Hello! And welcome to a new feature here on the Briar Blog, “Katie Says:” This will be a weekly feature where I will write about wonders of the natural world, answer commonly asked questions at Briar Bush, or share other personal nature-related experiences.
I thought that since this was my first entry, that it would only be polite to introduce myself. I am Katie Fisk, a new environmental educator who started with Briar Bush back in September of 2009. I moved here from Florida, but before you start feeling bad for me “Oh! A Floridian stuck in a Pennsylvania winter!” I will tell you that I spent the first 18 years of my life in North Dakota. Yup, winters here are far milder by comparison! Amongst my other job responsibilities, writing and teaching on and off-site programs with my colleagues, I am also launching a new program series, “Family Programs with The Nature Geek!” This monthly series features fun, interactive programs that will entertain and educate both child and adult alike. I hope to see all of you at a program sometime!
Before I sign off for this week’s entry, of course I must include a nature story! Although Punxsutawney Phil predicted yesterday that we will have six more weeks of winter, I have begun to see signs of spring! Just this weekend I noticed a group of European starlings whose beaks had changed from their dark winter coloration to the bright yellow of the breeding season. It seems these marvelous mimics are making all the preparations to strut their stuff in hopes of attracting the perfect mate. And why not? Valentine’s Day is only 11 days away!
Have a question or a story of your own to share?Email me at kfisk[at symbol]briarbush.org!
Did you know October is Raptor Month? Since 2006, Briar Bush has celebrated with “RaptorFest.” The open house event features family fun and learning, including amazing, up-close encounters with live birds of prey from local organizations and falconers alike. Sponsored by Marsha Pearson of The Avian Promise and FOBB Board Member, these live animal presentations have taught us all a great deal about these amazing birds.
Watching wild raptors doesn’t have to wait until next October! For many reasons, hawks, falcons, owls and other raptors have been showing up in the urban and suburban landscape in ever greater numbers since the 1970s. While some of the increase has been attributed to loss of previous habitat, many positive factors are involved: the banning of DDT and other pesticides in the early ‘70s was a major step along with federal protection and re-introduction projects in cities and wildlands alike.
There can be a high concentration of food for the predators where we humans abound: feeding birds is becoming one of the most popular past-times in the country and many raptors feed on smaller birds. Though some may not appreciate the feeder birds being “picked-off,” it is important to remember that hawks have to eat, too! Besides, how often do we get to see a predator in action right in our backyard?
Raptors also provide a major benefit as they prey heavily on rodent pests. Unfortunately, this can often lead to their downfall: many birds of prey are poisoned when they eat tainted rats or mice. Most rodenticides on the market contain poisons which do not kill pest animals immediately. The poisoned rodents often go outside and are eaten by hawks or other raptors, killing them. At Briar Bush we have been upgrading buildings to try to exclude rodents and we are moving to non-toxic methods of pest control in order to better protect the birds and other wildlife here.
For more information on raptors in our area, check out the websites listed, or contact our education staff and keep watching the skies in your neighborhoods!
Webcam (and lots of info) of Peregrine falcons in Harrisburg: http://www.dep.state.pa.us/dep/falcon/
Webcam of Red-tailed hawks nesting at the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia: http://www2.fi.edu/hawknest.php Article written by Briar Bush Nature Center Senior Naturalist, Mark Fallon
After 19 years with the Friends of Briar Bush, bookkeeper Lily Abel is retiring at the end of December. Her retirement was celebrated at the annual Holiday Recognition Party on Dec. 8, during which she was presented with an engraved Swiss watch as a gift from the Friends of Briar Bush Board of Directors.
In addition to her duties as bookkeeper, Lily has been instrumental in the success of many Friends of Briar Bush special events, whether it is planning the menu, arranging the catering or organizing supplies. Her lively spirit is a presence that will be missed around the Center, but we know she will enjoy her abundance of free time as she jets off to sunny Florida!
Thank you, Lily, for your dedication and cheer and we wish you health and happiness on your new adventures.
Katy Abbott - Katy and her family moved to Abington from Cleveland, OH in 2006 and had the good fortune of buying a house within walking distance of BBNC. She is an Assistant Research Professor at the University of Philadelphia where she spends her time writing grants and overseeing research projects. Katy has been volunteering at BBNC for the past year teaching American Sign Language to families with infants and children. Having just completed a 5-year term on a board of an International Non-profit organization as the Director of Education, Katy is eager to join the board of an organization located in her neighborhood.
Janice Park is the founder of Urban Park Consulting. As an independent consultant, Janice provides consulting services to businesses, the community and educators, using entrepreneurial principles to organize, create, and manage ventures to make positive social change.
Janice started her career on Wall Street as a Marketing Associate for Shearson Lehman Brothers, in 1993.Within 4 years, she earned her title as Assistant Vice President for Greenwich Street Advisors, a fixed-income portfolio management division of Smith Barney Shearson.Janice had the opportunity to join a group of young portfolio managers who ran one of the most progressive socially responsible funds on the street at that time.
In 1996, Janice decided to redirect her career to join a software development start-up company in New York City.Within 3 years, Janice became the Director of Marketing, managing the largest partnership contract, the College Board.As a consultant to the College Board, Logicat, Inc. was responsible for developing educational software programs for secondary schools and developed progressive test preparation software, career and college preparation software, and data tools for school administrators to drive instruction.
In August of 2000, Janice’s passion for education inspired her to join the College Board as the Director of Business Development for collegeboard.com.In 2001, the College Board created the for-profit division of the College Board. As the Director of Business Development, Janice created innovative strategies and programs to effectively use the Internet as an education vehicle.
Janice continued her passion for education advocacy and learned to successfully integrate effective business practices to support education.In 2002, Janice became an education lobbyist for the state of New York and New Jersey for the College Board.She collaborated with school districts and state departments of education improve teaching to increase student achievement, with the focus on supporting underrepresented and low-income students.
One of Janice’s most memorable and meaningful developments with the College Board, was securing a partnership with the NYC Department of Education.The partnership assisted NYC Department of Education secure a $2.4mm federal grant to increase the number of students having access to a rigorous curriculum.This grant initiative opened the door to provide college preparation programs for more students in NYC, giving access to more programs and opportunities for more students, especially those from low-income families.By 2007, this program reached out to every 10th and 11th grade student in the NYC public school system, and still expanding.
Janice has continued to actively support inner-city students and families.In 1996, Janice was the Founder and Director of NYC Student Outreach.This outreach program mentored many inner-city students, bringing exciting learning activities for students through after-school mentoring programs.The program successfully partnered with the IBM Enrichment Program and formed a strategic partnership with high schools in the Bronx.
In 2008, Janice was ready to start a new chapter in her life and decided to find a way to use her entrepreneurial skills towards social good.Her passion for children, the environment, education, desire to have a voice in the community, and engaging in socially responsible advocacy, inspired her to create her own consulting practice.
UrbanPark Consulting continues to support the field of social justice, health, and human services.Janice engages in projects to support: education, youth development, socially responsible advocacy, and sustainable living projects.
DIANA K. WEINER is a horticulture consultant and lectures to groups around the country. She recently joined the staff of the Friends of High School Park as the Restoration and Volunteer Manger for this 11-acre native plant sanctuary in Elkins Park, PA. She also coordinates the volunteer program for and lives at Meadowbrook Farm, the historic estate of philanthropist J. Liddon Pennock, in Abington Township, PA. It is an affiliate of the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society.
Before coming to Pennsylvania and Meadowbrook Farm in 2006 she was the Superintendent of Parks and Grounds for the Historic Hotel of America, Mohonk Mountain House, whose 2200 acres include trails and carriage roads, 15-plus acres of show gardens, 300 acres of grounds, greenhouses, a garden gift shop, flower shop and a 9-hole Scottish-design golf course.
For 16 years she served as the Community Horticulture Educator and Master Gardener Coordinator through CornellUniversity for Cornell Cooperative Extension of Orange County, NY.
Diana is a Certified Nursery Professional, judges for the national beautification program America in Bloom, the Dutchess County Fair, Sullivan Renaissance, and other national contests. She is a member of the Garden Writers Association of America, The International Plant Propagators Society, the Perennial Plant Association and the American Horticultural Society.She currently sits on the board of Briar Bush Nature Center and the Meadowbrook Bird Sanctuary. She enjoys writing, cooking, antiques and shade gardening. She has a degree in Agronomy from the StateUniversity of New York at Cobleskill.
The annual Volunteer of the Year award, given to an outstanding Briar Bush Nature Center volunteer, was given a new name in time for the 2009 presentation. The Doris Dale Volunteer of the Year award was so named for one of the original Friends of Briar Bush board members and long-time BBNC volunteer. Among other valuable contributions, Doris Dale spent many years keeping Friends memberships up-to-date, sending each member handwritten notes.
The 2009 Doris Dale Volunteer of the Year award was presented at the annual Volunteer and Donor Recognition Party on Dec. 8. Recipients were Jay Viola, an adult volunteer who works with Montgomery County youth, and Ani Schug, a youth volunteer who has spent the past two summers doing grounds work and assisting with summer camps as a Camp Aide.
The Briar Bush staff was very excited to choose these two well-deserving volunteers who have put in countless hours.
For the first time, the 2009 Doris Dale Volunteer of the Year award was given to two recipients: an adult and a youth volunteer. Executive Director Dede Long (left) presents the newly renamed award to Jay Viola (center) and Ani Schug (right).
Briar Bush Nature Center is a 12-acre urban sanctuary located in Abington, PA. It is maintained and operated by the non-profit organization Friends of Briar Bush and Abington Township. The museum, pond and bird observatory are open 7 days a week (except for major holidays). Our hours are 9-5 (M-Sa.) and 1-5 (Su.). Our trails are open during daylight hours. Visit our website at www.briarbush.org for more information about our programs.
