April/May/June 2015 Supporting Oregon Ridge Park TRAILBLAZERand Nature Center for 32 years WANT BUTTERFLIES? DON’T FORGET THE CATERPILLARS! Presentation By Naturalist Sheryl Pedrick Monday, April 20, 2015, 7:30 PM Most people love butterflies in their garden and often provide flowering plants to attract them. However, many WHAT’S INSIDE... aren’t certain or aware of how to attract the greatest diversity of butterfly species. One solution is to consider the caterpillars, WILDLFOWER WANDERINGS and the plants on which they depend. Join Sheryl Pedrick, Talk by Naturalist Heather Helm Ladew Gardens’ Education Director, on a metamorphic May 18, 7:30 PM journey to examine the full life cycle and needs of common butterflies of the central Maryland region. Examine PRIMITIVE TECHNOLOGY WEEKEND recommended nectar plants for butterflies and the host May 2 and 3, 10 AM to 4 PM plants for their caterpillars. Also, learn about Ladew’s 1500 MUSIC IN THE WOODS square foot, native butterfly house, which features all four life cycle stages of numerous butterflies (and moths), including May 9, 10 AM to 4 PM monarchs, spicebush swallowtails, buckeyes, hummingbird PICNIC UNDER THE STARS moths and more. June 19, 6 PM, Location in Park TBA Sheryl Pedrick began her environmental education/ naturalist career almost 20 years ago at Oregon Ridge Nature SECRETS AND MYSTERIES OF SPRING WILDFLOWERS Center as a weekend/seasonal naturalist. She received her Master’s Degree in Environmental Studies from Montclair essay by ORNC Director Winny Tan State University through a Graduate Fellowship with the ORNC HOPES TO BE A GREEN CENTER New Jersey School of Conservation. Soon after, she acquired the position of Senior Naturalist at Irvine Nature Center. In NEW PROJECTS BEGIN THIS SPRING 2004 Sheryl became the first Education Director at Ladew by ORNCC President Pat Ghingher Topiary Gardens in Monkton, where she has developed most MEET RIDGE RUNNERS CHRISTINA AND ED of the children’s and family nature programs. Oregon Ridge Nature Center Council, 410-887-1815; www.oregonridgenaturecenter.org; TDD/Deaf 410-887-5319 WILDFLOWER WANDERINGS Presented By Naturalist Heather Helm Monday, May 18, 7:30 PM Join wildflower enthusiast Heather Helm on a journey through time and space to discover the beauty and variety of native wildflowers in Maryland, as she shares her wanderings on numerous hikes in many places spanning a single year. She will present flowers as they bloom chronologically, gleaning from her personal nature journals and photographs. Hear interesting stories and lore about these beauties, and learn where, when, and what to look for when exploring on your own. Heather Helm grew up in northern Carroll County, hiking, camping, canoeing, and enjoying the outdoors with family and friends. While in college, she worked as a seasonal/ weekend naturalist at Oregon Ridge. Upon completing her Master’s Degree in Geography and Environmental Planning, she became the first Naturalist at the new Bear Branch Nature Center in Carroll County. Later, she opened and developed Harford County’s Anita C. Leight Estuary Center, serving as Park Manager. After having her first child, Heather retired from full-time work and began consulting on exhibits and programs. She designed the Havre de Grace Promenade signs and created the exhibit concept plan for their Light Keeper’s House. She designed and piloted Benjamin Banneker Park’s first summer camps. Photo by David McAdoo Heather is also the leader of a Howard County 4H group. PRIMITIVE TECHNOLOGY WEEKEND Flintknapping, Bow Shoots, Atlatl Tosses and a Glimpse into the Paleoamerican Past May 2 and 3, 10 AM – 4 PM, FREE This unique event features various demonstrations, including flintknapping, and hands-on activities such as shooting bows and arrows, blowguns, tossing atlatls, and making clay coils and pinch pots. This year Archaeologist Jack Cresson will share his expertise in a talk An Unusual Paleoamerican Cache Find in Eastern Pennsylvania. This 2013 discovery of twelve fluted biface (arrowhead) preforms (meaning unfinished) and two unfluted bifacial knives provides a rare glimpse into eastern fluted point manufacture. Jack Cresson is a highly respected expert in the field of Experimental Archaeology. He will discuss the various experimental approaches to replicate the processes used in this cache. Photo by Jack Cresson For more information, call Kirk Dreier at 410-887- 2503. Page 2 Oregon Ridge Nature Center Council’s Trailblazer | April-June 2015 THE C IN WOO USI DS M OREGON RIDGE NATURE CENTER'S Annual Festival of Traditional Music When: Saturday, May 9, 2015 Time: Between 10 AM and 4 PM IT’S FREE FEATURED EVENTS • Local Musicians & Bands Play Folk, Bluegrass, Rock and More • Bring Your Instrument and Join a Jam Session • Learn about the Dulcimer and other Instruments at a Workshop • Vendors, Crafts, and Facepainting • Bring a Picnic or Buy a Hotdog at our Stand Oregon Ridge Nature Center Council’s Trailblazer | April-June 2015 Page 3 OREGON RIDGE NATURE CENTER APPLIES TO BECOME A MARYLAND GREEN CENTER! This spring ORNC is seeking to become certified by • It helps children understand the interrelationship the Maryland Association for Environmental and Outdoor between all life forms. Education (MAEOE) as a Maryland Green Center. In addition to supporting community environmental learning and being a Maryland recognizes the benefits of this type of education. model for various sustainability practices, the key criterion to Since 2011 Maryland has required environmental literacy as a becoming a Maryland Green Center is helping local schools requirement for high school graduation. Schools from pre-K become MAEOE-certified Green Schools. ORNC is here to through grade 12 are required to provide a comprehensive encourage and support schools to apply (or re-apply) for program of environmental studies. MAEOE certified Green School Certification from MAEOE. Green Schools are well prepared to provide this Green Schools provide high quality education to their students. environmental education to their students. If you are involved with a school There are many reasons why environmental interested in becoming a certified Green education is so critical for our youth, including: School, please contact ORNC to see how we may assist you. We’d love to help! For • It helps children develop into adults additional information about the Green who understand and care about Center certification process and how to environmental stewardship. become a MAEOE Green School, please • It nurtures a sense of wonder, visit www.maeoe.org. imagination & creativity. In the end, we will conserve • It provides a sense of beauty, calm, only what we love. We will love peace and refuge in an often only what we understand. We stressful, fast-paced world. will understand only what we • It expands intellectual development. are taught. ~ Baba Dioum • It enhances physical development and overall health and well-being. (Article by Christine Carpenter, MAEOE) PICNIC UNDER THE STARS NATURE CENTER STAFF Friday, June 19, 6 PM Director Winny Tan In the Park, but not at the Lake Naturalist/CS1 Jessica Jeannetta Administrative Asst. Betsy Kadow Building Maintenance Pat Bedgar Our annual picnic will once again be held on a Friday evening to enable more people to come and welcome summer Part-Time Naturalists: Andrea Barnett Rob Bonfante at Oregon Ridge Park. Since the lake is closed, we will announce Karl Dotterweich the new location within the Park later, via e-mail and Facebook. Kimberly Erickson Join us and take an evening stroll through the woods, Betsy Kadow stretch out on your blanket and gaze at the stars, then gather Eric Mazur round the campfire to sing songs and Laura Soder roast marshmallows for tasty Melissa Tillery s’mores over a toasty fire. Rachel Tuchman Unfortunately, this year Pam Ward there will be no grills available, Seasonal Naturalist Jackie Devine so pack a picnic dinner of Lauren Leffer fried chicken, sandwiches, Cole Snyder or whatever you enjoy eating. Seasonal Attendant Sara Barnett Please bring your family and friends for a memorable Building Attendants Noot Canoles evening in the park! Shea Sandifer Page 4 Oregon Ridge Nature Center Council’s Trailblazer | April-June 2015 CHRISTINA PANOUSOS Christina encourages others to become a Ridge Runner because there is something new to learn each day, whether it is A Positive, Energetic, Dependable about the animals that live in the Center, the plants growing Ridge Runner around the park, or even the tips and tricks on how to remove calcium residue off of the animals’ tanks! When asked what Christina Panousos has always looked for things that was her favorite thing about being a Ridge Runner, Christina are fun and new to do, so becoming a Ridge Runner in fall excitedly reported, “All the people and animals that you meet 2012 seemed a perfect way to express her love for nature and what you can learn from them!” and animals and learn more about what it takes to become a naturalist. Christina loves taking care of the animals, especially her favorites — the red-bellied turtles and the corn snakes. She has had some memorable experiences working with the animals, including one involving Jasmine the Opossum. While feeding Jasmine grapes, Christina became afraid that the opossum was choking because of the way it was chewing, so she ran to get the Director. As they watched Jasmine eat, Christina realized that the opossum was just chewing quickly in an odd way because she has so many teeth and she likes to chow down on her lunch, especially her favorite fruits. Ever since, Christina loves watching the opossum dine, especially when slurping yogurt from its dish or sneaking under blankets to eat an egg. Christina is a sophomore at Dulaney High School, where her favorite subjects are government and creative writing, because “…they are very philosophical,” she says. She enjoys participating in friendly debates with others and writing plays, poetry and stories.