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Thank you to our activity sponsors of
Kids In Nature Day 2022

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The North Carolina Native Plant Society promotes the enjoyment and conservation of North Carolina’s native plants and their habitats through education, protection, cultivation, and advocacy.  The preservation and propagation of native plants is critical for maintaining biodiversity and ecosystem function.

The Society began as the North Carolina Wild Flower Preservation Society in 1951 and was the brainchild of Mary Tate Graham of Ramseur, Director of the Sixth District of the Garden Club of North Carolina, and Conner Smith.  The Society was incorporated in 1956 as a nonprofit organization.

 

By 2000, the Board recognized that its small numbers could not respond to the needs across the state and several chapters were formed, including the Charlotte (later Southern Piedmont), Triangle, and Triad chapters. In 2004, the Society’s name was changed to the North Carolina Native Plant Society, to show our interest in and commitment to all native plants, not just wildflowers.

 

There are 6 active chapters around the state.  All the chapters provide members the opportunity to support the mission of education, cultivation, and advocacy of North Carolina’s native plants.  To learn about native plants visit https://ncwildflower.org/

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Carolina Raptor Center mission goals include environmental education, the rehabilitation of injured and orphaned raptors, and environmental stewardship. Carolina Raptor Center is currently celebrating the 40th year since the first patient, a Broad-winged Hawk, was brought to Dr. Dick Brown in the basement of the biology building at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.

The Raptor Trail is a three-quarter mile walking trail and zoological facility that permanently houses and displays more than thirty birds of prey. The birds act as ambassadors for their wild counterparts and serve an important role in connecting people with wildlife in a safe and respectful manner. Guests can enjoy learning about birds of prey from across the globe during their walk on the Raptor Trail.​

In addition to the Raptor Trail, the Carolina Raptor Center has a medical facility for injured wild raptors. Their experienced medical staff evaluates and treats between 800-1000 raptors every year.  http://www.carolinaraptorcenter.org/ 

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Mecklenburg County’s nature preserves protect the county's biological resources while providing opportunities for environmental education, nature-based programs, and outdoor recreation. Our staff offer more than 5,000 programs annually, manage over 7,600 acres, maintain more than 30 miles of nature trails and 52 miles of greenways, and operate 4 nature centers and a public campground. All preserves are FREE to visit! To find your nearest nature preserve or center, visit www.MeckNC.gov/ParkandRec 

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Established in the early 1990’s, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Storm Water Services is a joint municipal/county stormwater utility that includes the City of Charlotte, the surrounding towns of Cornelius, Davidson, Huntersville, Matthews, Mint Hill and Pineville and Mecklenburg County.

Storm Water Services works year-round to manage the runoff from rainfall, reduce the risk of flooding, restore floodplains and protect the water quality of surface waters county-wide. We accomplish this by:

  • Repairing and replacing aging storm drainage infrastructure

  • Restoring severely eroded streams and floodplains to hold excess rain

  • Mapping floodplains to protect drainage capacity and manage floodplain development

  • Responding to residents who call 3-1-1 to report drainage and flooding concerns

  • Monitoring surface waters for evidence of pollutants

  • Enforcing ordinances to protect surface waters

  • Educating residents about flood safety, pollution prevention and volunteer opportunities   https://charlottenc.gov/StormWater/

 

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Anganette Byrd is an Education Coordinator with Mecklenburg Soil and Water Conservation District (MSWCD). We are a local government entity charged with the conservation of natural resources within Mecklenburg County. 

Contact Information: 2145 Suttle Avenue, 

                                  Charlotte, NC 28208 

                                  704-336-2455 

and to learn more about us please visit our website at www.mecklenburgconservation.com

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Each page of this new, FREE coloring book features an organism common in the Piedmont of the Carolinas and Georgia. A natural history profile is provided for each species.  Jon Storm and his students at USC Upstate created the coloring book as a fun way for young and old alike to learn about nature. There is also an associated Teacher’s Guide available at the website. The Southern Piedmont Wildlife Coloring Book is available for FREE download from https://www.uscupstate.edu/fieldguide

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Carolina Headwaters, L.L.C. was started by Shem & Shannon Unger ( husband and wife team) in an effort to increase understanding and conservation efforts of Carolina Watersheds as well as educate and inspire citizens to be good stewards and advocates for their environment. 

Carolina Headwaters offers a series of Pre-K through 8th grade engaging science programs that can be done at any location that will delight and excite young minds! Each program can include live animal meet-and-greets! Please check out our website at http://www.carolinaheadwaters.com/home.html for more information. 

At the Kids In Nature Day event we focused on the native reptiles and amphibians. We also explored what makes each unique and what we can do to help protect them in the wild! Hope you enjoyed petting scaly snakes and turtles as well as slimy frogs and salamanders! You will find that these guys are great to have around!

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Mother Nature has been charming children ever since she magically materialized in 2010.  She is often found in forests and glens and is always surrounded by her fans - children of all ages and stripes.  If you would like to have Mother Nature visit your special event she can be found on FaceBook via Robin Costine Berkman.

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