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Eddie the crow stars in our new DVD, First Snow in the Woods: The Movie (watch the short movie trailer to see Eddie). Did you know that crows are smart?

I did some research online and discovered the fascinating article, “London Zoo: Crows are smart and social“.

Did you know that crows have been seen dropping food on with hard shells onto roads to let cars run over them to crack the shells, then going onto the road to retrieve them?

National Geographic has an informative article titled “Crows as Clever as Great Apes, Study Says“. The study notes that crows are social and have unusually large brains for their size. “It is relatively the same size as the chimpanzee brain,” the authors of the study said. 

The crow in the video below, “Crow Makes Tools”, fashions a hook out of a hairpin to get the food out of the tube!

Thank you to the Howell Nature Center for working with us during filming of First Snow in the Woods: The Movie and for allowing us to include Eddie, the wonderful crow.

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Carl R. Sams II and Jean Stoick are featured in the Healing Garden Journal.

Healing Garden Journal features an article about Carl and Jean titled “Carl R. Sams II and Jean Stoick: Photographers on a Mission of Hope“. The article is wonderfully written by Linda Hasley, Managing Editor for Healing Garden Journal.

Linda writes, “Upon meeting Carl and Jean, I immediately felt at ease, almost like a member of the family. Their rapport with each other was endearing and respectful as we sat down and talked about their lives together. 

Spending time with them, it became quite clear that they are most passionate about three things:  photography, wildlife and education.”

It’s a fantastic article. We thank Linda for writing it and helping spread the word about Carl and Jean’s work to teach children gentle lessons of nature.

View the full article.

Pick up a Copy of Healing Garden Journal
Healing Garden Journal is found in over 700 locations throughout the State of Michigan and beyond.

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The North Carolina Zoo in Asheboro is now our nation’s largest. The zoo expanded to more than 2,000 acres with the acquisition of 322 acres of Randolph County forestland.

“The zoo is excited to protect this biologically significant land for educational and trail purposes and thanks the N.C. Natural Heritage Trust Fund, PLC and the Wards for their tireless efforts to make it happen,” said Mary Joan Pugh, the zoo’s chief of staff.

The North Carolina Zoo is one large zoo! I visited the 125 acre Detroit Zoo this past February and was very impressed. The rhinos were frisky, running and chasing each other, and tossing snow in the air with their horns. I had never seen rhinos so energetic!

I agree with the North Carolin Zoo’s conservation ethic posted on their website, as it follows our goals to teach children gentle lessons of nature: “From our very inception, conservation has been central to the mission of the North Carolina Zoo…Internationally, we work to protect animal habitats and help people understand the value of wild animals and wild places.”

Learn more about the North Carolina Zoo expansion.

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Here’s a video of a skunk with a peanut butter jar stuck on it’s head being rescued in Grand Junction, Colorado. The Huffington Post has an informative article about it here.

I like happy endings. I’m relieved the skunk was rescued and set free.

It makes me wonder if I should be leaving the tops on jars I put out in my recycle bin. I think I will from now on. How about you?

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What do bullfrogs eat? Do you know the answer? I thought I did until I watched this amazing video by National Geographic. It turns out that bullfrogs eat a lot more than just insects.

Did you know that bullfrogs also eat birds? Watch the video!

To teach kids more about frogs and other wildlife, be sure to check out our children’s books and movies that teach gentle lessons of nature.

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I came across this unbelievable story, “Golden Eagle attacks White-tailed Deer at Nachusa Grasslands!”, and series of amazing photographs on the Illinois Birders’ Forum. A golden eagle attacks a running white tail deer and the drama is captured by a photographer.

Don’t worry, the deer is fine. The story and photos are amazing. Learn more.

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Celebrate National Wildlife Week March 15-21 and get children outside. The National Wildlife Federation offers a number of outdoor activities for children.

If you are a teacher, look over our Lost in the Wood and Stranger in the Woods Curriculum Guides. Each guide contains 54 fun-filled activity pages plus 12 additional “project cards” with great ideas for bringing Lost in the Woods and Stranger in the Woods to life in the classroom.

The challenging activities in the guides were developed to meet the Michigan Education Assessment Program’s (MEAP) requirements in Language Arts, Science, Math, Music or Art.

And finally, Crayola offers some fun activities for kids during National Wildlife Week. Enjoy and please comment to keep us informed about your activities.

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Neighboring Kensington Metro Park and our backyard are overrun with all kinds of squirrels. Photo by Carl R. Sams II

Have you ever wondered why there are so many squirrels in your yard?

Milena Shattuck and Scott Williams, doctoral candidates in anthropology, have found that tree-dwelling mammals live longer than those who live on the ground. Humans are an exception, but tree-dwelling ancestors may explain that.

View the article, “Tree-dwelling mammals climb to the heights of longevity“, in PhysOrg.com. It explains why we see so many squirrels scampering around our yards and neighborhoods.

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My aunt, a retired elementary school teacher, sent me this cute video of two baby moose with their mother playing in a sprinkler in Anchorage, Alaska.

I hope it adds some humor to your day.

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