It used to be when we thought of farming we envisioned a dirt road, rolling pastures and neatly plowed fields of vegetables somewhere
but not here.
But, the urban farm movement has taken hold in Charlotte with families raising chickens and growing vegetables year round in their backyards or on community plots.
From the egg to the chicken or seed to fruit, families are beginning to understand the value of knowing where their food comes from and how it gets to their table.
Children are fascinated with farm life.
What do the animals eat? Who picks the vegetables? Where do the animals sleep? Who takes care of the animals when they are sick? How come fruit from my garden tastes or looks different from what I buy from the store?
As we continue on our quest to... Keep reading.
During a recent visit to Charlotte Nature Museums, Trails End Store, my seven-year-old purchased a Venus flytrap (Dionaea muscipula)for himself and his teacher. His teacher lives on a farm and often shares stories about the flies on the horses. He was very happy about his pet plant purchase. All the way home he held the plant in his small hands talking to it, observing its modified leaves, looking around for flying insects wondering which unlucky creature who lingered a little too long would become his plants next meal.
Venus, as we affectionately call her, now lives in our breakfast nook. My son placed her in a shallow bowl, is careful only to give her distilled water and makes sure the blinds are positioned to allow the right amount of sunlight. Before we could... Keep reading.
Workshops, Working to Make Science & Nature Fun for your Little One
December 03, 2009
Posted By: From the Director
HabiTrek Workshops at Charlotte Nature Museum provide an occasion for your child to get outdoors and explore the woods. Youngsters will have the opportunity to understand the richness and delight in the wonder of the natural world.
Winter and its stillness provides opportunities for kids to become detectives on the hunt for tracks and scat, and to learn the story of the sleeping woods.
Each Workshop offers exclusive access to the Museum’s live animals, exhibits and an adventure outside on the Paw Paw Trail. Encouraging your child to explore nature through our HabiTrek Workshops will deliver benefits that include amusement, learning and a life-long love of nature and living things. I hope to see you in the woods . . .
Naturally speaking,
Lisa
Charlotte Nature Museum is embarking on a new partnership with Parks and Recreation to manage and remove invasive exotic plants species. You may ask what an invasive exotic plant is — invasive exotic is the term used to describe a plant that is fast growing, super aggressive and is not native to the area.
“Green Invaders” will often take over areas of land, clog water waterways and rob native plants of the nutrients and resources to ensure their long-term survival. Damage to the environment from “green invaders” is costly from both a monetary and biodiversity perspective. Once a green invader moves into an area habitats are severely changed which affects its ability to support the native plants, birds, insects and animals that once lived there. ... Keep reading.




