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Newsletter
January 23, 2015
In This Issue
Editor's Blog
What In The Woods?
Last Week's Contest Answer
Quick Links
glorious day EDITOR'S BLOG
A Glorious January Day
Dave Mance III               

 

If you were to describe deep, January cold to someone who'd never experienced it before, you might point out that you can hear it. Get below zero and the snow starts to squeak under foot...

 

jelly fungus THE OUTSIDE STORY 

Blobs on Ice: Jelly Fungi Add Color to Winter Landscape                  

Joe Rankin                                                           

 

They look like blobs of shiny tar, a melted lollipop, or a crayon left in the sun too long. They come in vivid colors from orange to yellow to white to black to pinkish. They have a disconcerting ability to mimic human body parts...

 

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squirrel midden

Red Squirrels: Keep Your Mitts off My Midden!   

Meghan McCarthy McPhaul                                                         

 

Every animal must develop its own way of dealing with winter. Migrate, hibernate, or insulate; these are common strategies.  For a few small mammals, survival depends on the snow itself, and the deeper the better...

 

Full Article Text

no hikers here

Richard Carbonetti sent us a series of these photos from the Northeast Kingdom. It isn't a hiking trail; what is it?    

   

Every other week we run a photo of something unusual found in the woods. Guess what it is and you'll be eligible to win one of our Season's Main Events Day Calendars. A prize winner will be drawn at random from all the correct entries. The correct answer, and the winner's name, will appear in our next e-newsletter. 

 


This week's contest deadline is 8:00 AM, Wednesday, February 4, 2015.
stumper Previous Contest Answer

Congratulations to our winner Kat Coriell! Kat receives a Season's Main Events Day Calendar.

 

 

This item was seen on the snow at the edge of an old field. What is it?  

 

NW Answer:

It's a sumac seed head with almost all the fruit missing...presumably picked clean by an animal. There are a few stray fruits (red dots) on the ground that provide a bit of a clue. 
        

 Visit our What In The Woods Is That? contest archive.

15% off in shop

January Sale: 15% off all merchandise!

From now until January 31st you can enjoy 15% off your order in the Northern Woodlands Shop (before the shipping charge) by including customer code: JAN15sale when you see the following entry:  

Don't proceed until you see you got the discount as we can't accommodate the discount retroactively. Sorry, this special is only for merchandise and does not apply for subscriptions. Happy shopping! 
NW Woodpecker logo NORTHERN WOODLANDS NEWS

Our cup runneth over. Actually, our inbox spilleth over. Either way, we have a lot of interesting news stories that cross our desks. Here were some of our favorites:


NATURE

Cool old tree maps show American forests in 1884, while far more modern technologies are providing new ways of looking at the forest: surveying trees from above with lasers and projection mapping movies. Big trees are becoming scarce in California and trees are always changing at upper elevations in Vermont. PBS is planning a new take on nature shows. Scientists are working on a "kill switch" to make GMOs safer for nature. Ten million dollars was just devoted to cleaning up the Connecticut River. And there's concern that a tax on non-profits will hurt land trusts in Maine.

INDUSTRY

Here's an interesting profile of a modern lumber baron. Also, an ode to the eastern white pine. The New Hampshire Wood Energy Council has a new video on modern wood heating for commercial buildings, while Utah is considering a ban on burning wood. A huge biomass power plant is coming to Maine and a cutting edge "biorefinery" is coming to New York.

STORIES YOU'VE SHARED

The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department is considering offering a $10 voluntary Habitat Stamp with funds used only for statewide habitat improvements and management. The stamp would also enable more Vermonters (beyond those purchasing hunting and fishing licenses) to support conserving Vermont's wild spaces. All funds generated would go towards improving statewide habitats and the purchase of new Wildlife Management Areas. Let them know what you think by completing this survey.  
We Welcome Your Questions and Comments
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Email: mail@northernwoodlands.org
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The mission of the Center for Northern Woodlands Education is to advance a culture of forest stewardship in the Northeast and to increase understanding of and appreciation for the natural wonders, economic productivity and ecological integrity of the region's forests. Our programs give people the information they need to help build a sustainable future for our region. Through Northern Woodlands magazine, the Northern Woodlands Goes to School program, and special publications, we make a difference in how people care for their land.