December 2014

Welcome to my photoblog on: 

Howell Woods Environmental Learning Center

Presentation to Board of Directors Soil and Water Conservation Johnston County November 2014.

My name is James. I am a senior at South Johnston High School in Benson, NC.

I love the outdoors and plan to attend college majoring in environmental science or biotechnology. I'm not positive as to my major as of this moment, but conservation is also high on my list. We inherited a pristine planet. It is my hope that we leave our planet clean, healthy and rich with resources for future generations. Please consider voting for politicians that are environmentally conscious. 

Happy Holidays Everyone!!! See you in 2015.

It's hard to believe how quickly 2014 has flown by.  It's been a busy but very rewarding year.

I want to take this opportunity thank all of you that have visited my blog throughout the year.
I hope you have found at least part of the info I've posted to be helpful. I am always open to
suggestions and comments. Thank you to those who have reached out to me with suggestions
over this last year. I appreciate it. Keep the suggestions coming.

Thank you as well to everyone that has liked my facebook fan page for Howell Woods.
Likes are a good way for me to track if my posts are reaching folks.

 https://www.facebook.com/pages/Photoblog-By-James-Howell-Woods/233829593470397

Thank you most of all to everyone at Howell Woods, for sharing your time, your knowledge
and information with me. Jordan, Steve, Mike, Peyton and Brittany, you guys are great. Thank you.
This volunteering experience has helped to confirm that I am on the right career path. I hope to
continue volunteering as long as you'll have me.

In the upcoming year I have some format changes and some new features planned for this blog so please check back to see the improvements.


"Have a great day, spend it outdoors!"
James


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To learn more about Howell Woods, please see my previous posts for info, photos, and videos. If you've never been to Howell Woods I hope this blog will peak your interest enough that you will visit. It is a treasure located in Johnston County and one of my favorite places.

 

To visit the Howell Woods website, click on the link below of contact Director, Jordan Astoske.

http://www.johnstoncc.edu/howellwoods

Jordan Astoske
Director of Howell Woods
jtastoske@johnstoncc.edu
(919) 938-0115 ext. 221 



_________________________

December 2014

I thought it only fitting to end the year review with a couple of quotes taken from my interview with director of Howell Woods, Jordan Astoske.  Jordan says it best.

"...Not many people know what, where, or who we are.  The biggest thing that people can do for us is to be advocates for us. Spread the word. Tell your friends and family about us."

In addition, I'd like to share photos from 2014. Click on the side bar to see the entire blog for each month if you've missed one or would just like to revisit. Better still, plan a visit to Howell Woods and bring a friend or family member. Perhaps organize a group trip. You'll be glad you did.

January - The Raptor Center

February - Howell Woods Facilities and Activities

March - Trail Video and Snow Photos

April - Woodstock 2014

May - Trail Video and photos of vegetable garden, plant and animal life around Howell Woods

June - Hummingbirds and updated vegetable garden photos

July - Canoe Trip Video - Reptile and Amphibians

August - Ticks

September - Native Plants

October - Native Pests

November - Museum and caretaker Brittany Brenner

November 2014

Welcome to my photoblog on: 

Howell Woods Environmental Learning Center

My name is James. I am a senior at South Johnston High School in Benson, NC.
I love the outdoors and plan to make a career out of environmental science or biotechnology. I'm not positive as to my major as of this moment, but conservation is high on my list. We inherited a pristine planet. It is my hope that we leave our planet clean, healthy and rich with resources for future generations. Please consider voting for politicians that are environmentally conscious. I plan to utilize technology, social media and photography in hopes to inspire and motivate others to get outdoors, to enjoy and treasure the many diverse resources this state has to offer. It is a concern to me that people my age seem less interested in being outdoors and enjoying nature. Sure we have many involved in team sports, and that is great, but what about our state parks and places like Howell Woods?

We are becoming a society that is heavily influenced by social media. Most everyone today is involved in some form of social media be it for personal or business purposes. My thought is to engage others on this social platform for the benefit of our natural resources and our state parks. It is also a way for me to share my love of nature with others. So I hope you enjoy my photoblog on Howell Woods. I plan to start other photoblogs featuring different NC State Parks in the near future.

If you've been to my photoblog before, welcome back.  If this is your first time visiting my photoblog, thanks for stopping by and please follow me on facebook for updates.  Below there's the link to my facebook.

 https://www.facebook.com/pages/Photoblog-By-James-Howell-Woods/233829593470397

To learn more about Howell Woods, please see my previous posts for info, photos, and videos.If you've never been to Howell Woods I hope this blog will peak your interest enough that you will visit. It is a treasure located in Johnston County and one of my favorite places.

 

To visit the Howell Woods website, click on the link below.

http://www.johnstoncc.edu/howellwoods

Jordan Astoske
Director of Howell Woods
jtastoske@johnstoncc.edu
(919) 938-0115 ext. 221 


"Have a great day, spend it outdoors!"
James

All photos were taken by and are copyright property of James and Wade Giddens
_________________________

November 2014

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
Hope everyone that reads my blog will find that they personally have much to be grateful for.

Please visit again. Next month will feature a year end review and highlight of many of my favorite things I wrote about and experienced at Howell Woods in 2014.

November is almost over, it's been a very busy month for me, still I wanted to post the latest entry to my blog. This month as promised I thought it would be good to get a behind the scenes look at Howell Woods by interviewing Brittany Brenner. I interview Jordan as well and will post his comments in a future blog.

Brittany is the Museum caretaker and program instructor. She owned a pet shop prior to coming to Howell Woods. This experience gives her a great deal of practical experience and "hands on" knowledge. Brittany has only been at Howell Woods for a couple of years yet she has made big impression and great improvements. The first noticeable thing to me personally is how awesome the tanks look. Brittany immediately noticed the bulbs in the reptile and amphibian tanks needed to be brighter and warmer. Basking bulbs were put in to help keep the temperatures up and the brighter lights made everything more visible. Next she went tank by tank redecorating with plants, rocks, interesting vines and odd limbs and branches. One of the tanks even has a trickling water fall. There also also better tags on each tank to help identify the animals within. Over all it is a huge improvement. I think the animals are happier too. GREAT Job Brittany!!!

The museum as well has experienced a facelift. Too many things to mention but these improvements are very noticeable. One of the big additions is the a large screen TV that shows a learning program to help educate school groups. Another large upcoming addition will be a large aquarium that will display native fish and plants. We're looking forward to that. The smaller improvements can be found

in the details. Hand painted animal tracks on the floor in the museum are labeled to help educate youth and adults alike to identify some familiar animal footprints that are native to this area. Charts and molds of tracks are displayed. All these fun things that allow visitors to engage and learn.

The bird enclosures have also seen improvements. Additional perches were put in all enclosures.

I think this allows the birds a more comfortable environment and more visibility as well.

In addition to all these tasks Brittany is program director. She leads many educational programs.

Howell Woods also offers many different recreational activities. Brittany helps lead a lot of kayak and canoe trips, field trips for children and educational programs on weekends.  

Howell Woods accepts volunteers and Brittany can always use help cleaning animal tanks, bird enclosures and especially cleaning the bird gravel. Call to schedule time to volunteer.

Thank you Brittany for all you do at Howell Woods. If you have any questions, I am adding Brittany's contact info below.

Brittany Brenner
Museum Caretaker-Educational Instructor
bgbrenner@johnstoncc.edu
(919) 938-0115 ext. 225

I am attaching current photos from the museum. I will try to post before photos in the near future. 

I am sure you will be able to notice a big difference. Below the photos,  I am listing upcoming events. Be sure to check out Howell Woods new website and VISIT Howell Woods in person. You'll be glad you did. Tell all your friends about Howell Woods.

 

Rabbit

Adult Deer and Fawn

Squirrel

Woodchuck

Mouse

Fox

Weasel

Coyote

Wolf

Black Bear

Skunk

Armadillo

Rat

Raccoon

Cougar

Beaver

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We've just posted our new schedule for spring programs.

Sub Concrete for Trees

Howell Woods Nature Center Classroom
Saturday, November 29, 2014, 9 – 11am

It's no secret that the world is losing precious habitats to sky scrapers and strip malls. Learn about ways habitat destruction affects us locally, as well as the consequences to the wildlife in these areas. What can you do to stop habitat destruction? Find out in this class!

To register for an event contact Jordan Astoske jtastoske@johnstoncc.edu (919) 938-0115.

Introduction to Map and Compass

Howell Woods Nature Center Classroom
Saturday, December 13, 2014, 9am – 12pm

This is a great opportunity for anyone interested in learning how to navigate through the wilderness using only a compass and map. Students will gain an understanding of map scale and how to follow a determined route using a map and compass.

Snakes of North Carolina

Howell Woods Nature Center Classroom
Saturday, January 17, 2015, 9 – 11am

Discover the beauty behind our slithery friends here at Howell Woods. We will discuss the importance of snakes to our ecosystem, diet, habitat, and how to identify venomous species. We have plenty of snakes on exhibit; one in particular that will be participating in our program! $15.

To register please contact Jordan Astoske, jtastoske@johnstoncc.edu or call the Learning Center (919) 938-0115.