February 4, 2010

Dear TLC Members and Friends,

Sir Walter Wally didn't see his shadow and the snow is melting quickly so we are gearing up for spring here at TLC. Check out our upcoming outings (Item #2) and join us as we enjoy this beautiful time of year in the Piedmont.

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1. Benefit Spotlight: Wildlife Habitat
Conserving wildlife habitat has been one of the core functions of TLC since our founding in 1983. As the organization transitions to the Public Benefits approach, habitat conservation remains at the core of our work. The key question at this time is, "How can TLC focus its wildlife habitat activities to provide the greatest public benefit?" Find out more about TLC's work toward this public benefit online.

2. 2010 Spring Outings Series
We're kicking off our 2010 Spring Outing Series with a hike by the light of the moon at Johnston Mill. Join Chris Chao for this nocturnal look at nature on February 26. Or, if your bedtime is a bit too early for that one, join Maria Hitt for a Children's Hike at Johnston Mill on March 7. There is a lot more in store this spring, too. Check out our roster of outings, and watch for the March E-News for details about the upcoming Conservation Gardens Tour on April 24 and the Poetry, Prose and Paddle on May 15.

Moonlight Hike at Johnston Mill, February 26
Children's Hike at Johnston Mill, March 7
Birding with the Beardens - Neuse River Forest, March 20
Swift Creek Bluffs Wildflower Hike, April 24
Flower Hill Rhodo Ramble, May 1

3. Irvin Learning Farm sends out new shoots in 2010
The Irvin Learning Farm is gearing up to host an exciting 2010 program series, kicking off with a toddler and young preschooler program in March. The Learning Farm will also offer elementary-age programs over spring break, afterschool nature clubs, a bow making workshop for adults, and summer programming. Check out the full line-up online. To register, contact Wendy Banning at wendy@learn-outside.com.

4. Conservation Corps: Barns, Brush and Baked goods
The Conservation Corps, TLC's group of weekly volunteers, has been busy refurbishing one of the old barns at the Irvin Farm Preserve, clearing old rusty fencing and brush and enjoying coffeecake.

Find out more about the Conservation Corps and sign up to make your weekly appointment with the earth online.

5. Meet February's Members of the Month: Jane Kendall and Ran Coble
Jane and Ran have both been greatly influenced by their fathers' innate sense of connectedness to the land. Jane’s father taught his four daughters to see the colors, the textures, and the beauty of nature with awe and respect. Ran's father drove all over Alamance County to visit farmers to promote soil and water conservation. By traveling these back roads and hearing the stories of the farmers and their land, Ran learned that land had to be cared for and protected.

They both feel privileged to have TLC and recall being members "since it began." "We can't destroy why we came here - we can't kill the goose that laid the golden egg."

Find out more about Jane and Ran in our Member Spotlight.

6. NC Native Plant Society to search for signs of spring at Horton Grove, March 28
Join Carol Ann McCormick, Asst. Curator of the University of North Carolina Herbarium, for a walk at TLC’s Horton Grove Preserve in northern Durham County. Slated to be developed into TLC's fifth public nature preserve, this outing, organized and hosted by the NC Native Plant Society, is a great opportunity to see the land before it is made accessible to the general public. Find out more online.

7. Encore! Grand Trees of Chatham offers second Winter Tree ID Workshop
How can you identify trees when they have no leaves? Join the Grand Trees of Chatham to learn about buds, bark and twigs and how to use them recognize our native trees. Since the first session last month quickly filled up, Grand Trees of Chatham is offering a second workshop on Saturday, February 13, 1-4 pm at White Pines Nature Preserve. Be ready for a 1.5 mile moderate hike. Wear sturdy shoes and warm clothes. Bring a camera, binoculars, hand lens, or field guides if you wish. To register, email grandtrees@chathamnc.org or call (919) 699-1293.

8. Woodland Steward Series coming to the Piedmont
Are you a landowner who wants to keep your woods healthy or find out ways to maximize the benefits from your woodlands? The Piedmont Woodland Steward Series is designed to equip landowners and managers with the tools and resources needed to manage land, presented by experts from public and private agencies. Find out more online.

9. Good Times at White Pines
There's nothing like White Pines Nature Preserve on a cool, January day. Check out photographer Jessica Lobdell's blog post about her recent trip to White Pines online.

10. Join the Great Backyard Bird Count
Join tens of thousands of volunteers counting birds in their own backyards, local parks or wildlife refuges as part of the 13th annual Great Backyard Bird Count, February 12-15. Anyone can take part in the count, from novice bird watchers to experts. Participants count birds for as little as 15 minutes (or as long as they wish) on one or more days of the event and report their sightings online. Find out more online.

11. Your chance to be a TLC genie
We're making some wishes and hoping you'll be our magic genie. Maybe you can be - check out our Wishlist!

12. Where in the Triangle?
The TLC “Where in the Triangle?” quiz is back to challenge your knowledge of the villages, backroads and crossroads communities throughout our region, from Bennett to Bentonville to Bahama. So, eager contestants, here is the next puzzle. Take a look at this picture, then send an e-mail telling us where you think the photo was taken. One lucky reader will receive a stylish TLC baseball cap. We will draw a winner from all the correct answers we receive at enews@triangleland.org by 5 p.m. on Tuesday, February 9.

Do you know of the perfect landmark for the "Where in the Triangle" quiz? Snap a picture and send it to me (along with the answer, please!) at enews@triangleland.org.

Thanks to all of you who responded to last month’s “Where in the Triangle?” quiz! The correct answer was the Camelback Bridge at Deep River Park.

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