Fresh Air Moments
The Highlands Center For Natural History is committed to staying connected with you and the natural world. Everyday for as long as our public programs are postponed or cancelled, our education staff will be sharing place-based nature and science-related posts. These posts are intended to be interactive, shared, and to be a resource for all people. These “Fresh Air Moments” are our way of encouraging everyone to take a moment outside everyday – on your porch, in your backyard, walking on the sidewalk, or on local trails like here at the Highlands Center.
Fresh Air Moments: What on Earth is the Winter Solstice?
Earth has seasons because it is tilted by 23.5º. Earth's axis is always pointed in the same direction, so it changes the orientation and angles between the Earth and the Sun, and different parts of Earth get the Sun's direct rays throughout the year. The tilt affects...
Fresh Air Moments: The Role of Soil
“All the world is a stage… and soil is the star.” In any ecosystem, soils have 5 key roles to play. First, soil supports the growth of plants. Mainly by providing support to the roots and nutrients to the entire plant.Second, soil properties are the main factors in...
Fresh Air Moments: Arizona’s Public Lands
This “Breath of Fresh Air” features a few photos of why we love our Public Lands. Today is Public Lands Day, and there are many unique places in Arizona to celebrate and enjoy. At the Highlands Center, trails and parking are free! Come and enjoy the manzanitas in...
Fresh Air Moments: What’s the Word on Worms?
“Worms are the intestines of the Earth” – Aristotle The basic building blocks of soil are rocks, broken down over time into ever smaller pieces. But in order to be built into soil, it needs the builders. Enter the earthworm! EVERYBODY knows earthworms. Most of us...
Fresh Air Moments: Moon Phases
This “Breath of Fresh Air” features the moon, and how to track the phases of the moon for the monthof April. Have you ever wondered why does the moon have phases? The moon has phases as it orbits earth, causing the position we see illuminated to change fromphase to...
Fresh Air Moments: What’s the Scoop on Soil?
There are 3 main components to think about: texture, structure, and color. The grains and particles that make up soil are categorized into three groups by size: sand, silt, and clay. Sand particles are the largest and clay particles the smallest. Most soils are a...
Fresh Air Moments: Super Soil
“We know more about the celestial bodies overhead than we do the soil underfoot” – Leonardi Da Vinci “Dirt don’t hurt!” – Jessie, Education Coordinator for HCNH It is so easy to forget that right underfoot is a whole world, complete with neighborhoods, methods of...
