The lights at North Carolina's State Capitol will go off for an hour tomorrow night at 8:30. We're celebrating Earth Hour! The official site shows last year's lights going off as the world turned. Join in - it's easy: turn off your lights for an hour at 8:30 pm. You can have a cookout or singalong, look at the stars, or catch up on your sleep. See you in the dark!
Friday, March 26, 2010
Lights out in North Carolina!
The lights at North Carolina's State Capitol will go off for an hour tomorrow night at 8:30. We're celebrating Earth Hour! The official site shows last year's lights going off as the world turned. Join in - it's easy: turn off your lights for an hour at 8:30 pm. You can have a cookout or singalong, look at the stars, or catch up on your sleep. See you in the dark!
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Join the Hunt for Bees
This season, we are planting Lemon Queen sunflowers in the garden, and hunting for bees. The Great Sunflower Project asks that we use that variety because it is especially attractive to the bees. We can help them in a fun and easy way, with this citizen science study. How do we start the hunt?
Similar to The Great Backyard Bird Count, the bee study seeks to collect data from around the country. It tells us, "Bees: Responsible for Every Third Bite of Food." The populations of wild bees are declining, and we need more information about them. What does the loss of pollinators mean for urban and rural gardens?
It is sometimes confusing to identify the insects. There are good resources on the study's Resources for Teachers, and a bee guide link is on the bottom of the page.
Our area is famous for hornets. If you see one of these, you know to look out for them. We discovered this nest in winter and learned that hornets are actually predators; they will eat bees for lunch. Now, we really want to help the bees.
We picked up Lemon Queen sunflower seeds from the local Lowe's Home Improvement for about $1.25. The Great Sunflower Project also uses certain other flowers to build their data. It's simple to sign up, and a great thing to add to your garden plan!
Plant sunflowers, tell about the garden;The kids will love this as much as adults. Gazing at the garden, we are doing an important science project! Ah, Spring...
watch bees come to visit the flowers,
and report how many bees you spy.
Similar to The Great Backyard Bird Count, the bee study seeks to collect data from around the country. It tells us, "Bees: Responsible for Every Third Bite of Food." The populations of wild bees are declining, and we need more information about them. What does the loss of pollinators mean for urban and rural gardens?It is sometimes confusing to identify the insects. There are good resources on the study's Resources for Teachers, and a bee guide link is on the bottom of the page.
Our area is famous for hornets. If you see one of these, you know to look out for them. We discovered this nest in winter and learned that hornets are actually predators; they will eat bees for lunch. Now, we really want to help the bees.We picked up Lemon Queen sunflower seeds from the local Lowe's Home Improvement for about $1.25. The Great Sunflower Project also uses certain other flowers to build their data. It's simple to sign up, and a great thing to add to your garden plan!
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Only 12 days to Earth Hour!
You can
join people all over the globe showing that we appreciate our Earth. Just turn out the lights! For one hour, Saturday, March 27, from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m., local time. Last year, 80 million Americans flipped the switch. Even the Great Pyramids of Giza and the Eiffel Tower in Paris went dark.
Sign up as an individual or organization or business at The Official US Site for Earth Hour. Find out more ways you can get involved -- have a party, buy a t-shirt, get stuff for kids and more. On the site from now through March 27 you'll be able to see videos and slides of other countries in the Earth Hour news.
Two schools in South Carolina are participating so far, along with 7 organizations, including a Homeowners Association, and 8 businesses. In North Carolina, cities signing up so far are Dillsboro, City of Winston-Salem, Carrboro, and Fayetteville. There are also 18 schools, 8 universities, and 32 businesses. Seven organizations have signed up, including the United States Marine Corps, a Cub Scout Pack, and the NC Zoo Society.
Georgia is an official Earth Hour State and will turn off the lights for an hour at the State Capitol. There are 23 states making the commitment, including Tennessee, Kentucky, West Virginia, and Maryland. We would love to see the Carolinas on the list. Okay, let's tell our governors and other elected officials that we want to join the party!
join people all over the globe showing that we appreciate our Earth. Just turn out the lights! For one hour, Saturday, March 27, from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m., local time. Last year, 80 million Americans flipped the switch. Even the Great Pyramids of Giza and the Eiffel Tower in Paris went dark.Sign up as an individual or organization or business at The Official US Site for Earth Hour. Find out more ways you can get involved -- have a party, buy a t-shirt, get stuff for kids and more. On the site from now through March 27 you'll be able to see videos and slides of other countries in the Earth Hour news.
Two schools in South Carolina are participating so far, along with 7 organizations, including a Homeowners Association, and 8 businesses. In North Carolina, cities signing up so far are Dillsboro, City of Winston-Salem, Carrboro, and Fayetteville. There are also 18 schools, 8 universities, and 32 businesses. Seven organizations have signed up, including the United States Marine Corps, a Cub Scout Pack, and the NC Zoo Society.
Georgia is an official Earth Hour State and will turn off the lights for an hour at the State Capitol. There are 23 states making the commitment, including Tennessee, Kentucky, West Virginia, and Maryland. We would love to see the Carolinas on the list. Okay, let's tell our governors and other elected officials that we want to join the party!
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Plan Now - Get Wild March 15-21
Celebrate N
ational Wildlife week by doing what comes naturally: play. Whatever you do—at home or school—do it outdoors!
Plan now. Click and get tips and ideas for the week with a Family Activity Passport. Teachers can get wild at school with a custom Educator Activity Guide that shows how outdoor time is good for students. Find ideas to make your school greener and download nature-themed activities and lessons. Volunteers, there are plenty of ways for you to help. Get in on the fun and get wild!
ational Wildlife week by doing what comes naturally: play. Whatever you do—at home or school—do it outdoors! Plan now. Click and get tips and ideas for the week with a Family Activity Passport. Teachers can get wild at school with a custom Educator Activity Guide that shows how outdoor time is good for students. Find ideas to make your school greener and download nature-themed activities and lessons. Volunteers, there are plenty of ways for you to help. Get in on the fun and get wild!
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