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: Mistletoe
Mistletoe is a plant we often don’t think about or even consider decorating our homes with until this time of year, but the Central Highlands are full of it all year long. The most common mistletoe you’ll see here is Phoradendron coryae, Cory’s Mistletoe, that grows...
Fresh Air Moments: Winogradsky Column
One area of study in aquatic ecology is microbiology. Microorganisms living in and around water systems are foundational and interesting. One of the ways to see evidence of this life is by studying biofilms, substances created by the microbes to live in colonies and...
Fresh Air Moments: Spring Spectacular Challenge- Mammals playing a role in Seed Distribution!
Spring is spectacular. What can you check off your list? Jessie, Education Coordinator, found some hitchhiking seeds. That checks off #8 on her Spring Spectacular Challenge list. featured image: gardenerdy.com
Fresh Air Moments: Guess the Tree
For today’s Fresh Air Moment, take a close look at the bark of this tree. Can you guess what type of tree this is? The bark conserves water and protects the tree’s essential living systems from temperature extremes and storms. Bark also transports food and water...
Fresh Air Moments: Bigger is not Always Better with Arizona Plants
This Fresh Air Moment features why bigger isn’t always better here in Arizona. For this activity go outside and take a close look at the leaves on the trees. Are the leaves big or small, long and thin or big and wide? Feel free to record you observations of the...
Fresh Air Moments: A Central Highland Food Web
Watch this video to learn about how energy is transferred with a couple of native organisms in the Central Highlands. Check back soon to see more on the topic! This fresh air moment was inspired by Humboldt 2nd grade. During this time of year, we usually run Habitat...
Fresh Air Moments: Tapping into Nature’s Genius
Lotus leaves inspired the umbrella, bird wings inspired the plane, and the Burdock plant inspired velcro. These are some of the earliest examples of biomimicry. “Biomimicry is the conscious emulation of nature’s genius” says Erin Rovalo, a design consultant and a...
Fresh Air Moments: Advice From a Tree
Do you ever find yourself wondering if a tree could give advice, what kind of advice would it give to you?Well here are some words of wisdom written by author Ilan Shamir. Take a moment and enjoy thisbreath of fresh air from our education team here at the Highlands...
Fresh Air Moments: How Does Water Travel Through Leaves?
Have you ever wondered how water travels through leaves? Let’s find out with these easy steps: • Step 1 - Take a short walk outside, and pick three to five leaves from different trees. Try your best to collect leaves of different shapes and sizes.• Step 2 - Bring...
