Blog

During my years in high school I found sanctuary by volunteering weekly to feed the snakes at Teatown. I looked forward to my volunteer time. It kept me busy, I met new people, it gave me the opportunity to learn new things and gain skills and experience.

It is with sadness that Teatown says goodbye to Walter, our legendary, Raptor Loop vulture.

’Tis the season of change. None more than the change from winter to spring is more anticipated; weary of old snow and brown stalks, I look forward to the start of sugaring season to brighten my days.

Our furry four-legged friends are more than just that. They are companions and family. We enjoy sharing activities like walking and hiking with them. Unfortunately, dogs go wherever and whenever they need.

In 2010, a children’s garden was dedicated to the memory of Cindy O’Hanley, a cherished volunteer Nature Guide and leader of Teatown’s Little Tree Huggers and Knee Hi Nature groups. “Mrs. O” shared her love of nature and, especially, plants with many budding naturalists. By 2018, the wood used to build the raised beds and the bench were succumbing to rot.

The common hackberry (Celtis occidentalis) is an understated and unsung hero of the local landscape. Beautiful, hardy, and beneficial—this tree offers much to the homeowner, city dweller, and wild creatures alike!

The view from my window shows a season of change. Bees picking up tiny suitcases of pollen drone past, too busy at work to pay me any mind. The butterfly bush attracts great spangled fritillary and monarch butterflies that land and flutter like showy baubles. Before the monarchs move south on their long journey to Mexico, Teatown educators join thousands of other citizen scientist volunteers across the country that catch, tag, and release monarchs as part of Monarch Watch.

After 25 consecutive years at Teatown’s Natural Science Summer Day Camp, first as a camper, then as a counselor and now as health director, 2020 became the summer without camp. As the world struggled with the COVID-19 pandemic, Teatown made the difficult decision to cancel summer camp.

At Cliffdale Farm we like to live on the edge—the forest edge. Day hikers and community members visiting Teatown’s meadows might notice some changes where the high grasses meet the tall trees.

Teatown was proud to “reveal” and celebrate the completion of our Wildflower Woods Wetland Restoration Project on July 15, 2021. This multi-year project was the result of a successful collaboration among Teatown stewardship staff, environmental engineering and landscaping professionals, and funders, including the Land Trust Alliance and a generous anonymous donor from the larger Teatown community.

June 21-27 was National Pollinator Week.  This international event celebrates and supports pollinator health and spreads the word about what we can do to protect them. Why should we take an active role in the health and well being of pollinators?  Simply put, their existence is critical to the health of the Earth’s ecosystems.