NEWS

One of the many things I love about the start of fall is that it’s also caterpillar time! Though you can find caterpillars through the spring and summer, in my experience, they seem to be most abundant in fall. Fortunately, caterpillar season corresponds with the Museum’s annual BugFest event. For many years my coworkers and… Read More >

(RALEIGH, N.C.) — Take A Child Outside Week, an international initiative spearheaded by the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, kicks off Thursday, Sept. 24 and runs through Wednesday, Sept. 30. Designed to help break down obstacles that keep children from exploring the natural world, the program encourages children and adults to spend time together… Read More >

By Beth Cranford, Coordinator for the Windows on the World, and Jess Wackes, PR & Marketing Coordinator Let’s get outside! It’s early autumn, and with sunshine and crisp air, it’s time to get yourself and your family outside to enjoy it! Take A Child Outside Week is September 24 through 30, so think about great… Read More >

Megan Chesser Davis (left) and Melissa Dowland. Photo: Mike Dunn. (Raleigh) — NC Museum of Natural Sciences’ Teacher Education Coordinator Melissa Dowland and Teacher Education Specialist Megan Chesser Davis received the 2020 Exceptional Environmental Education Program Award today. The award was presented by the Environmental Educators of North Carolina (EENC), the state’s professional organization for environmental educators, for… Read More >

The sourwood (Oxydendrum arboreum) is one of my favorite trees in the hardwood forests of North Carolina. It is in the heath family (Ericaceae), which includes azaleas, rhododendrons, mountain laurel and blueberries. Sourwood trees are small when compared to the towering tulip trees, beeches, oaks and hickories that often overshadow them. Attaining heights of 30-50… Read More >