Mushrooms, coral, & Memorial Day

Our new conservation intern Ren recently came across a magnificent patch of “chicken of the woods” mushrooms (above) in the woods at Leigh Farm Park. This Memorial Day, Executive Director Karen McCall reflects on the connection between mushrooms, coral, and memory:

I have salt water in my blood. The ocean has always been a huge draw to me. My ancestors were sea captains. I lived on my own and worked sailboats in the Caribbean for several years, utilizing the wind, breathing the salt air, soaking up the sun, and snorkeling almost every day. The creatures that live in the sea captured my imagination, especially the corals. They are animals that are the structure for reefs teeming with life, vital to the Earth’s existence - and, consequently, ours. I miss the ocean and its creatures every day.

But then something magical happens here in the woods that connects me to the corals I long to see. Yesterday, our new summer conservation intern, Ren, came in from turtle-tracking excited because she stumbled upon a beautiful display of mushrooms! This beautiful sea of mushrooms Ren shared with us, was on land, growing near an oak tree in the woods not far from our office. The color, shape and size brought the vision of scroll coral into my mind. The mushroom’s fruiting body felt fleshy but firm. There were shallow grooves or wrinkles running from the edges to the base of the fan shaped cap. The underside was smooth as opposed to the gills like portabella or button mushrooms have. Breaking a piece apart revealed its similarity to cooked chicken. I could envision fish lurking under the “fan blades” just like they do with scroll coral. Memories of my time in the garden under the sea flashed through my mind as I soaked in this stunning mushroom. 

Then other memories flooded my mind. Memories of the many people with whom I shared snorkeling and diving outings in the Caribbean; of my ancestors who sailed the seas; of my Dad, who passed away a few years ago; and of my mentor, whose celebration of life I attended a couple of weeks ago. All species working together in the cycle of life, transforming into another, helping us give back, survive, connect.

We spread my Dad’s ashes in the ocean.

The mushrooms help break down trees that have passed.

My mentor, Peetie, had a house on the Neuse River. We went there one weekend, and I had the privilege to share our love of the water, the beaches, birds, trees. At Peetie’s service, her family passed out the Peetie Pledge with tips on recycling, green burial, and reusing items instead of discarding them so we can continue to care for and protect the earth so all species can survive.

Peetie continues to teach us, connect us...

As the coral connects us by absorbing carbon, harboring fish, sharing its beauty…

As the mushroom provides shelter and food for slugs, snails, turtles, insects, people, and transforms us into soil so we can bloom again. 

This Memorial Day, take a moment to look at the creatures, soil, sky, stars and clouds that surround us. See if you can feel the spirit of those who have gone on before us and continue to live on within us. Share your gratitude for all they did to protect us, sacrifice us, provide for us, and pave the way for us to have better lives, more opportunities, room to thrive.

We are all connected.

— Karen McCall, Executive Director

In Memory: Bellatrix the Great-Horned Owl

Sad news always seems to come in threes. We're heartbroken to share that Bella the great-horned owl passed away earlier this month on May 10th, 2023.

Bellatrix (Bella) was found in January 2014 in New Ellenton, SC, by the side of a road with a broken wing, likely from colliding with a car. Her injuries were treated at Carolina Raptor Center, but because she never fully regained her ability to fly, she could not be released. Bella arrived at Piedmont Wildlife Center in September 2014. Over the next 8 years, she helped teach thousands of students and adults about the great-horned owl's importance in North Carolina, and inspired awe in everyone who looked into those big yellow eyes.

In 2019, we noticed a suspicious plaque growing on the roof of Bella’s mouth. She was examined by multiple avian and exotic vets over the next several years, and underwent a variety of treatments to try to resolve the problem. Unfortunately, these treatments failed and we were never able to get a concrete diagnosis. By Spring 2023, her plaque had begun to spread and required twice-weekly removal by our staff to help her breathe and eat properly. Rather than put Bella through this stress indefinitely, we decided it was in her best interest to euthanize her before her quality of life declined further.

Most of our Ambassador Animals, including Bella, came to us from wildlife rehabilitators and other rescues. (Note: Piedmont Wildlife Center focuses on education and conservation, and does NOT rehabilitate injured or orphaned wildlife.) Their life histories before receiving treatment are usually unknown, and some have long-term health issues. It's our responsibility to give these beings the highest quality of life possible, from the minute they enter our care to their very last day with us.

We're able to provide this level of care because of YOUR support. Whether you worked with Bella as a volunteer, donated to our Wildlife Ambassador fund, or met her at a program, thank you for helping us tell her story, care for her, and keep her life interesting to the very end. If you would like to make a gift in Bella's memory, you may do so at the link below or at https://www.piedmontwildlifecenter.org/donate

Community Spotlight: Sarah Walker

If you’ve been to Leigh Farm Park lately, you may have noticed some impressive new additions to our camp circles and picnic area! These new benches and picnic tables are the handiwork of longtime Homeschool in the Wild camper and current CIT Sarah Walker, who generously made them for us as her Eagle Scout project. This month, we’re catching up with Sarah to celebrate her accomplishments, generosity, and love of nature!

 “PWC’s Homeschool in the Wild program taught me a plethora of outdoor skills,” Sarah says, including fire-starting, building survival shelters, finding food and water in the wilderness, and identifying local flora and fauna. “When Scouts BSA welcomed girls into its ranks in 2019, my PWC training made me feel very confident outdoors and eager to join. My PWC skills have enhanced my Scout skills and vice versa.”

Our staff were delighted when Sarah approached us with the idea of using her Eagle Scout project to benefit PWC. “My Eagle Scout project was dedicated to PWC,” she says, “as a thank-you for the many years of outdoor experience they’ve given me.” After several meetings with Executive Director Karen McCall, Sarah decided to build new seating for our camp circles at Leigh Farm Park. She also built new picnic tables for the picnic area near our Amphitheater. These included a much needed wheelchair-accessible table, the first of its kind in Leigh Farm Park.

In total, Sarah built 3 tables and 13 benches for us - and her hard work has already paid off. Since they were installed earlier this year, we’ve already seen visitors to Leigh Farm Park take advantage of the new accessible picnic table. And the new benches have been a hot commodity among our homeschool and intersession campers this spring!

In addition to being a Scout, Sarah is still an active part of PWC’s camp programs. “Currently,” she says, “I am serving as a CIT and passing down my knowledge and delight in the outdoors to younger generations of Piedmont campers. My goal is to give them the same enriching experience that I received and help them feel sure of their own skills in the wilderness.”

Sarah, we are so excited for you to get your well-deserved Eagle! We are so grateful for all the ways you go above and beyond to help others connect with nature. Congratulations and thank you! 

Triangle Turtle Trekkers on PBS North Carolina

The Sci NC team from PBS North Carolina visited Piedmont Wildlife Center last fall to profile our Triangle Turtle Trekkers project! Watch to learn how Kaitlin Saxton (Research & Husbandry Coordinator) and citizen scientists across the state are protecting eastern box turtles.

Want to get involved? Take our Triangle Turtle Trekkers survey by April 10th. Then learn how to take a great “shellfie" at the link below so you can help protect our state reptile, too!

In Memory: Pickles the Opossum

We are heartbroken to announce that Pickles, our younger female opossum, passed away suddenly on Tuesday, March 21st. In the wild, opossums only live about one year. While this is often the result of predators, they are also prone to health conditions that limit their lifespan.

Pickles came to PWC in August 2022 from Our Wild Neighbors. She immediately won over our staff and volunteers with her calm, gentle, and curious temperament. Even though she had a permanent injury to her paw, she was very active and enjoyed using her exercise wheel, taking walks outside in her harness, and climbing our staff to sit on their shoulders. (She was definitely a "shoulder opossum," and was known to grab staff members' shirts to "ask for" a ride!)

Pickles was also a wonderful ambassador for her species. Kids and adults who might have otherwise thought opossums are "dirty" or "scary" were charmed by her sweet demeanor and willingness to be pet. We're sure anyone who met Pickles walked away with a new appreciation for our misunderstood marsupial neighbors.

Even though she wasn't with us for very long, Pickles made a lasting impact on PWC, countless local elementary students, and our staff. We would love to hear your Pickles stories and see your photos of our sweet girl. If you would like to share, please e-mail conservation@piedmontwildlifecenter.org.

If you feel moved to make a donation in Pickles' memory to offset the cost of her veterinary care, please visit https://www.piedmontwildlifecenter.org/donate or click the button below.