Pam’s Perspective From the… Pam Otto is the Manager of Natural Programs and Interpretive Services for the St. Charles Park District December 7, 2012 I will always remember my first encounter with witch hazel. I was about six years old and, for whatever reason, running headlong around my parents’ house. Eyes down, arms outstretched, I
Plant, Tree, Witch Hazel
Pam’s Perspective From the… Pam Otto is the Manager of Natural Programs and Interpretive Services for the St. Charles Park District November 30, 2012 Well, it happened again. Without even trying, we’ve managed to add yet another live animal to the displays at the Hickory Knolls Discovery Center. Some of you may remember the story
Reptile, Snake, Visitor
Pam’s Perspective From the… Pam Otto is the Manager of Natural Programs and Interpretive Services for the St. Charles Park District November 16, 2012 Well I’ll be a monkey’s…aunt? The relationship part of that saying doesn’t really apply to this week’s column, but the monkey part sure does. Last week we took a crack at
Building, Monkey House, Walls
Pam’s Perspective From the… Pam Otto is the Manager of Natural Programs and Interpretive Services for the St. Charles Park District November 9, 2012 The Hickory Knolls Natural Area contains some of the most ecologically diverse terrain within the St. Charles Park District. Woodlands, wetlands, prairies–including a rare hill prairie–make up these 130 acres just
Building, Monkey House, Walls
Pam’s Perspective From the… Pam Otto is the Manager of Natural Programs and Interpretive Services for the St. Charles Park District November 2, 2012 Wow. The facts blowing around in the aftermath of superstorm Sandy are staggering. The massive weather event took at least 160 human lives in the U.S. and Caribbean, knocked out power
Bird, Eastern Wood Pewee, Fly, Migration
Pam’s Perspective From the… Pam Otto is the Manager of Natural Programs and Interpretive Services for the St. Charles Park District October 26, 2012 On a walk the other day in the Hickory Knolls Natural Area, something big happened: I struck oil. Really. Well, to be more specific, the “strike” was actually more of a
Beetle, Blister Beetle, Oil Beetle
Pam’s Perspective From the… Pam Otto is the Manager of Natural Programs and Interpretive Services for the St. Charles Park District October 19, 2012 I think it’s safe to say, we are well acquainted with the practice of hosting visitors, and try to give each and every one the experience they desire. But lately, some
Bat, Bugs, Frog, Insect, Visitors
October 5, 2012 Wahoo! Fall color is at its peak here in the TriCities! The leaves changed a few weeks earlier this year, no doubt a sign of the stressful conditions our trees and shrubs endured during the 2012 Drought. But, cause aside, vibrant hues of crimson, gold and luscious brown greet us each day
Fall, Flowering, Shrub, Wahoo
September 28, 2012 Stink. Rarely does this word inspire confidence or garner support. But sometimes, it’s just what a garden needs. The other day my cell phone buzzed, signaling that I had received a text message. It was from my friend Tim, a.k.a. Park Safety Officer Tim Timberlake. Gifted with an eye for the out-of-the-ordinary,
Bug, Insect, Stinkbugs
