids around the world. The results and the reality are surprising. What’s not surprising is the level of importance parents place on nature for their kids. 82% see “spending time in nature as […]

Read More

Find a TLC Nature Preserve Near You