Happy Indigenous Peoples' Day from PWC

This Indigenous Peoples’ Day, we at Piedmont Wildlife Center are reflecting on the history of the land where we run our programs.

Leigh Farm Park and its surrounding neighborhoods in Durham are located on Lumbee, Tuscarora, Cheraw, Catawba, Saponi, Occaneechi, Eno, and Shakori land. We strive to share this history with our staff and campers, amplify the stories of the Indigenous and enslaved peoples who cared for this land in the past, and continue learning about the park’s legacy as we move forward with a vision of justice and inclusivity.

We owe a debt of gratitude to these and other Indigenous communities. Many of the survival skills, stories, naturalist knowledge, and nature connection practices we teach in our programs have roots in Indigenous cultures from North Carolina and around the world. We also recognize and celebrate the contributions Indigenous scientists, conservationists, and activists continue to make to the field of conservation.

We believe that Indigenous practices must play a role in any truly sustainable solution to our current environmental crisis. We strive to honor their wisdom and leadership by instilling a deep connection with nature in all who participate in our programs.

Learn more about Indigenous communities in the Durham, NC area – and discover whose land you live on – with the resources on our “Land Context” page.

4 Ways to Celebrate the Autumn Equinox

Happy fall, y’all! Here in the Northern Hemisphere, today (September 22nd) is the autumn equinox, which officially marks the start of fall.

The autumn and spring equinoxes are the only times of year when the Earth is not tilting towards or away from the sun - which means we get an (almost) equal amount of day and night! In many traditional cultures, the equinox also coincides with the start of the fall harvest. This makes it a perfect day to practice gratitude, celebrate the balance found in natural ecosystems, and deepen our connection to nature and each other.

Need some ideas for welcoming autumn? You’ll “fall” in love with these 4 easy ways to celebrate the equinox:

1. Cook a meal with seasonal veggies

Pumpkin, apples, sweet potatoes… Like Pepper the Virginia opossum (above), we can’t get enough of fall vegetables! Take advantage of this season’s bounty by challenging yourself to cook with fresh produce currently in season. You can even try your hand at foraging wild edible plants to include in your creations.

Better yet, invite your friends and family to a potluck harvest dinner. Bonus points if it ends with s’mores around a campfire!

2. Commit to making your yard an autumn haven for wildlife

We recently shared some of our favorite ways to support birds during fall migration - but our non-migratory wild neighbors need help, too! Help provide food and shelter for native wildlife by leaving dead plants, leaf litter, and flowering plants’ seed heads instead of removing them. You have our permission to get lazy with your yardwork!

Did you know that fall is an ideal time to plant perennials, especially here in NC? Planting in early autumn gives plants a couple months of warm soil temperatures to get established before going dormant for winter. If you’re trying to include more native plants in your garden (and you should!), this is a great time to get started.

3. Start a gratitude practice

Who says you have to wait for Thanksgiving to be thankful? At PWC, our staff members begin every meeting by sharing one thing we’re grateful for. Start your own gratitude practice by taking time every day to reflect on the positive things, people, animals, and experiences in your life.

Need extra motivation? Research suggests that practicing gratitude is associated with higher levels of happiness, better resilience, and even improved health.

4. Spend time connecting with nature

It may be 95 F here in Durham today - but cooler weather is coming! Between migrating birds, colorful leaves, and milder temperatures, fall is the perfect time to enjoy nature. Plan an outing to your favorite park or wild place this weekend. Then visit again later in the fall, and see how things have changed!

Looking for a more structured way to connect with nature and wildlife? Break out your camera, sketchbook, or paint for Wild Canvas next Thursday, September 29th, where you can meet your favorite Ambassador Animals up close and practice your art while learning about native NC wildlife. Or sign up for one of our autumn Birds of Prey Tours on September 26th, October 5th, or November 8th!

However you celebrate the start of fall, we hope the new season “leaves” you with lots of warm memories and a deepened connection to nature. Happy autumn equinox from your friends at PWC!

Help PWC keep shoes out of landfills!

It's time to give that pile of worn-out shoes the "boot"! Now through the end of 2022, help PWC save some lost "soles" from the landfill - while also raising money for conservation, citizen science, and outdoor education!

We've partnered with sneaker recycling company GotSneakers to collect athletic shoes for recycling. Simply drop off your used sneakers in the collection bin at PWC (or send them with your kid to camp) and we'll send them off to be repurposed or recycled! Even better, PWC will receive a small donation from GotSneakers for every pair in recyclable, fair, good, or excellent condition.

All conditions and brands accepted. Only athletic shoes, please. No dress shoes, heels, rain boots, sandals, slip-ons, water shoes, wedges, or work boots. Please note: we can only accept shoes in pairs.

How to find us: PWC is located in Leigh Farm Park (364 Leigh Farm Road, Durham, NC). When you arrive, please park in the main parking lot. Walk down the paved road past the staff gate, the visitors center, and the historic farmhouse, and follow the path as it curves to the right into the woods. PWC is located in the historic cabin, just past the staff parking lot. You’ll find a blue collection bin on the front porch of the cabin!

This fall migration, be a good bird neighbor

They’re coming this way… migrating birds, that is!

Fall migration is in full swing in many parts of the United States. Here in North Carolina, we’re already starting to see migratory birds flying through as they head to their winter destinations. Be a good bird neighbor this fall by following these 3 tips:

#1: Lights out for migration

Did you know many songbirds migrate at night? These travelers use the stars to keep themselves on course. Light pollution from towns and cities can disorient them and even lead to fatal collisions with buildings.

Luckily, you can help! Participate in Audubon’s #LightsOut initiative by keeping your curtains/blinds closed at night and turning off unnecessary lights (especially upward-facing outdoor lights) at your home and office from September 10-November 30.

#2: Window decals prevent collisions

Windows make great bird-watching spots, but they can be deadly for birds. More than 100 million birds die each year after flying into glass, which they have difficulty seeing. Help keep them safe by sticking decals on your windows, no more than 2-4 inches apart. (Great excuse to put up some early holiday decorations!) You can also buy or make decals, films, tapes, and UV stickers specifically designed to deter birds.

Hate washing your windows? Good news: Dirty windows will do the trick, too!

#3: Learn about bird migration in your area

Fall and spring migrations are a great excuse to get into birding – and a great opportunity to see rare birds! Now through November 15th, use Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s BirdCast to see which birds are migrating through your area right now. Then break out your binoculars and head to your favorite outdoor spot to meet your town’s avian visitors!

Many local Audubon Societies and birding clubs will hold special field trips and meetups during migration season. This month in North Carolina, Audubon Society chapters are holding outdoor “watch parties” to view migrating chimney swifts’ incredible aerial displays. Here in Durham, you can join New Hope Audubon next Tuesday, Sept. 20th from 7-8:30 PM at the Durham Hotel to watch these incredible birds. View other “Swift Nights Out” across North Carolina here!

So turn out those lights, make those windows visible, and welcome our far-flung feathered friends this fall!

Registration is open for Woodland Afterschool!

School’s back in session - and afterschool is about to get WILD! Registration is now open for fall Woodland Afterschool at Piedmont Wildlife Center.

After a full day of learning, come join us at Leigh Farm Park in Durham to explore the natural world around us. We will use games and other experiential, hands-on activities to engage with concepts outlined by state science educational standards – all while spending time outside in the forest with fellow nature lovers!

Woodland Afterschool is offered Monday-Thursday, starting October 10th. Drop-off will be from 2:45-3:45 PM and pick-up will be from 5:15-5:30 PM. Parents may register their students for individual days of the week, or for the full week.

Bus transportation is available from Creekside, Club Boulevard, Morehead Montessori, and Pearsontown. For campers from other schools, we’re happy to connect families who want to carpool if there is sufficient interest.

We can’t wait for lots of autumn afterschool adventures! Learn more and register at the link below.