The Dirt Blog

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, […]

Read More

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 […]

Read More

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 […]

Read More

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 […]

Read More

Four Hours in the Triangle

October 25, 2013

Photo used courtesy of http://kitchenchapelhill.com/. Take a trip to Johnston Mill Nature Preserve this weekend, winding your way around streams, woods, and ruins over two centuries old. After exploring the miles of trails at the 296 acre preserve, hop in the car for a short ten minute drive to Kitchen Beer and Wine, a farm-to-table […]

Read More

“Power Shift” Conference Attracts Thousands to Pittsburgh

October 24, 2013

“In the past, the environmental movement has been upper-middle class, white male. I’m really excited that it’s getting more inclusive” – Erica Thames In a concerted effort to broaden the diversity of the environmental movement, thousands of environmentalists met in Pittsburg for the “Power Shift” conference, which included some not-so-traditional sessions, such as “Racism and […]

Read More

Late Fall at Temple Flat Rock

February 7, 2013

It was a beautiful clear day when we visited.  The sunlight lit up the fluffy seed heads and dry grasses in the field.  We visited the new native plants — planted thanks to Raleigh Charter High School.  They look healthy and settled, so we’ll keep our fingers crossed! The granite rock faces were surprisingly green […]

Read More

Check TLC’s new i-phone app for Swift Creek Nature Preserve in Wake County!

August 24, 2012

Looking for a backyard escape this weekend?  Check out TLC’s new free i-phone app for Swift Creek Bluffs Nature Preserve in Wake County.  TLC has just released its third trek in a series that provides “more to explore” for visitors of all ages with beautiful hi-resolution images of plants and animals, streaming video/audio, GPS mapping […]

Read More

Find a TLC Nature Preserve Near You