The Dirt Blog

North Carolina and the National Scenic Byways

November 21, 2013

We all have vivid memories of drives we have taken. Family trips, cross-country excursions, or just local exploring reveal natural places we could never have imagined. North Carolina was featured in a USA Today destination article on scenic drives to explore whenever the adventuresome spirit strikes: “In a state where the Blue Ridge Parkway showcases […]

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It’s Great to Live in North Carolina … for Oh, so Many Reasons!

November 15, 2013

North Carolina is taking a leadership role in the local food movement through its wide participation in the “Farm to School” food program. According to an article from Asheville’s Citizen-Times, 73 out of the 115 districts, which includes almost 1 million students, have participated in some form of farm-to-school program or activity. Of states from […]

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Autocopters Bringing a Whole New Vision to Citizen Science

November 7, 2013

Autocopters are changing the way scientists and citizen scientists collect data. Hovering above the treetops, these “spiderlike” machines are able to take a series of photos of foliage and flowers at close range, writes Wynne Parry in an article featured in Scientific American. While satellite images and “aircraft-borne scans” have been available in the past, […]

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Make Your Own Delicious Pumpkin Soup

November 5, 2013

Recipe courtesy of Kathleen Zambello With the cold weather setting it we all are feeling the need for something warm and toasty. November is the perfect time to carve out those remaining pumpkins and cook up some pumpkin soup! Ingredients: 2 tablespoons oil 1 large apple, peeled and sliced 1-2 teaspoons curry powder, according to […]

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Mother Nature’s TLC … A Calming Effect for All Ages

October 31, 2013

Ladies and gentlemen, and especially ladies, this one is for you. A new study has found that green spaces reduce stress levels, especially in women. This reduced stress could account for past research that suggests green space “leads to lower blood pressure, better mental health, and reduced risks of being overweight or dying from heart […]

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A Birding I Will Go

October 28, 2013

I stepped out of my car, my boots crunching on the fall leaves in the small parking area of Triangle Land Conservancy’s Swift Creek Bluffs Nature Preserve. It was just after noon on a sunny Sunday, and I was ready for a walk in the woods. I even had a snack-size Snickers bar in my […]

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