If you want to know more about toads there are some good links on the web.

From the Davidson College Herpetology Lab.

Another good website about frogs and toads.

How many different oaks can you identify? Can you identify a Sweetgum, an American Beech, an Elm, a Tulip Poplar or an Eastern Red Cedar? Help us with our project to learn to recognize these trees and know about their value.

Below are some useful links for you to use to learn more about trees in our area.

Will Cook’s website has a lot of nature information and links to more about wild things in North Carolina.

More photos and links about wild things in North Carolina

A link to the Forest Service’s page about champion big trees.

Andrew is working toward his Eagle Scout, assisted by two fellow Scouts, Adam Brown and John Wacker.  On Friday, April 13^th the group of Scouts worked on a project at the Sterling Martin Nature Preserve (formerly Lake Davidson Nature Preserve) to build wooden racks to store kayaks and canoes off the ground, near a safe put-in spot on the lake.  Sterling Martin and Joe Grooms guided the Scouts.

The project involved a lot of hard work, and required several people and a large selection of equipment and tools.  After assembling the wood pieces, the work began to clear the ground and dig the postholes.  The group cleared a space by removing a dead tree and some ground cover, drilling 2-foot postholes, and then setting up the racks.  Sterling Martin’s trusty loader backhoe, a pneumatic shovel, a chainsaw, and an array of additional shovels and saws helped the work along.

The Nature Preserve already has an existing kayak storage rack, but the popularity of the local kayaking and canoeing spot has created a great need for additional racks.  Prior to the additional racks being added there were a dozen or more kayaks and canoes resting on the ground by the water, chained to trees.

Beginning in July, the expanded kayak storage area will be overseen by the County Park and Recreation department.  Park and Rec will devise a system for reserving rack spaces for individual users.  In addition to adding the new racks, the Scouts are putting stickers on the kayaks and canoes that are currently chained to trees, to let owners know about the new Parks and Recs policies that will go into effect this summer.

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Photographs of group working on clearing and setting up kayak racks near Lake Davidson.  Stay tuned for more photos of the finished project.

A large crowd of wine, craft beer and art enthusiasts attended Toast the Earth, a wine and beer tasting and art exhibition for the benefit of the Davidson Lands Conservancy, on Friday, April 13th.  The third annual Toast the Earth event was held at the Homewood Suites by Hilton® in Davidson.

Directions from I-77, exit 30:  At the Griffith St roundabout by Rushco Oil turn right onto Davidson Gateway Dr.  Take the first right onto Davidson Gateway Ct.  Turn left onto Lake Cornelius Blvd.  There is a footpath that will take you to the shoreline of Lake Cornelius.

Bring: Gloves, shoes to get muddy, long pants, long sleeves, and, if available, canoe, kayak, or paddleboard.

The Clean-up is supported by SUP (Stand UP Paddle), Habitat for Humanity, Lake Norman Wildlife Conservationists, United By Blue, Advanced Disposal, and the Davidson Lands Conservancy.

Nearly every species of amphibian that has been found in Mecklenburg County has been documented here. There is also a population of beavers at the site.

The walking path (not handicapped-accessible) was constructed with a grant from the Carolina Thread Trail and connects to the southern end of Davidson’s West Branch Greenway.  Our hike will be about 2 miles and should last for three hours.

Our tour is scheduled for Saturday, May 19, at 2:00 PM and advance registration is required. Minimum age is 6 years and anyone under 14 must be accompanied by an adult. To sign up, please register by clicking here.  Directions and other details will be sent to those registered.

We look forward to seeing you on the 19th of May.

While some may think they’re cute (my 7 year old daughter calls them “Joeys”), what they can do to a tree is anything but pretty.  They can nearly defoliate a tree, and after a few seasons of cankerworms a tree can be weakened to the point of dying.

Banding trees is one of the most effective methods of controlling cankerworms.  It’s too late to band trees and control the current infestation, but next year’s crop can be reduced if trees are banded this fall.

The Davidson Lands Conservancy is interested in banding trees this fall, both to help support our tree canopy and also as a fundraiser.  We’d like to get your feedback about your experience with cankerworms, and if you’d be interested in such a project.  Please take a minute to complete this brief survey.  Your input is greatly appreciated!

Wonderful to be outdoors in the summertime, going for a hike in the wetlands, on the greenway or even strolling in your backyard. One of the hazzards you may encounter is Poison Ivy (Toxicodendron radicans) . Fifty percent of the population is allergic to this plant. Contact with the sap causes painful, irritating rash in those who are sensitive. All parts of the plant contain the oily mixture and even brushing against the plant can release the sap which binds with the skin and produces the rash. Washing soon after contact can help avoid the rash. But, avoiding contact with the plant is the best approach. Learning to recognize this plant is important. The picture above is Poison Ivy in it’s trailing form.

It also can form a vine up a tree easily recognized because it has a very hairy vine. Even in winter when the leaves have been shed you should look for the hairy vine on the trees and avoid them if you are sensitive.

Another plant sometimes mistaken for Poison Ivy is Virginia Creeper. Notice in the picture above that it has five leaves in a cluster instead of three. And the vine is not hairy.

Blackberries have three leaf clusters as well, but they have briars. Briars are painful if you get snared by them but don’t cause a rash like Poison Ivy.

So, even though it’s hot outdoors, if you plan to go hiking in places with a lot of undergrowth you should wear long pants, shoes and socks and even a light weight long sleeved shirt to be on the safe side. When you get home take a shower, not a bath, to remove any traces of the Poison Ivy sap. You should also wash the clothes you wore in hot water with detergent.

Now, get outside and enjoy yourself!

The Mecklenburg County BBA is part of a nationwide effort to determine where birds breed and in what concentration.  The current Meck Co survey is a three-year project that started in 2011.  Volunteers from around the county are assigned blocks of approximately 10 square miles each.  The volunteers visit the blocks throughout the breeding season and attempt to verify what species are breeding there through observation of nests, young or other means.  I am monitoring two blocks in the Davidson area.  They include Fisher Farm Park and Abersham.  I spend the majority of my time in my blocks in areas like FFP, Abersham, West Branch Nature Preserve, greenways, etc. as would be expected –the large, protected natural areas are where you find the most birds and the most diversity.

Don Seriff of the Mecklenburg County Conservation Science Office adds:

We want to announce the official start of the second year of the three-year Mecklenburg County – Breeding Bird Atlas (BBA).  This effort is a joint partnership between Mecklenburg Audubon Society, Mecklenburg County’s Natural Resources Program, and the U.S.G.S. Patuxent Wildlife Research Center.  The project is also sponsored by the Carolina Bird Club.  Over 100 participants from 8 different counties assisted in providing records in 2011!

If you would like to go on the Bird Walk on April 21 please send an email to Erin at dlc.wow@gmail.com.  You will need to register for this walk.  Location information will be given to those who register.

Co-Sponsored by

Davidson Lands Conservancy and Woodland Discovery

World of Wonder (WOW) is a free nature discovery program for children with their families.

 DAVIDSON FARMER’S MARKET, Saturday, March 24, 9am to 11:30am:  WOW and Lilly Vicens, Youth Activities Coordinator of Lake Norman Wildlife Conservationists will hold a fairy house booth in support of the World of Wonder program for children during National Wildlife Week.

Fairy houses are tiny structures children can build out of natural materials such as moss, sticks, bark and dried flowers, especially for fairies and gnomes. These houses incorporate the four elements that sustain wildlife in a Certified Backyard Habitat – food, water, shelter and places to raise young. Fairy houses are a fun way to connect children with nature. Information and signup sheets for adults will also be available at the booth for wildlife habitat enhancement projects such as button bush planting and platform nest building, as well as how to certify your own property as a wildlife habitat. LNWC is a chapter of the NC Wildlife Federation whose mission is “to protect and enhance the natural resources and wildlife habitats of the greater Lake Norman area for all to enjoy.”

We hope to see you at the Market this Saturday!