By Andrew Mackie, Scarborough Land Trust
A Splash of Color
Several of Scarborough’s native shrubs and trees hold berries into the winter. Bright red berries of winterberry, highbush cranberry, and staghorn sumac stand out against our largely brown/gray landscape or the white of snow. Other berries, such as bayberry, provide extra color and food for hungry birds and mammals during the long winter months.
Winter Tree Identification and Wildlife Tracking
Join us for a Winter Tree Identification program on Friday, December 5 and Winter Wildlife Tracking on Sunday, January 11. For complete program details, visit our website.
Crossing Country Skiing
The time is drawing near to strap long wooden strips to your feet and hit the trail. The word “ski” comes from an Old Norse word for “stick of wood.” The history of cross-country skiing dates back at least 5,000 years to locations such as Scandinavia and China.
Today, modern skis, boots, and poles make the activity accessible to most people. Different techniques of skiing exist but all are fun and enjoyable methods to spend time during our short winter days. The cross-country ski relies on a grip zone on the bottom surface. This zone keeps the ski sliding forward and not backward. This grip is created either by ridges or scales built into the ski or by adding special waxes, giving rise to either waxless or waxed skis.
Cross-country skiing is considered an excellent cardiac sport, providing a good workout or you can take a more leisurely approach. If we get decent snowfall, there are many great places to ski in Scarborough. Scarborough Land Trust preserves such as Fuller Farm, Pleasant Hill, and Broadturn Farm provide miles of trails. More daring individuals can cut their own trail by leaving behind an established path. Many skiers find the act of breaking trail through new, deep snow one of the great joys of winter.
While on the trail this winter, take time to enjoy the peace and quiet of the landscape. This time of year, a blanket of snow adds to the stillness of the forest. Sounds of birds, water running under the ice, wind, and branches create a unique winter symphony.
Special Holiday Hours at the SLT Nature Store
The holiday season is a special time and we are stocking up in the Nature Store to help you celebrate. To make your holiday shopping experience easier, we will be open late on Friday, December 12th and 19th to 7 pm and open all day on Saturday, December 13th (9 am to 5 pm). The SLT Nature Store has a wide variety of cards, books, games, ornaments, stuffed animals, t-shirts, hats, and so much more. All sales benefit SLT’s conservation programs, making your holiday gift shopping even more special.
