tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-57158029876939477092024-03-19T15:31:50.915-07:00Soil In My SoulConnecting the souls of the city to its soil and beyond.Christina, Artist and Educatorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01268860478399143025noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5715802987693947709.post-22479683076861530852015-05-08T08:51:00.002-07:002015-05-09T13:39:31.269-07:00Garlic Mustard: Bad for the forest, good for dinner.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKq8RZKg0FVZ3d7ZYMHqKlbWSez1oKF4U6bfoAzQ0ruogNEOtXRaJ11Cwx8HowcUgMRGxmEaKSO1kfGzSW4grhH34B4G4tk3E1SF67_If41K2-30wX0pBald0Lk0OcjBdaKl-5u2zuX0xy/s1600/tres.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKq8RZKg0FVZ3d7ZYMHqKlbWSez1oKF4U6bfoAzQ0ruogNEOtXRaJ11Cwx8HowcUgMRGxmEaKSO1kfGzSW4grhH34B4G4tk3E1SF67_If41K2-30wX0pBald0Lk0OcjBdaKl-5u2zuX0xy/s1600/tres.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="356" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKq8RZKg0FVZ3d7ZYMHqKlbWSez1oKF4U6bfoAzQ0ruogNEOtXRaJ11Cwx8HowcUgMRGxmEaKSO1kfGzSW4grhH34B4G4tk3E1SF67_If41K2-30wX0pBald0Lk0OcjBdaKl-5u2zuX0xy/s640/tres.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisdHjgHGy1IScDCcrHtNUDiTjVK4dpocHZswqhaHQBrzq3AJi1SiqRij-slvsLWshkmembrF4Ec3_B6RMB9hLfyodtSx89HhlW7cI1DqHMvfPEIZR7J625Elixeg9R296QmC2dz7tR2C0O/s1600/bees.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="178" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisdHjgHGy1IScDCcrHtNUDiTjVK4dpocHZswqhaHQBrzq3AJi1SiqRij-slvsLWshkmembrF4Ec3_B6RMB9hLfyodtSx89HhlW7cI1DqHMvfPEIZR7J625Elixeg9R296QmC2dz7tR2C0O/s200/bees.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="background: white; font-size: 13.5pt;">Spring has sprung in the Wissahickon and
throughout the parks, forests, and streets of Philly. Our spring trees are
blooming, grass is greening, birds are singing, bees buzzing, etc. Everything
things seems to be beautiful and balanced. However, for every native plant
fighting to share its beauty and nurture the animals and insects, there are
invasive plants dominating their space. </span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=garlic+mustard&hl=en&rls=com.microsoft:en-us&prmd=imvnse&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=v_1QT_P-GsHJ0AGQhd3zDQ&ved=0CEgQsAQ&biw=1152&bih=533"><span style="background: white;">Garlic mustard</span></a><span style="background: white;"> is
one of these </span><a href="http://www.usna.usda.gov/Gardens/invasives.html"><span style="background: white;">invasive plants</span></a><span style="background: white;">.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="background: white;"><br /></span></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">According to
the </span><a href="http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/forestry/invasivetutorial/garlic_mustard.htm" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Department
of Conservation and Natural Resources</a><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> (DCNR), “Garlic mustard poses a
severe threat to native plants and animals in forest communities. Many native
wildflowers that complete their life cycles in the springtime occur in the same
habitat as garlic mustard. Once introduced to an area, garlic mustard out
competes native plants by aggressively monopolizing light, moisture, nutrients,
soil and space. Wildlife species that depend on these early plants for their
foliage, pollen, nectar, fruits, seeds and roots, are deprived of these
essential food sources when garlic mustard replaces them. Humans are also
deprived of the vibrant display of beautiful spring wildflowers.” </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">So what is good about
garlic mustard? It’s edible and delicious.</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; text-align: center;"> </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-XY7v9aRimo18Bm8dbcH4-wEUatxgvM9U7BFXsAObeN661JNfLn4DwdDTvp5CeTfvOI5fLODuU3ZLSwk0pq9Zm35i43Ki4UarK_A3UtzBF9Zu2YlFXVdiYu0me-oL1kQqZzpSb5sQNnBX/s1600/house.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-XY7v9aRimo18Bm8dbcH4-wEUatxgvM9U7BFXsAObeN661JNfLn4DwdDTvp5CeTfvOI5fLODuU3ZLSwk0pq9Zm35i43Ki4UarK_A3UtzBF9Zu2YlFXVdiYu0me-oL1kQqZzpSb5sQNnBX/s200/house.jpg" width="200" /></a><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I first learned about
invasive and edible forest plants at the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/WissahickonEnvironmentalCenter">Wissahickon
Environmental Center</a> (WEC) in the <a href="http://www.fow.org/">Wissahickon
Valley</a> Park, part of<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="http://www.phila.gov/parksandrecreation/Pages/default.aspx">Philadelphia
Parks and Recreation</a>. WEC and the<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="http://www.fow.org/">Friends of the Wissahickon</a><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>are a wealth of knowledge, and host a
wide variety of exciting events and activities for children, families, and adults. Wild edible plant lessons are always a favorite and the dishes
made are delicious. </span><br />
<span lang="EN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Garlic Mustard can be found almost anywhere there are weeds, so if you have a yard, garden or flower beds, you may have it growing on your property right now. It is also growing in an overwhelmingly large quantity in the <a href="http://www.phila.gov/ParksandRecreation/history/departmenthistory/parksystemhistory/Pages/FairmountParkOrigins.aspx">Fairmount Park System</a>, as well as most other parks throughout northeastern United States. W</span><span style="font-size: 18px;">hile it is illegal to take anything from the forest or parks, it's a safe bet that if you ask the staff of your local environmental center if you could harvest it, the garlic mustard will not be missed. </span><br />
<span lang="EN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><b>This recipe for Wissahickon Garlic Mustard Pesto can be altered to
your taste, and eaten with crackers, on pasta, sauteed with vegetables, in soup, on pizza, etc. </b></span><br />
<span lang="EN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><b style="font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-size: 13.5pt;">Click<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="http://www.sonja-hinrichsen.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/living-off-the-land-recipes.pdf">here</a><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>for more information and delicious garlic mustard inspired recipes. </span></b></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmSftAekzFqxBfj7CXU0NpCLuEFucKpUdNMEH33YxogRBekKzD7pTwmehLjKRJWR0t9Xh1VRv3Y6R1IVEvusU6r22bJLmUErziQpoOkhiSBzOCBxOO7e4R3mU5OY9TnuEW1CO10pQIcbVn/s1600/garlic+m.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="height: 143px; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; width: 200px;"><img border="0" height="449" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmSftAekzFqxBfj7CXU0NpCLuEFucKpUdNMEH33YxogRBekKzD7pTwmehLjKRJWR0t9Xh1VRv3Y6R1IVEvusU6r22bJLmUErziQpoOkhiSBzOCBxOO7e4R3mU5OY9TnuEW1CO10pQIcbVn/s320/garlic+m.bmp" uda="true" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; border: currentColor; text-align: justify;">
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<strong><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-size: 13.5pt;">Wissahickon
Garlic Mustard Pesto</span></strong><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<strong><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-size: 13.5pt;"> Ingredients:</span></strong><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">2 Cups <a href="http://na.fs.fed.us/spfo/invasiveplants/factsheets/pdf/garlic-mustard.pdf">Garlic
Mustard Leaves</a> (young 1<sup>st</sup> year plant)*</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">1 Clove Garlic</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">¾ Parmesan Cheese</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<u><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-size: 13.5pt;">~</span></u><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-size: 13.5pt;"> ½ Cup Olive Oil (add to desired consistency) </span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-size: 13.5pt;">¼ Cup pine nuts
(optional)</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="background: white; font-size: 13.5pt;"><br />
</span><strong><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-size: 13.5pt;">Directions:</span></strong><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">In a food processor, finely chop the
Garlic-Mustard leaves, garlic and pine nuts</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Slowly mix in cheese and oil to
desired taste and consistency</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<strong><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-size: 13.5pt;">Recommendations:</span></strong><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Eat with bread, crackers, or pasta</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Save for future dishes by freezing in
ice cube trays</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">*When harvesting
garlic mustard, harvest only the 1<sup>st</sup> year plant. Be careful not
to knock into the 2<sup>nd</sup> year plants that are often nearby and
spread their seeds. Pull the 1<sup>st</sup> year plants up by the roots
and take everything home with you. Put what you do not use in the trash, never
the compost. Because it is an invasive plant, we must take all precautions not
to enable it to spread.</span></i><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-size: 13.5pt;"><br />
</span></i><b><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-size: 13.5pt;">Click<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="http://www.sonja-hinrichsen.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/living-off-the-land-recipes.pdf">here</a><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>for more information and delicious
garlic mustard inspired recipes. </span></b><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="background: white; border: currentColor; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghiAsdW8574dChyphenhyphenW1rZ9DM_T3jUAVhlweXH3W27zYnsoentDP2iAqCss4AWeC8sEGGWqcRZn4PnQH_n_y3Pll-kvWfGnebdgGxXhnQuBeDtL2-8Qjz70yNNqWICvVNym1D8qy_1RcCxkrg/s1600/3892c8d5-a15d-416c-838e-359c7b301d8c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghiAsdW8574dChyphenhyphenW1rZ9DM_T3jUAVhlweXH3W27zYnsoentDP2iAqCss4AWeC8sEGGWqcRZn4PnQH_n_y3Pll-kvWfGnebdgGxXhnQuBeDtL2-8Qjz70yNNqWICvVNym1D8qy_1RcCxkrg/s640/3892c8d5-a15d-416c-838e-359c7b301d8c.jpg" width="486" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Christina, Artist and Educatorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01268860478399143025noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5715802987693947709.post-49029530775227067422014-03-28T09:40:00.000-07:002014-03-28T08:11:19.305-07:00Contribute Content to Soil In My Soul<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy0yqai5H1XJmbpxFezV9rJFfespwrdI073xk9ytddAIlzUv1FmSzgkwyCBTAS90XRVAqv6tOVjegPsFGmKjnGT0XUoY_itFklMuibVaMiQ9g7uRDOWN1_rE2x6Zqdo92mlqMjz2uMAuLn/s1600/SIMS+LG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy0yqai5H1XJmbpxFezV9rJFfespwrdI073xk9ytddAIlzUv1FmSzgkwyCBTAS90XRVAqv6tOVjegPsFGmKjnGT0XUoY_itFklMuibVaMiQ9g7uRDOWN1_rE2x6Zqdo92mlqMjz2uMAuLn/s1600/SIMS+LG.jpg" height="219" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Content Coming Soon</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
To contribute content, email Christina at soilinmysoul@gmail.com.</div>
Christina, Artist and Educatorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01268860478399143025noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5715802987693947709.post-78715798261358035032014-03-28T06:51:00.000-07:002014-03-28T06:51:54.683-07:00Spring: So Close, Yet So Far Away<h3 class="post-title entry-title" itemprop="name">
</h3>
<div class="post-header">
</div>
<div style="border: currentColor; text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtLFSxnpVOKQQeWruzdjLo5cp33wMD0ldQUBfDWdD1mvy4E2mhuYpFhS-ZGrDAqAvU0wdBOibO-l15OQxRMWrq-crZxvph1c3xsjoTLlMZtu0UZQRVwWE95wV3sZ9k26H8xA5n3sfhrs7r/s1600/429946_3458419388041_1497578762_3199078_755174440_n.jpg" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtLFSxnpVOKQQeWruzdjLo5cp33wMD0ldQUBfDWdD1mvy4E2mhuYpFhS-ZGrDAqAvU0wdBOibO-l15OQxRMWrq-crZxvph1c3xsjoTLlMZtu0UZQRVwWE95wV3sZ9k26H8xA5n3sfhrs7r/s320/429946_3458419388041_1497578762_3199078_755174440_n.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Garamond;">It's almost April and, although a little late, the sun is beginning to shine brighter, the temperature a bit
warmer and plants a bit greener. Winter hibernation is turning into long awaited
spring fever. There are so many things we want to do outside, but we
can't just yet. So what can we do? While I was brainstorming this same
question for my lessons at the <a href="http://www.wyck.org/">Wyck Historic House, Garden and Farm</a>, I came across a Facebook post by <a href="http://www.naturerocks.org/">Nature Rocks</a>. They shared a link, "<a href="http://www.goexplorenature.com/2012/03/10-ways-to-explore-nature-in-march.html">10 Ways to Explore Nature in March</a>" by <a href="http://www.goexplorenature.com/">Go Explore Nature</a>.
This awesome article shares wonderful ways families and teachers can
get their kids out of the house or classroom and into nature. It even
has printables! Don't have kids to take outside? Numbers 4, 7 and 9 can
be done by adults. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;">Number 8, “See local wildflowers,”
is one of my favorites that everyone can do. I especially love that
there are so many places to do this in the Philly area. My favorites are
<a href="http://www.fow.org/">Wissahickon Park</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/WissahickonEnvironmentalCenter">Wissahickon Environmental Center</a>, the <a href="http://www.schuylkillcenter.org/">Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education</a>, <a href="http://www.awbury.org/">Awbury Arboretum</a>, and the <a href="http://www.wyck.org/">Wyck Historic House, Garden and Farm</a>.
And thats only the Northwest section of the city! What are your Philly
area favorites? What are your favorites from where you live? What do you
love to do outside in March? I hope thinking about these questions and
reading this article has you inspired to get outside and play. Even on a
rainy day, the physical and mental benefits to outdoor play for
children and grown-ups are <span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">immeasurable</span>. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: currentColor; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;">Now that you have a pre-spring to
do list, get outside and love the nature around you. Nature is as close
as your door step, no matter where you are from. Enjoy! </span></div>
Christina, Artist and Educatorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01268860478399143025noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5715802987693947709.post-53596965290006930342014-03-28T06:37:00.002-07:002014-03-28T06:37:35.816-07:00Spring's Awakening<h3 class="post-title entry-title" itemprop="name">
</h3>
<div class="post-header">
</div>
<div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-855824897119285085" itemprop="description articleBody">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjByrZpcGoJ5S5lFOupvtUZ90nkFoIhUhUe5g8Obke4qZuXn3YpIeoTVpf6iLRA0nXJufJNmxKo9NGGPpb8uHh7n5DzQ4Q3TYeUzZDW83DH57PvnAVYfecpr7_1lSpmrcpzESh-MXcfg3xo/s1600/541032_3545456563916_1098993224_n.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjByrZpcGoJ5S5lFOupvtUZ90nkFoIhUhUe5g8Obke4qZuXn3YpIeoTVpf6iLRA0nXJufJNmxKo9NGGPpb8uHh7n5DzQ4Q3TYeUzZDW83DH57PvnAVYfecpr7_1lSpmrcpzESh-MXcfg3xo/s400/541032_3545456563916_1098993224_n.jpg" width="238" /></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">As March approaches and
the temperatures begin to steadily increase above freezing, each facet of the
natural world begins, once again, to come back to life in their own ways. Among
them, the song birds commence their morning serenade, snow drops bloom, trees
bud and American toads make their way to the surface of the earth. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">For those who take the
time to enjoy spring’s awakening, it is glorious. You don’t need a country
landscape to appreciate the new beginnings of spring; you just need to step outside
your front door. Even in the densest urban neighborhoods, nature exists- a
greening patch of grass, song birds on a wire, a budding street tree or kids
returning to the playground.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">In Philadelphia, nature
revitalizes each neighborhood, park, forest, arboretum and farm. Yes, you read
that right, all within the boundaries of the city. It is inspiring the way
nature brings a city alive with color, music, and fragrance, all intertwined
with the hustle and bustle of its everyday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, there are incidents the
city’s need to get to its destination as quick as possible will interfere with
nature’s need to get to its destination as quick as possible. Unfortunately,
nature cannot slow down and take a detour, but we can.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Take that emerging
<a href="http://www.biokids.umich.edu/critters/Bufo_americanus/">American toad</a> for example. Just as the Monarch butterflies instinctively make
their way back to Philadelphia from as far away as Mexico, the American toad
can travel for months to a suitable water source where they can mate.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Although this migration
happens anywhere you find a toad, in Northwest Philly, there is a mass
migration that happens every spring for the toads, and again six weeks later for
their toadlets, between the <a href="http://roxborough.patch.com/articles/what-s-up-at-upper-roxborough-reservoir">Roxborough Reservoir</a> and the <a href="http://www.schuylkillcenter.org/">Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education</a>. But like many greenspaces in the city, it is
segmented, and the toads must cross busy side streets to get to their
destination. This challenge often turns the toads’ mass migration into a mass
killing of toads. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Luckily for the toads,
there is a group of toad-loving people at the Schuylkill Center who also emerge
in the spring to spend their evenings from March through June, ensuring the
toads and toadlets are able to safely cross the road. This is known as the <a href="http://www.schuylkillcenter.org/programs/public_events.html">Toad Detour</a>.
These <a href="http://www.volunteerspot.com/login/entry/10454663120112">volunteers</a> patrol for the first signs of migration, which often occurs on the first
warm, rainy evening. When the toad begin crossing, they set up road blocks, catch toads outside the blocked
areas, redirect traffic, and educate neighbors on the importance of toads in their
neighborhood. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Sounds crazy right?
Well, I often think of the toads and those volunteers in the spring and summer when
gardening or front porch sitting. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">While humans may
negatively impact the life and habitat of the toad, toads are nothing but
beneficial to humans. For gardeners and farmers, toads are a natural pest control.
They eat what eats our gardens and crops, keeping insect and invertebrate pests
under control, including those mosquitoes that invade our evenings outside. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">That being said, the
more toads saved, the more there are a benefit to us. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">So, saving the toads
isn’t as crazy as it may seem. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Joining a Toad Walk or
volunteering for the Toad Detour is a unique experience. To watch and help
hundreds of toads (and thousands of toadlets) cross the road and continue to negotiate
barriers that separate them from the reservoir’s safe waters, is inspiring. And
if you can’t imagine what hundreds of toads looks like, I invite you to stop by and witness it for yourself. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is
also really quite peaceful to visit the reservoir during the mating time and
listen to the trill of the toads as the sun sets. You can even see Center City
from one special spot through the trees.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Nature never ceases to
amaze me. Every day, provided I slow down and take a second to look around, I
witness some natural wonder, even in the dead of winter. But spring’s awakening
is special in and of itself as life returns to every facet of the natural
world. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><em><strong>For you readers who are
not in the Philadelphia area, I would love to hear your favorite signs
of spring or if there are any groups or events similar to the Toad Detour that
support the wildlife in your area.</strong></em><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjU8AIsWy084ggKQPu2NNzJr2sut-pMzvoW-fCoMDMpftLJsOPylCGmMX8inffQROTWxo2tg6x0F7ZU7YXq42Iqd4VsWtbORchCevhMLubCCLbtvNV9qrIO5sWVGMZZVk9TDC1QAG0DJmk/s1600/417419_391640604195714_1029264954_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="397" spellcheck="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjU8AIsWy084ggKQPu2NNzJr2sut-pMzvoW-fCoMDMpftLJsOPylCGmMX8inffQROTWxo2tg6x0F7ZU7YXq42Iqd4VsWtbORchCevhMLubCCLbtvNV9qrIO5sWVGMZZVk9TDC1QAG0DJmk/s400/417419_391640604195714_1029264954_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhLhP8qbXD5aVnjiRu5fJCQUVPcE7cD83gE91MNpYuKs-ou3V-8ML8TiwT3Hou13GYRSvSvWSijGs9iwE5vJ0-3kdsQnB4zVCxz2rMM28bTMm4LnbakY7zCCPwPv7ZjYJ_AsRIuKfpoYVI/s1600/Toadcar.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" spellcheck="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhLhP8qbXD5aVnjiRu5fJCQUVPcE7cD83gE91MNpYuKs-ou3V-8ML8TiwT3Hou13GYRSvSvWSijGs9iwE5vJ0-3kdsQnB4zVCxz2rMM28bTMm4LnbakY7zCCPwPv7ZjYJ_AsRIuKfpoYVI/s400/Toadcar.jpg" width="265" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipw3BTBZNcqZQpvJnVjI-ojjby-f1CUqpEIfzYC2l_Tqyf9SjPhj-jduNp66plf_ldW3WmVBw-Bl7cjoJG1ccXxv9q3NlqWkuhaJmTpys69e5aT7mz1NFY6zSPkry2xOITps0bZsBRed0-/s1600/247898_2067154007276_1948367_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipw3BTBZNcqZQpvJnVjI-ojjby-f1CUqpEIfzYC2l_Tqyf9SjPhj-jduNp66plf_ldW3WmVBw-Bl7cjoJG1ccXxv9q3NlqWkuhaJmTpys69e5aT7mz1NFY6zSPkry2xOITps0bZsBRed0-/s640/247898_2067154007276_1948367_n.jpg" width="382" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" spellcheck="true" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizzPTt1_gxwRFFOXGZ_N40NzVuuuS0gxNItOAPVFsYGIOJ0aZL7EhqEKldjq8_235Cab1vcfkwGDsDz5obVNtTDqQL1s85mTff-51PfgyokFV91P0ttxFdxcK_55z06wdfTcHJ8pLc8W71/s1600/253870_2067148167130_1282221_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="382" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizzPTt1_gxwRFFOXGZ_N40NzVuuuS0gxNItOAPVFsYGIOJ0aZL7EhqEKldjq8_235Cab1vcfkwGDsDz5obVNtTDqQL1s85mTff-51PfgyokFV91P0ttxFdxcK_55z06wdfTcHJ8pLc8W71/s640/253870_2067148167130_1282221_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Toadlets are everywhere!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
Christina, Artist and Educatorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01268860478399143025noreply@blogger.com0Schuylkill, Philadelphia, PA 19146, USA39.942335 -75.18712349999998414.4203005 -116.49571749999998 65.4643695 -33.878529499999985