Outdoor Elements


SEASON 2

	Episode 213 Hands-On Nature Topic: Fun with Fungi Nature Nuggets: Most mushrooms contain at least 13 million spores, however giant puffball mushrooms contain at least 7 trillion spores. Pete Stobie, Outreach Interpreter Kalamazoo Nature Center 7000 North Westnedge Avenue Kalamazoo, Michigan 49009 (269) 381-1574 Website: www.naturecenter.org Creatures and Features Topic: Marsh Mallow Man: The Wetland Sleuth Nature Nuggets: Indiana had an estimated 5.6 million acres of wetlands when European settlers arrived. Today only 813,000 acres of wetland remain, which means only 13% of Indiana's original wetlands are left. Wil Reding, Naturalist Rent-a-Rambling Naturalist 1811 W C Avenue Kalamazoo, MI 49009 (616)343-1886 (800)746-1458 Website: http://www.rentaramblingnaturalist.ws/ Begin in Your Backyard Topic: I want to be a Park Interpreter? Nature Nuggets: Park interpreters present programs that share the unique stories of the places that they work such as natural areas and historic sites. But they wear many other hats too such as exhibit designer, natural/cultural resource specialist, P.R. specialist, a technologist, a fund raiser and much more! Sarah Reding, Director, Great Lakes Region of National Association for Interpretation 1811 W C Avenue Kalamazoo, MI 49009 (616)343-1886 Website: http://www.interpnet.com/home.htm back to top Episode 212 Hands-On Nature Topic: Intro to Taxidermy Nature Nuggets: In order to salvage or collect specimens for educational purposes (schools, nature centers, museums) a collection permit is required from the DNR. Michaele Klingerman, Park Interpreter St. Joseph County Parks 32132 SR 2 New Carlisle, IN 46552 574-654-3155 Website: www.sjcparks.org Creatures and Features Topic: Natural history of the St. Joe River Valley Nature Nuggets: As glaciers shift and change the face of the earth, they delicately support some of the tiniest creatures alive: glacier fleas and ice worms. Garry Harrington, Interpretive Naturalist Rum Village Nature Center 2626 S. Gertrude South Bend, IN 46614 574-235-9455 Begin in Your Backyard Topic: Ozone Action Days Nature Nuggets: Remember the following phrase when an ozone action day goes into effect, "Good up high, bad nearby". Erin LaCourt MACOG 227 W Jefferson Rm 1120 South Bend, IN 46601 574-287-1829 Website: www.macog.com back to top Episode 211 Hands-On Nature Topic: Fun with Insects Nature Nuggets: Most people learn to fear insects from others. But we can't live without them! Insects play a large role in pollinating plants, providing food for animals and cleaning up decaying material. Jason Mumaw Creatures and Features Topic: Scat is Where it's At! Nature Nuggets: Scat, droppings, poop. It may sound disgusting, however, the study of "scatology" provides information on animal diet and the conditions of its surroundings. Maria Peacock Interpretive Services Manager St. Joseph County Parks 32132 SR 2 New Carlisle, IN 46552 (574) 277-4828 Website: www.sjcparks.org Begin in Your Backyard Topic: Biking Helps, Too! Nature Nuggets: Bicycling reduces water pollution (many people don't realize that motor vehicles are a significant source of water pollution as well as air pollution). And bikes are quiet, so they don't contribute to noise pollution. Sara Slayton Elkhart Envirocorps 1201 S. Nappanee ST Elkhart, IN 46516 574-273-2572 back to top Episode 210 Hands-On Nature Topic: Optics for Observing Nature Nature Nuggets: Using binoculars takes practice. Try them first on stationary objects such as signs or towers. Then practice with moving objects such as cars or airplanes. Kip Miller Chief Naturalist Berrien County Parks 9228 Huckleberry Rd Berrien Center, MI 49102 269-471-2617 Website: www.berriencounty.org/parks Creatures and Features Topic: All About Feathers Nature Nuggets: Some nestlings wear fluffy down feathers, but the first coat of true feathers, which grow in before the bird leaves the nest, is called juvenile plumage. Wendy Jones Interpretive Naturalist Fernwood Botanic Gardens and Nature Preserve 1720 Rangeline Road Niles, MI 49120 269-695-6491 Website: www.fernwoodbotanical.org Begin in Your Backyard Topic: Hybrid Cars for Cleaner Air Nature Nuggets: Selecting a fuel-efficient vehicle improves the quality of the air and helps your budget. The difference between a car that gets 20 MPG and one that gets 30 MPG amounts to $1,500 over 5 years. (Assuming a fuel cost of $1.50 per gallon and 15,000 miles per year.) Tom Breeden Sales Manager Jordan Toyota 609 E Jefferson Blvd Mishawaka, IN 46545 800-837-1981 Website: http://www.jordanauto.com/newcar/toyota/index.html back to top Episode 209 Hands-On Nature Topic: Wind Toys Wind Sticks Mini Kite Nature Nuggets: The fastest wind ever measured on Earth is 318 mph, clocked inside a tornado in Oklahoma in 1999. The fastest non-tornado speed ever measured is 231 mph taken at Mt. Washington in New Hampshire in 1934. Maria Peacock Interpretive Services Manager St. Joseph County Parks New Carlisle, In 574-277-4828 Website: www.sjcparks.org Creatures and Features Topic: Grain Moths Guano Drop Cookies Nature Nuggets: There may be up to five generations of grain mothseach year, with females from each generation laying as many as 300 eggs. John Jenny Mill Manager Bonneyville Mill County Park Bristol, IN 574-825-9324 Website: www.elkhartcountyparks.org Begin in Your Backyard Topic: Chronic Wasting Disease CWD Fact Sheet Nature Nuggets: In 16 years of surveillance in infected areas of western United States, there has been no evidence of chronic wasting disease affecting any species other than deer and elk. Tim Cordell Interpretive Naturalist Potato Creek State Park North Liberty, IN (574) 656.8186 Website: www.state.in.us/dnr/parklake/parks/potatocreek back to top Episode 208 Hands-On Nature Topic: Track It! Track Goop Nature Nuggets: An opossum's front toes spread out when the animal puts weight on its front foot causing the five toes to go out in five different directions. That makes the front track look star-shaped. Leslie Witkowski Park Interpreter St. Joseph County Parks New Carlisle, In Website: www.scjparks.org Creatures and Features Topic: Poisonous Berries Nature Nuggets: Poison ivy grows white berries that are edible for birds to eat, but NOT humans. If you see wildlife consuming berries in the wild, DO NOT assume they are safe for humans to eat too! Andy Langdon Interpretive Naturalist Elkhart County Parks Goshen, IN (574) 875.7422 Website: www.elkhartcountyparks.org Begin in Your Backyard Topic: Low Impact Cleaning Ideas Low Impact Household Cleaners Nature Nuggets: To sweeten drains and grimy garbage disposals, pour baking soda down the drain while running warm tap water. Baking soda will neutralize both acidic and basic odors for a fresh smelling drain! Heidi Gray Interpretive Naturalist Fernwood Botanical Gardens and Nature Center Niles, MI 269/695-6491 Website: http://www.fernwoodbotanical.org/ back to top Episode 207 Hands-On Nature Topic: Backyard Weather stations Nature Nuggets: The 23.5 degree tilt of the Earth's axis causes the hemispheres to be at different angles to the sun at various times of the year. In winter the Earth is actually closer to the sun, but due to the tilt our temperatures are cooler. Mike Sabones Meteorologist in Charge NOAA Syracuse, IN 574-834-1104 Website: www.crh.moaa.gov/iwx Creatures and Features Topic: Squirrels, Love "em or Leave "em Nature Nuggets: Squirrels have the unique ability to see above, below, and behind them without moving their heads but cannot see straight ahead because of the position of their eyes. Michaele Klingerman, Park Intrepreter St. Joseph County Parks New Carlisle, In Website: www.sjcparks.org Begin in Your Backyard Topic: Pre-cycling Nature Nuggets: Do you know how long it takes for items to decompose? GLASS BOTTLE.....1 MILLION YEARS ALUMINUM CAN..80-100 years PLASTIC BAG....10-20 years LEATHER......50 years CIGARETTE BUTT...1-5 years Cathy Hines Elkhart Environmental Center Elkhart IN (574) 293.5070 Website: http://business.michiana.org/elkhart/eechome back to top Episode 206 Hands-On Nature Topic: Geocaching Nature Nuggets: The first geocache was hidden on May 3, 2000 outside of Portland, Oregon - in celebration of the government removing Selective Availability of GPS satellite signals to make them available for civilian use. Kathy Schwenk Leisure Services Manager St. Joseph County Parks 50651 Laurel Road South Bend, IN 46637 574-277-4828 Website: www.scjparks.org Geocaching info site (for web page) Website: www.geocaching.com Creatures and Features Topic: Fish of the St. Joe River Nature Nuggets: Freshwater jellyfish can be found in late summer in our local waterways of Indiana. They are harmless, often detected in water of high quality, and are about the size of a dime or a nickel. Joe Foy Aquatic Biologist 1201 S Nappanee Elkhart IN 46516 574-293-2572 Begin in Your Backyard Topic: Be Fire Wise! Nature Nuggets: Smokey's proper name is Smokey Bear. A "the" (as in Smokey the Bear) was added in a popular song from 1952 to help the rhythm of the song, and has caused confusion ever since. Micah Bell Fire Prevention Officer Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore 1100 N Mineral Springs Rd Porter IN 46304 back to top Episode 205 Hands-On Nature Topic: Leaf I.D. Tree ID Nature Nuggets: Simple or compound? Look for a bud at the base of a leaf. If there is one leaf above it, it's a simple leaf. If there are several leaflets, it's a compound leaf. Scott Beam Interpretive Naturalist LaGrange County Parks 114 W. Michigan LaGrange, IN 46761 260-463-4022 Creatures and Features Topic: Katydid: Katydidn't! Nature Nuggets: Snowy Tree Crickets can determine air temperature. By counting these chirps, they can be plugged into a simple equation to calculate the temperature! Bill Westrate Entomologist 21406 McKenzie St Cassopolis, MI 49031 Begin in Your Backyard Topic: Nuisance Wildlife Tips Nature Nuggets: Stop pesky chipmunks from digging up your favorite flowers try sprinkling human hair around the base of plants. Rick Glassman Environmental Education Coordinator St. Joseph County Soil and Water Conservation District 5605 US 31 S-Suite 4 South Bend, IN 46614 574-291-2300 Website: www.iaswcd.org back to top Episode 204 Hands-On Nature Topic: Simple Nature Photography Tips Nature Nuggets: Some of the most common problems with photography are the simplest to cure. Always remember to remove the lens cap and be sure your fingers and the camera strap are not blocking the lens. Jan Ferris freelance writer/photographer Michigan Outdoor Writers Association PO Box 531 Buchanan, MI 49107 269-695-1201 Website: http://geocities.com/sistersoftheearth Creatures and Features Topic: What's a Woolly Bear? Nature Nuggets: Woolly bear caterpillars: Legend says the length of the bands in the fall foretell the severity of the coming winter. Actually, color variations are due to the caterpillar's age. Pat Underwood Interpretive Naturalist Berrien County Parks 9228 Huckleberry Rd Berrien Center, Mi 49102 616-471-2617 www.berriencounty.org/parks Begin in Your Backyard Topic: Planting with Natives Native Indiana Plants Nature Nuggets: There are over 85 species of goldenrod. Goldenrod is often blamed for fall allergies but the real culprit is ragweed. Goldenrod pollen is transported by insects, not wind. Paul Steury Education Director Merry Lea Environmental Center PO Box 263 Wolf Lake, IN 46796 260-799-5869 Website: www.goshen.edu/merrylea back to top Episode 203 Hands-On Nature Topic: Make a Pop Can Fishing Reel How To Make a Fishing Reel Nature Nuggets: According to a US Fish and Wildlife Service survey, anglers in the US spent 35.6 billion dollars on fishing in 2001. Courtney Franke Interpretive Naturalist Elkhart County Parks 211 W Lincoln Ave Goshen IN 46526 574-875-7422 Website: www.elkhartcountyparks.org Creatures and Features Topic: The Mystery of Silkworm Moths Nature Nuggets: A luna moth is born without a mouth; it never eats or drinks. Vince Gresham Park Interpreter St. Joseph County Parks 32132 SR 2 New Carlisle IN 46552 574-654-3155 Website: www.sjcparks.org Begin in Your Backyard Topic: Organic Lawn Care Nature Nuggets: A healthy 10,000 square foot lawn may contain as many as 8.5 million plants. Craig Fritts Child's Play Organic Lawns 1240 Larkspur Lane Niles, MI 49120 269-687-7343 Website: www.audubon.org/bird/at_home/rethink_lawn back to top Episode 202 Hands-On Nature Topic: Build an Edible Terrarium Making Edible Terrarium Nature Nuggets: Terrariums function as mini-ecosystems. They need air, water and sunlight to function. They usually fail when given too much water. Leslie Witkowski St. Joseph County Parks 32132 SR 2 New Carlisle, Indiana 46552 574.654.3155 Website: www.sjcparks.org Creatures and Features Topic: A Natural History of the Chicago region Nature Nuggets: Lake Michigan gets its name from the Algonquin word "michigami" or "misschiganin" meaning "Big Lake." It is the third largest of the five Great Lakes and the only one wholly within the United States. Joel Greenberg, author/naturalist 3926 North Washington Westmont, Illinois 60559-1114 ONLY NAME and link to web ON WEBSITE Email: ckerchmart@earthlink.net A Natural History of the Chicago Region The University of Chicago Press ISBN 0-226-30648-8 Website: www.press.uchicago.edu/Misc/Chicago/306488.html Begin in Your Backyard Topic: Purple Loosestrife Nature Nuggets: Each mature purple loosestrife plant can produce over two million seeds annually. This aids it in out-competing beneficial, native wetland vegetation. Nate Fuller Stewardship Specialist Southwest Michigan Land Conservatory 6851 Sprinkle Road Portage, Michigan 49002 269.324.1600 Website: www.swmlc.org Purple Loosestrife Project at MSU Website: http://www.miseagrant.org/pp/ Purdue University: 4H clubs Website: http://sgnis.org/publicat/sicmb112.htm Michigan Invasive Plants Council Website: http://www.msue.msu.edu/mipc/ TNC's general invasive species web page Website: http://tncweeds.ucdavis.edu/links.html The Nature Conservancy's Weed Control methods of specific plants Website: http://tncweeds.ucdavis.edu/esadocs.html back to top Episode 201 Hands-On Nature Topic: Sumac Tea Making Sumac Tea Nature Nuggets: Black ink can be made from boiled leaves and fruit of Staghorn Sumac because it’s rich in tannin. Tim Cordell Interpretive Naturalist Potato Creek State Park PO Box 908 North Liberty, Indiana 46544 574.656.8186 Website: www.state.in.us/dnr/parklake/parks/potatocreek.html Creatures and Features Topic: Prairie Plant Folklore Nature Nuggets: Prairies are fire-dependent communities. Without fire, trees and shrubs would start to invade the ecosystem, killing prairie plants with their shade. Ronda DeCaire Environmental Education Director Elkhart Environmental Center City of Elkhart 1717 East Lusher Elkhart, Indiana 46516 574.293.5070 Website: http://business.michiana.org/elkhart/eechome.html Begin in Your Backyard Topic: Ozone Action Days: What Are They? Nature Nuggets: Trees can help settle out, trap and hold small particles such as dust, ash and smoke that can damage our lungs. Sandra Seanor Executive Director Michiana Area Council of Governments (MACOG) County City Building 11th Floor, 227 West Jefferson Boulevard South Bend, Indiana 46601 Website: www.macog.com New topic: West Nile Virus Nature Nuggets: Before 1999 West Nile Virus was not documented in the United States. The U.S. strain is most closely related to strains found in the Middle East. Tony Mancuso Environmental Health Manager St. Joseph County Health Department County City Building 227 West Jefferson Boulevard South Bend, Indiana 46601 Website: http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile/ back to top

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