No Student Left Indoors

American Horticultural Society Symposium

Jane Kirkland — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 18:37:20 +0000

I’ve always thought of gardening as a solitary experience—one person, one plot of ground, one focus on one group of plants. A garden was a secret place for the gardener, the plants, the insects, and perhaps, an occasional visit by a child or grandchild—to pass forward the gardening experience. Gardening was a peaceful, solitary, time and gardeners were quiet, pensive, patient people who whispered to plants and whose hands held secret powers to make things grow.

Cutting Back on School Field Trips?

Jane Kirkland — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 20:06:30 +0000

As fuel prices soared this summer, many families took “stay-cations,” opting to vacation at home or nearby. Now, as children return to school, fuel prices are hitting school transportation budgets hard. Bus service is taking a big hit and many kids will be walking longer distances to the bus stop. Some will be walking to school for the first time. And many districts have cut field trips for the upcoming school year. But you can still take “Field Skips”.

Counting the Days Till School Starts

Jane Kirkland — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 18:10:37 +0000

Are you counting the days till school starts? These can be challenging days as you juggle: shopping for clothes and supplies, getting the kids back on their “school hour” sleeping schedules, and keeping the kids entertained. Need some help?

Where are the butterflies this year?

Jane Kirkland — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 15:59:39 +0000

I’d love to know what’s happening in your area. Where are you located and are you seeing butterflies? Have you noticed any difference this year versus previous years? Please post a comment to tell us what you’ve seen.

What Should You Do if You Find an Injured Animal?

Jane Kirkland — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 14:27:18 +0000

This summer hundreds (maybe thousands) of kids in the Delaware Valley area will find and “rescue” injured animals. Most find (and many bring home) baby birds and baby rabbits. What should you do if you find an injured animal?

Take a Minute to Be in It - the Eastern Bluebird Trail

Jane Kirkland — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 16:05:59 +0000

Take a Minute to be In It - join Jane on the Eastern Bluebird Trail.

Making Strawberry Hail

Jane Kirkland — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 15:10:44 +0000

Recently I came across Melissa Leach’s blog about Take a Cloud Walk. This homeschooler and her children decided to try out my hail experiment and make chocolate covered strawberries to demonstrate how hail is formed. She sent two photos of their experiment and one of them is really charming. Thanks for sharing, Melissa.

Cruising the Back Bay Aboard the Skimmer

Jane Kirkland — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 22:45:17 +0000

Highlights of the trip included Willets, Snowy, and Great Egrets (above), Black-crowned NIght Herons (above), Oystercatchers, and Clapper Rails.

Kids Corner visits Bald Eagle Nest

Jane Kirkland — Thu, 08 May 2008 18:54:53 +0000

Yesterday (May 7) I drove to Maryland to observe a Bald Eagle nest. With me were Kathy O’Connell of Kids Corner radio, Becky Prante of Take a Walk Books, and Becky’s friend, Jenny Houseal. This is a nest that Rob and I have been observering for several years. It’s about an hour drive from my home and we visit the nest about 2 to 3 times a year between February and June. This was my third trip to the nest so far this year and I’m hoping to make one more toward the end of the month.

Just Another Day in the Wetlands—NOT

Jane Kirkland — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 19:27:26 +0000

The rehabber said that the bird was not skinny so whatever was happening with his eyes—conjunctivitis or something else—had just happened prior to our finding him. The bird probably had at least some vision the day before. But without sight, it would be a matter of only days before it died from dehydration or starvation. That bird and I were meant to be at that spot at that time on that day.