TRAILBLAZER - Oregon Ridge Nature Center...

TRAILBLAZERSupporting Oregon Ridge Park and Nature Center for 32 years

Oregon Ridge Nature Center Council, 410-887-1815; www.oregonridgenaturecenter.org; TDD/Deaf 410-887-5319

April/May/June 2015

Most people love butterflies in their garden and oftenprovide flowering plants to attract them. However, manyaren’tcertainorawareofhowtoattractthegreatestdiversityofbutterflyspecies. Onesolutionistoconsiderthecaterpillars,andtheplantsonwhichtheydepend. JoinSherylPedrick,Ladew Gardens’ Education Director, on a metamorphicjourneytoexaminethefulllifecycleandneedsofcommonbutterflies of the central Maryland region. Examinerecommended nectar plants for butterflies and the hostplantsfortheircaterpillars. Also,learnaboutLadew’s1500squarefoot,nativebutterflyhouse,whichfeaturesallfourlifecycle stagesofnumerousbutterflies (andmoths), includingmonarchs, spicebush swallowtails, buckeyes, hummingbirdmothsandmore. Sheryl Pedrick began her environmental education/naturalistcareeralmost20yearsagoatOregonRidgeNatureCenter as a weekend/seasonal naturalist. She received herMaster’s Degree in Environmental Studies from MontclairState University through a Graduate Fellowship with theNewJerseySchoolofConservation. Soonafter,sheacquiredthepositionofSeniorNaturalistatIrvineNatureCenter. In2004 Sheryl became the first Education Director at LadewTopiaryGardensinMonkton,whereshehasdevelopedmostofthechildren’sandfamilynatureprograms.

WANT BUTTERFLIES? DON’T FORGET THE CATERPILLARS!

Presentation ByNaturalist Sheryl Pedrick

Monday, April 20, 2015, 7:30 PM

WHAT’S INSIDE...

WILDLFOWER WANDERINGSTalk by Naturalist Heather Helm

May 18, 7:30 PM

PRIMITIVE TECHNOLOGY WEEKENDMay 2 and 3, 10 AM to 4 PM

MUSIC IN THE WOODSMay 9, 10 AM to 4 PM

PICNIC UNDER THE STARSJune 19, 6 PM, Location in Park TBA

SECRETS AND MYSTERIES OF SPRING WILDFLOWERS

essay by ORNC Director Winny Tan

ORNC HOPES TO BE A GREEN CENTER

NEW PROJECTS BEGIN THIS SPRINGby ORNCC President Pat Ghingher

MEET RIDGE RUNNERS CHRISTINA AND ED

Oregon Ridge Nature Center Council’s Trailblazer | April-June 2015

Join wildflower enthusiast Heather Helm on a journeythroughtimeandspacetodiscoverthebeautyandvarietyofnativewildflowersinMaryland,asshesharesherwanderingsonnumeroushikesinmanyplacesspanningasingleyear.Shewillpresentflowers as theybloomchronologically, gleaning fromherpersonalnaturejournalsandphotographs.Hearinterestingstoriesand loreaboutthesebeauties,and learnwhere,when,andwhattolookforwhenexploringonyourown. Heather Helm grew up in northern Carroll County,hiking,camping,canoeing,andenjoyingtheoutdoorswithfamilyandfriends.Whileincollege,sheworkedasaseasonal/weekend naturalist at Oregon Ridge. Upon completingher Master’s Degree in Geography and EnvironmentalPlanning, shebecame thefirstNaturalist at thenewBearBranch Nature Center in Carroll County. Later, sheopened anddevelopedHarfordCounty’sAnitaC.LeightEstuaryCenter,servingasParkManager.Afterhavingherfirstchild,Heatherretiredfromfull-timeworkandbeganconsulting on exhibits and programs. She designed theHavre de Grace Promenade signs and created the exhibitconceptplanfortheirLightKeeper’sHouse.ShedesignedandpilotedBenjaminBannekerPark’sfirstsummercamps.HeatherisalsotheleaderofaHowardCounty4Hgroup.

WILDFLOWER WANDERINGSPresented By

Naturalist Heather HelmMonday, May 18, 7:30 PM

This unique event features various demonstrations,including flintknapping, and hands-on activities such asshooting bows and arrows, blowguns, tossing atlatls, andmakingclaycoilsandpinchpots. This year Archaeologist Jack Cresson will share hisexpertiseinatalkAn Unusual Paleoamerican Cache Find in Eastern Pennsylvania.This2013discoveryoftwelveflutedbiface(arrowhead)preforms(meaningunfinished)andtwounflutedbifacialknivesprovidesarareglimpseintoeasternflutedpointmanufacture.JackCressonisahighlyrespectedexpert in the field of Experimental Archaeology. He willdiscussthevariousexperimentalapproachestoreplicatetheprocessesusedinthiscache. Formoreinformation,callKirkDreierat410-887-2503.

PRIMITIVE TECHNOLOGY WEEKENDFlintknapping, Bow Shoots, Atlatl Tosses and

a Glimpse into the Paleoamerican Past

May 2 and 3, 10 AM – 4 PM, FREE

Photo by David McAdoo

Photo by Jack Cresson


When: Saturday, May 9, 2015Time: Between 10 AM and 4 PM

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

MUSIC IN

THE WOODSOREGON RIDGE NATURE CENTER'S

Annual Festival of Traditional Music

IT’S FRE

E

This spring ORNC is seeking to become certified bythe Maryland Association for Environmental and OutdoorEducation(MAEOE)asaMarylandGreenCenter.Inadditiontosupportingcommunityenvironmentallearningandbeingamodelforvarioussustainabilitypractices,thekeycriteriontobecomingaMarylandGreenCenter ishelping local schoolsbecomeMAEOE-certifiedGreenSchools.ORNCishere toencourageand support schools toapply (or re-apply) forGreenSchoolCertificationfromMAEOE. Green Schools provide high qualityenvironmental education to their students.There are many reasons why environmentaleducationissocriticalforouryouth,including:

• Ithelpschildrendevelopintoadultswhounderstandandcareaboutenvironmentalstewardship.

• Itnurturesasenseofwonder,imagination&creativity.

• Itprovidesasenseofbeauty,calm,peaceandrefugeinanoftenstressful,fast-pacedworld.

• Itexpandsintellectualdevelopment.• Itenhancesphysicaldevelopment

andoverallhealthandwell-being.

• Ithelpschildrenunderstandtheinterrelationshipbetweenalllifeforms.

Marylandrecognizesthebenefitsofthistypeofeducation.Since2011Marylandhasrequiredenvironmentalliteracyasarequirementforhighschoolgraduation.Schoolsfrompre-Kthrough grade 12 are required to provide a comprehensive

programofenvironmentalstudies.MAEOEcertifiedGreenSchoolsarewellpreparedtoprovidethis

educationtotheirstudents. If you are involved with a schoolinterestedinbecomingacertifiedGreen

School,pleasecontactORNCtoseehowwemayassistyou.We’dlovetohelp!ForadditionalinformationabouttheGreenCentercertificationprocessandhowtobecomeaMAEOEGreenSchool,pleasevisitwww.maeoe.org.

OREGON RIDGE NATURE CENTER APPLIES TO BECOME A MARYLAND GREEN CENTER!

In the end, we will conserve only what we love. We will love only what we understand. We will understand only what we are taught. ~ Baba Dioum

Our annual picnic will once again be held on a FridayeveningtoenablemorepeopletocomeandwelcomesummeratOregonRidgePark.Sincethelakeisclosed,wewillannouncethenewlocationwithintheParklater,viae-mailandFacebook. Join us and take an evening stroll through the woods,stretchoutonyourblanketandgazeatthestars,thengatherroundthecampfiretosingsongsandroast marshmallows for tastys’moresoveratoastyfire. Unfortunately, this yeartherewillbenogrillsavailable,so pack a picnic dinner offried chicken, sandwiches,orwhateveryouenjoyeating. Please bring your familyand friends for a memorableeveninginthepark!

PICNIC UNDER THE STARS Friday, June 19, 6 PM

In the Park, but not at the Lake

NATURE CENTER STAFFDirector Winny TanNaturalist/CS1 Jessica JeannettaAdministrative Asst. Betsy KadowBuilding Maintenance Pat Bedgar Part-Time Naturalists: Andrea Barnett Rob Bonfante Karl Dotterweich Kimberly Erickson Betsy Kadow Eric Mazur Laura Soder Melissa Tillery Rachel Tuchman Pam Ward Seasonal Naturalist Jackie Devine Lauren Leffer Cole SnyderSeasonal Attendant Sara Barnett Building Attendants Noot Canoles Shea Sandifer


(Article by Christine Carpenter, MAEOE)


CHRISTINA PANOUSOSA Positive, Energetic, Dependable

Ridge Runner

Christina Panousos has always looked for things thatarefunandnewtodo,sobecomingaRidgeRunnerinfall2012 seemed a perfect way to express her love for natureandanimalsandlearnmoreaboutwhatittakestobecomea naturalist. Christina loves taking care of the animals,especiallyherfavorites—thered-belliedturtlesandthecornsnakes.Shehashadsomememorableexperiencesworkingwith the animals, including one involving Jasmine theOpossum.WhilefeedingJasminegrapes,Christinabecameafraidthattheopossumwaschokingbecauseofthewayitwaschewing,sosherantogettheDirector.AstheywatchedJasmine eat, Christina realized that the opossum was justchewing quickly in an odd way because she has so manyteethandshe likes tochowdownonher lunch,especiallyherfavoritefruits.Eversince,Christinaloveswatchingtheopossumdine,especiallywhenslurpingyogurtfromitsdishorsneakingunderblanketstoeatanegg. Christina is a sophomore at Dulaney High School,where her favorite subjects are government and creativewriting,because“…theyareveryphilosophical,”shesays.Sheenjoysparticipatinginfriendlydebateswithothersandwritingplays,poetryandstories.LastfallChristinabrokeinto the stage world, playing a role in Dulaney High’smusicalproductionof“TheGoodTimesAreKillingMe.”AthomeChristinacaresforhercat,twobirds,tenfishandarescueboxturtle.Inhersparetime,sheisalsoinvolvedwithGirlScoutsandenjoysreadingallkindsofbooksandplayingbasketball.

Christina encouragesothers tobecomeaRidgeRunnerbecausethereissomethingnewtolearneachday,whetheritisabouttheanimalsthatliveintheCenter,theplantsgrowingaroundthepark,oreventhetipsandtricksonhowtoremovecalciumresidueoffoftheanimals’tanks!WhenaskedwhatwasherfavoritethingaboutbeingaRidgeRunner,Christinaexcitedlyreported,“Allthepeopleandanimalsthatyoumeetandwhatyoucanlearnfromthem!”

OOPS! We Made an Error!There isanerror in the lastnewsletter. TheWildlifeBlind,photo below, is the Eagle Scout project for MatthewSeidenman.Weapologizeforourerror,Matthew.

TRAILBLAZER STAFFEditor/Design/Layout: Mary Jane Shanks

CONTRIBUTORS TO THIS ISSUE Writers: Christine Carpenter, Pat Ghingher, Jessica Jeannetta, Erin McCleary, MJ Shanks, Winny Tan Photographers: People photos by ORNC staff

OREGON RIDGE NATURE CENTER13555 Beaver Dam Road, Cockeysville 21030

410-887-1815 [email protected]; www.oregonridgenaturecenter.org

Articles/graphics for Sept/Oct issue due July 7.

Color versions of the Trailblazer can be seen on our Web site.


Letitsnow,letitsnow,letitsnow…and it did! Snow and ice wreakedhavoconMapleSugarSeasonthisyear,allowing only one Saturday for visitorsto learn about maple sugaring. Onthat day, 600 hardy souls turned outfor hikes to the sugar bush. Previousdaytime temperatures rarely roseabovefreezing,soverylittlesapwasflowing,butitwaswarmenoughonthat Saturday to see the sap at thehole. The steamy evaporator was inhigh gear boiling water to simulatethe sap to syrup process, but sincewehadleftoversyrupfromlastyear,visitorswereabletotakeataste.Thesnow on the ground enabled us tomaketaffyor“snowsugar,”aspecialtreatforthecrowd. OldManWinterandJackFrostdidnotdauntnearly1300supportersfrom dining at our 29th AnnualPancakeBreakfast,providinguswithatidyprofitof$6300.Thisyearwehadmany newcomers who heard about ourdelicious menu of steaming stacks ofpancakes,smotheredinmaplesyrupandaccompanied by tasty grilled sausage.A couple of our County officials alsoshoweduptolendtheirsupport:BarryWilliams,BaltimoreCountyDirectorofRecreationandParks,andBeahtaDavis,ChiefofRecreationServices. Diners enjoyed stirring music bytheOregonRidgeDulcimers,Ballybogs,

A BREAK IN THE SNOW AND MAPLE SYRUP POURED AT PANCAKE BREAKFAST 2015

Stringtown,andMayoontheHotcakes.Everyonehad funwithWalterMassey’s$.25raffles,flowerandsyrupsales, facepainting,andthegiftshop.Freebottlesofsyrupwenthomewith85peoplewhojoined the ORNC Council or renewedtheirmembership.

John Canoles’s hard work to lineup appealing box raffles paid off bigonce again, thanks to donations fromthese generous benefactors: ArubaSun and Spa, Auto Spa Hand Wash,Boordy Vineyards, Brooks Huff TireandAutoCenter,ColoursSalon,EarthTreks Climbing Center of Timonium,Greenbuilders, Inc., The Greene TurtleofTowson,LawOfficesofJackSturgill,Jr., Ladew Topiary Gardens, MillstoneCellars,Mt.WashingtonTavern,Oregon

Ridge Gift Shop, REI, Valley Motors,Wild Bird Center of Timonium, andindividualsNootandAnneCanoles,JackandAnnKerns,BrodyMcAllister,GinnaNaylor,CherylParrish,andWinnyTan. The success of our Maple SugarSeasoncanbeattributedtoourwonderful

volunteersworkingalongsideWinnyTan and other Nature Center staff,and the Lodge staff. The PancakeBreakfast Committee consists ofCo-Chairs Ginna Naylor and BillLaBarre, Treasurer Anne Canoles,Special Events Chair GeorgetteFrederick, Publicity Chair MikeBurns,GiftShopCoordinatorNootCanoles, Polly Roberts on flowersales, Membership Chair MarciaDysart, and Volunteer Chair PatKrasowski, who begins months inadvanceliningupover100workerswho prep, cook, clean, wash, mix,flip, sell and serve. This year Erin

and JohnMcClearywere in training tochairthiseventin2016. Wewanttothankoursausagecooks,whomuststandoutsideoverhot,steaminggrillsinallkindsofweather:BobMeier,Lou Witt, Jack Kerns, Kevin O’Neill,MarkGingerich,andMarkKander. Everyoneworkedasateamtogiveourvisitors an experience to remember untilnext year’s Pancake Breakfast. Volunteers and diners, please mark your 2016 calendars now for March 5 and 6!

Jean Worthley (of Hodge Podge Lodge) visits with Bob Stanhope, who started the breakfast 29 years ago.


Charles AnonyeCarole ArmorGary AndersonSusan BassettAnna BeardNancy BergerKim BerkKonrad BerkJohn BichellElysa BravermanEdward BullMike BurnsAnn CanolesJohn CanolesNoot CanolesMike ColumbusJim CurtisRob DefordJoey DevineMike DutyMarcia DysartLucilla FacchonGeorgette FrederickSusan GenoveseKat GeorgantasJay GhingherPat GhingherMark GingerichJared HallSybil HebbGerry HemmingAmy HopkinsMartha JohnstonMark KanderMonica KanderAnn Kerns

Bella PossidenteKristi PossidenteLucia PossidenteMaggie PossidenteSophia PossidenteJim PotterDavid PowerJohn RigleyMichael RomigaRutuja RotheMaddie RozicsJoe SalvaggioMary ScottAshby ShanksMJ ShanksJeff ShueDaniel SieversGriffin SieversZi SmithMichele SteinitzLinda TiceTom ThompsonPaul WaldmanZane WalshMike WaltzDave WardJosh WardKatie WardMeghan WardPam WardAlison WarfieldLou WittWilly WongSuet Ying WongYue Tung Wong

Jack KernsJerry KirkwoodDorothy KirkwoodBill LaBarreHolly LaBarreSue LeslieCarol MantagnaTed MartelloWalter MasseyNancy MattinglyBill MayoTalbot MayoErin McClearyJohn McClearyPhilip McNightBob MeierGayle Meier April MelatoDan MelatoGrace MeredithEllen MeringDean MerrittBradley MooreRuth MooreTeresa MooreAndi MusserGinna NaylorColleen NeelyNan NeelyKathy ObbagyAva OelkeKevin O’NeillChristina PanousosCheryl ParrisBeth PettersonAva Possidente

THANK YOU ONE AND ALL!YOU ARE GRADE-A VOLUNTEERS!

THANK YOU FOR EXCELLENT LEADERSHIP,

BILL LABARRE AND GINNA NAYLOR

Asplanning,execution,andclean-upforthePancakeBreakfastcomestoaclose,I’dliketotakethisopportunitytothanktwoveryspecialpeople.GinnaNaylorandBillLaBarrehavebeenvitalmembersoftheBreakfastPlanningCommitteeforalmost15years.Billhaschairedtheeventsince2001andservedasCaptainofthePancakeFlippingCrew.GinnahasservedastheKitchenCoordinator.Theyhaveco-chairedtheeventforthelastfouryears.TheirhardworkanddedicationhavemadethePancakeBreakfastasuccessfulfundraisingeventeachyear.Sadly,thisyeartheybothhavedecidedto“retire”fromthechairpositions.It’stimetopassthetorch! MyhusbandJohnMcClearyandIhaveagreedtotakeonthisdauntingtask.Thisyearwehadtheopportunityto shadow Bill and Ginna throughout the process andlearnjustwhatittakestomakethePancakeBreakfastthewonderfulcommunityeventlookedforwardtobymany. Becauseoftheirorganizationalskillsandcommitmenttothisevent,wewillbeabletosteprightinandhopefullyenjoy many more successes. We know Bill and Ginnawillbebacknextyearasvolunteersholdingourhands! OnbehalfofOregonRidge,thestaff,thevolunteersand the community,we thank youboth for your manyyearsofservice. ErinandJohnMcCleary PancakeBreakfastChairsfor2016

As we make our way into spring,I can’t help but be thankful that thewinterisfinallybehindus. Eventhoughpeopleenjoyvisiting theNatureCenterand taking part in the Maple SugaringEvent and the yummyPancakeBreakfasts during the winter,spring tends to bring out asuddenburstofrejuvenationanda unique feeling of excitement.Wecan’twaittogetoutonthetrails to look for and hear thefirst signs of spring and to feelthesunonourfaces. I think this is the perfecttimetolookaheadandseewhatisintheworksfortheupcomingmonths at the Oregon RidgeNature Center. The ORNCCouncil Board has been hardat work with the usual events:Honey Harvest, Holiday Party,Maple Sugaring, Pancake Breakfast,Music in the Woods, PrimitiveTechnology Weekend, and the CouncilPicnic. Butthisspringbringsnewideasandnewplanssuchasrenovationofthelibrarysothatitcanbebetterusedasa


multipurpose room for presentations andprograms. Wewillbetakingoutsomeofthebookcases, installing a counter with a sinkandcabinets,replacingthecarpetwithmorepractical flooring, installing a projection

screenandLCDprojector,andreplacingthetableandchairstoprovideadditionalspace. Alsointheworksisalong-rangeplanforapaviliontobebuiltbehindthechickencoopnearthewetlandarea.Thepavilionwillbeanareaforeventsandadditionalprogramming,

providing shelter during inclementweather,aspacewherestudentscanwork and eat lunch, and a placefor staff led birthday parties. Thepavilion will have rain barrels and

solar powered lights and fans. Additionally, plans are beingmadetobeginthecreationofalargeenclosedwoodlandgardenthatwillgiveusachancetoseewhat anaturalareawould looklikewithoutdeerbrowsing. The ORNC board is veryexcited about these new plansand is reaching out to you asmembersoftheORNCCounciltojoininwithyourmanytalentsas we move forward with theplanning, implementation, andfunding for the projects. Thisis your Nature Center and wewelcomeanytimeandassistance

thatyoucancontribute. Most importantly, please makesuretovisittheNatureCenterassoonaspossible—youdon’twanttomissthoseearlysignsofspring.Enjoy!

NEW PROJECTS BEGIN THIS SPRINGby ORNCC President Pat Ghingher

New Woodland Garden will feature bloodroot and more

THANK YOU VERY MUCH

To the 34 who became new membersand the 51 members who renewed at

the Pancake Breakfast!

If you weren’t able to make it to the breakfast, PLEASE RENEW TODAY! There is a membership form on the back page and a link to renew online.

MEMBERS!

Tippy Terrapin says,

WHAT’S COMING UPIN SUMMER AND FALL!

SUMMER PROGRAMS FOR ALL AGES!

CheckonlinefortheSummerCalendar

TRAIL GUIDE TRAININGSeptember1to4,from10AMto1PM$20feerefundableafterleading1sthike!Learnabouthoneybeesandotherinsects,

primitivetechnologyandmuchmore!

HONEY HARVEST FESTIVAL!MarkyourCalendarsNOWfor

October3and4,11AMto4PMIT’S FREE AND TONS OF FUN!


An Adventure In Your Own Backyard

NatureQuestisagreatopportunityto experience the outdoors and beactive with friends and family whilediscoveringsomeofthebestparksandtrails inBaltimoreCounty. Travelthetrails — some on foot and some in acanoeorkayak—tofindtrailmarkersat Oregon Ridge Park, BenjaminBannekerPark,CromwellValleyPark,MarshyPointPark,RobertE.LeePark,and other park locations. There arespecial rewards for those completingfiveormoretrails!Togetstarted,youneed a Nature Quest Passport, whichcanbeobtainedatonetheparticipatingparks,atWegmans,oronline:

www.oregonrigdenaturecenter.org

ThosewhocompleteatleastfivetrailsareeligibletoattendBaltimoreCounty’scelebratory Nature Quest FEST atRobertE.LeeParkon10/17/2015,timeTBA. Onemust register to attend theFest, so once you have completed fivetrails, call 410-887-4156 to register ordosoatoneof theparticipatingparks.Hang on to your Passport! It is yourticketforfreeadmissiontotheFest.

Get your Nature Quest Passportnow to learn all about this uniqueoutdooradventure!

Ed Bull has been coming toOregonRidgesincehewasakidandalways hoped to be a Ridge Runnerlikethoseheadmiredonhisvisits.Edlikes being a Ridge Runner because“Itmakesme feel good toworkwithchildrenandteachthemaboutnatureandalltheresponsibilitiesthatgointoworkingandcaringfortheanimalsattheNatureCenter.”Hisfavoritedutyis feeding andcaring for the animals,especially Jasmine the Opossum, buthe also really enjoys helping out atthefestivals.Edlikespeopleaboutasmuchasanimals. Edisa10thgraderatCalvertHall.HisfavoritesubjectisU.S.History,andhe lovesvisitingCivilWarbattlefieldslikeAntietamandGettysburg. He isinterested in other countries and inunderstanding why wars occur. Hewants to be a teacher and thinks thebestthingaboutbeingaRidgieisthechancetoteachnaturalhistorytokidsatour summercamps. “Iget toworkwithpeople,especiallyyoungchildrenandteachthemaboutanimalsandtheenvironment. The children learn tolove and respect the animals and theenvironmentbecausetheylovebeingatOregonRidge.”(See photo of Ed leading a stream search below.) Past camper AveryTan, daughter of Director Winny

EDWARD BULLA Ridgie who is a Natural Teacher

Tan,describesMr.Edwardasniceandfunny. She says, “I lovedhavingMr.Edwardincampwithus.” At home Ed cares for his yellowLab Opie and three rescue cats —Angel, Squishy, and Magic — whowereferaluntilEdsocializedthem.EdhasalwayshelpedhisMomcaptureandsocialize stray cats in the community,so that they will be good candidatesfor adoption in local animal sheltersandorganizationssuchasDefendersofAnimalRights.WithouttheeffortsofpeoplelikeEdandhisMom,thesecatswouldremainferalandposeaseriousdangertosongbirdsandotherwildlife. Ed’s favorite pastime is fishing,andhelovestotravel.Helikesbooksand enjoys reading John Steinbeck.He especially enjoyed Elie Wiesel’snovelNight,atruestoryaboutWeisel’sexperience with his father in NaziconcentrationcampsduringWWII. IfyouarethinkingofbecomingaRidgeRunner,visitonedayandtalktoEdor anotherRidgiewho isondutythat day. Ed thinks that teens thatenjoy animals and the outdoors willlovevolunteeringatORNC.Hesays,“It’s an amazing opportunity to learnabout nature, and it teaches you thatresponsibilityandhardworkwillhelpyouinyourfuture.”


SECRETS AND MYSTERIES OF SPRING WILDFLOWERSby Winny Tan

Director of ORNC

Photo by Kathy Purdy

As winter passes and I start seeingsignsofspring,Ianticipatetheoncomingeventsthathappenalmostlikeclockwork.Evenbeforethesnowmelts,littlespathesoftheskunkcabbagearevisibleandthegreat horned owls are nesting. The redmaple treebudsbegin to swell and thewoodfrogsbegintheir journeybacktothe ponds. Mother Nature is signalingthe start of the growing season again,and everything starts waking up rightonschedule.Soon,Iwillbewanderingthrough thewoodsoncemore, lookingfor the fleeting, ephemeral wildflowers,delighted in knowing the little secretsthattheyarehiding. Sometimes people overlook theunordinary flowers because they areunique in appearance, like the skunkcabbage. It is knownas thefirstflowerof the year since it starts busting outof the cold ground in January andsometimes December. The skunkcabbage emits heat through a processcalled thermogenesis.Thisprocesscausesthe plant to remain about 70° aroundthe tiny flowers, which are actuallylocatedonathickroundspadixhiddenwell inside the purply green spathe(sheath). (See photo below, left.) Bees,beetlesandfliesareattractedtotheheatofthesesmall,earlyblossoms.Thename

of this flower derives from its “stinky”smellwhentheflowerorleaveshavebeentornor steppedon.The scentproducingchemicals are skatole and caderine, thesamechemicalsfoundindecayinganimalsand plant matter. The smell helps detergrazinganimals(likedeer),buthelpslurein pollinators. If a grazer does decide totakeabite,thecalciumoxalatecrystalswillfeellikeglassbreakingalloveritstongue.The smell, however, is delightful to flies.Hundreds of flies can be seen swarmingaround the stream banks where theseplantslovetogrow. Another gem of the woods is thedelicatehepatica(see photo below, right).Itisasurvivalistliketheskunkcabbage,oftenpoppingoutintheearliestpartofspring when snow may still be on theground. These small pinkish bloomersbearlittlehairsalongthestemtoretainheatduringcoolspringdaysandnights,and to prevent ants from climbing itsstalk to steal nectar.The leaves are alsofurryandcanbeevergreen,lastingayear.Theolderleavestakeonarusty,liver-likecolor,thusthenamethatisderivedfromtheGreekwordforliver.Theflowerscanbevaried fromwhite,pink, lavender toeven a pastel blue, but what we thinkare petals are actually sepals. Thoughpollinatorsdovisittheflowers,hepatica

isabletoself-fertilizesincecolderspringscan minimize the number of visitors.It is in thebuttercup family and favorstherichsoilsofwoodlandswithmaples,beeches,andoaks. The spring beauty (see upper photo page 11)isaptlynamedforitssimple,yetdelightfulpinkbloom,whichenlivenstheratherblandwoodsofApril.Thepodsoftheseflowersexplodeandfireseedsuptotwofeetaway,allowingthesesmallflowerstothoroughlycoveranarea,colonizingalarge woodland expanse. The five petalsonthisflowerradiatepinklines,a.k.a.bee guides,todirecttheinsectpollinatortothecoreoftheflowerwherethenectarcanbefoundandthusbepollinated.Whenitgetstoocoldortheweatherthreatensrain,thespringbeautywillcloseitspetalstoprotectitsvaluable resources,nectar andpollen,whileconservingheat.Thespringbeautyisalsoknownasapink potatobecausethecorms(thebulbpartofthetuber)aretasty.Thoughthisflowerdoescoverexpansivesectionsoftheforest,removingcormswillthreaten thepopulationof thesefleetingflowers. Picking the flowers can rob thecormofenergy,sinceinthepickingleavesareoftenremovedaswell.Oncepicked,theflowerwillquicklywiltanyway,soitisbesttoenjoythespringbeautybyfeastingwiththeeyes!


(Above photo of Spring Beauty by Jeremy Sell)

(See page 2 for another photo of the Pink Lady’s Slipper)

Thepinklady’sslipper(see photo below)ishardtofind,butsospecialwhenyoudo.It isreallyanorchidandisveryrare,theflowershapedlikealady’sshoe.WhenIfirstwent looking for it, using the directionsfromafellownaturalist,Iwasdisappointedtofindthatithadfinishedblooming.Thenextyear,Iwentupagainaroundthesamemonth,andweeklythereafter,monitoringthegrowthoftheflowerstalkandthebudandenjoyingtheanticipationofknowingthat itwouldfinally bloom.When I gotthere for what I thought would be theblooming period, the whole flower stalkwaspicked.Thenextyear, theplanthadbeen dug up! It was devastating to waitandwatch,andwaitandwatch,yetneverhave that opportunity again…at least inthatparticularspotatOregonRidge. I finally got to see other pink lady’sslippersbloom,andIenjoytheanticipation

andhuntthroughthewoodstofindthemeachyear.However,Iamverycareful about sharing their locations.Locationusuallydictateswhere a plant may grow, but it’s not the location that ensures thegrowthofthelady’sslipper—itisafungus,specificallytheRhizoctoniafungi.Theflowerandthefungusshareavitalsymbioticrelationship.Theflowerproduces thetiniest seedwithoutanyreserves tosetuptheplantforgrowth.Ifthefungusispresentinthesoil,itwillattachitself to the seedcoveringandstartdigesting theoutercells.Then,the inner cells of the seed begin to absorb the nutrients from thefungus andfinally germinate.Without the fungus, the seedwouldstaydormant.TheRhizoctoniafunguscontinuestoaidthecormbymakingmineralsandother soilnutrientsavailable for thenext2-3years.Thefungiwillgethelplaterwhenthelady’sslipperisfinallyabletophoto-syntheticallymanufactureenergy.Thiscomplexrelationshipiscrucialforthisparticularorchidtobegingrowing.Inthewild,ittakestheladyslipper10-17yearstobecomeamatureplantcapableofblooming.Mostlady’sslipperslastabout20years,soitisimportanttoleavethemwheretheyareandjustenjoythehunttofindthem. TherearesomanymorewildflowersthatIlookforwardtoinspringandwanttoshareinthisarticle,buttherearetoomany.TherearetheshyvioletsthatIfindtomakeintojelly,thewildgingerthathidesunderneathheart-shapedleaves,andthemayappleswiththeirumbrella-likeleafstalksandelegantwhiteblossoms.Asthespringflowers disappear, the summer ones emerge and there are moremysteriestosolveandsecretstouncover.Formorefunfactsandloreaboutournativewildflowers, checkoutThe Secrets of Wildflowers andHedgemaids and Fairy Candles byJackSandersorThe History and Folklore of North American WildflowersbyTimothyCoffey.

Oregon Ridge Nature Center Council13555 Beaver Dam RoadCockeysville, MD 21030

NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONU.S. POSTAGE

PAIDTIMONIUM, MD

PERMIT NO. 296

Manybranchesmakeastrongtree.ManymembersmakeastrongCouncil.Usethismembershipformtorenewandgiveacopytoafriend.You can now join or renew online. Please visit: http://oregonridgenaturecenter.org/membership.html

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TRAILBLAZER - Oregon Ridge Nature Center...

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