Day 261 NATURE

September 25, 2016
Day 261

Angelica Stream maintained by Berks Nature

To walk along a riparian zone bordering the Angelica Stream noting the unique and diverse ecosystem with eleven wonderful children from our very own Wider School was and is better than Twin Valley Coffee, you heard me. Children and Nature get me jacked, hyped-up and energized. Do you know how much I love coffee?!

I love children and I love nature. You put them together and I get high! Then you add a biologist, environmentalist, or ecologist, explaining wildlife and its surroundings and well, I'm kinda euphoric. There is something about these particular scientists that make me want to listen to their intoxicating descriptions of insects, riparian zones, ecosystems, habitats, you name it. Their love is not only informative but invigorating. I am convinced there is a required college course that teaches them the art of explaining clearly and succinctly the wonder of it all. They are that good.

Michael Griffith has just joined the staff at Berks Nature and is the Educational and Watershed Specialist. His alias is Dr. Nature. It was a pleasure having him explain that the presence or absence of macro invertebrates determines water quality. He spoke of the poisonous quality of monarchs due to milkweed, the life of a fruit fly in a golden rod, and even led us in a forensic activity involving owl pellets. He gave me one to bring home! Move over Bill Nye.

Wider School Students

Tami Shimp, the VP Development & Community Relations, with whom I spoke with on the phone setting up this field trip, is a wonderful wildlife advocate. She has been with Berks Nature since 1997. Not only did she provide us with an update on the recent name change to Berks Nature and the plans to build an Environmental Exploration Center at Angelica Park but she walked with us adding just as many interesting facts as Dr. Nature. Video games, no matter how virtual, can not compete with pushing over a log looking for life. To not come back to Angelica Park would simply not make sense. You will see us in the spring. Thank you Dr. Nature and Tami for helping us appreciate all things nature.

Michael J. Griffith explaining macro invertebrates to students