Environmental Programs at the Kathleen Clay Library

Save the Date:
Apr 6 - Earth Day – Free eco-fun event for all ages. Come enjoy hands-on nature/technology/STEM exhibits, alternative vehicles, eco-art, nature crafts, face painting, hay-rides, live animals, scout activities, and a Tiny House exhibit. 1 – 5 pm. Contact melanie.buckingham@greensboro-nc.gov to exhibit.



Wed, Jan 2 - Blessing from the Earth: Native American Uses of Wild Plants - Plant ecologist Lisa Lofland Gould will look at many wild plants used by the eastern tribes, and describe some of the challenges in using “wild” medicines. This program is sponsored by the Triad Chapter of the Native Plant Society.
7 – 8:30 pm

Wed, Jan 9 – Introduction to Nature Photography - The Triad Outdoor Photographers will host an exhibit of their nature photography beginning January 9th at the Kathleen Clay Library. They will host share tips and techniques for beginners and more advanced photographers (about) the art of nature photography. 7 – 8 pm.

Thur, Jan 10 – Wetlands - Malcolm Schug Ph.D., Associate Head from the Biology Department of UNCG will speak about the results from UNCG’s constructed wetlands. This program is sponsored by the T. Gilbert Pearson Audubon Society. 7 – 8:30 pm

Mon, Jan 14 - Planning the 3 Season Vegetable Garden – Vegetable gardening is especially productive in the Piedmont because we can grow food at least 10 months of the year. Master Gardeners will teach about planning and succession planting,   To register, call 336-641-2400.  6:30 – 7:30 pm

Thur, Jan 17 – Sparrow Swap – Sparrow Swap Project Manager, Suzanne Hartley will discuss how citizen scientists monitor nest boxes, record their observations, remove invasive house sparrow eggs, and then send the eggs to the NC Museum of Natural Sciences for research.  This program is sponsored by the Piedmont Bird Club. 7 – 8:30 pm

Fri, Jan 18 – Red Tails in Love: A Wildlife Drama in Central Park – Discover New York's Central Park through the story of nature lovers devoted to observing and protecting the park's rich wildlife. Delight in how these people are transformed into obsessed hawkwatchers and be inspired by their stories. This program is sponsored by the Green Reads Book Club. Pick up a copy of the book at the branch prior to the program. 12 – 1 pm.

Thur & Fri, Jan 24 & 25 – Methods of Teaching Environmental Education – Sarah Yelton, Environmental Education Coordinator for the UNC Institute for the Environment will facilitate this 10 hour workshop. Receive credit towards the NC Environmental Education Certification and CEU credits. To register, e-mail melanie.buckingham@greensboro-nc.gov .

Sun, Jan 27 – Beginning Birder Workshop - Dennis Burnette will lead a program about how to identify birds. Practice bird identification in the park. Supervised older children are welcome. This program is sponsored by the T. Gilbert Pearson Audubon Society and the Piedmont Bird Club. 2:30 – 4:30 pm

Mon, Jan 28 – Proper Pruning Prevents Poor Plant Performance – Master Gardeners will teach about the tools, techniques, and especially the timing for pruning small ornamental trees and shrubs. Learn how to have healthier, prettier and longer-lived plants. To register, call 336-641-2400. 6:30 – 7:30 pm

Wed, Feb 6 - Nothing is Forever: A Brief Look at Native Annuals, Biennials, and Short Lived Perennials - Lynda Waldrep will provide a brief look at native annuals, biennials and short-lived perennials. This program is sponsored by the Triad Chapter of the Native Plant Society. 7 – 8:30 pm

Wed, Feb 13 – Totally Tomatoes – Time to start planning for tomatoes. Master Gardeners will share tips and techniques for your own home-grown tomatoes. To register, call 336-641-2400. 6:30 – 7:30 pm

Thur, Feb 14 – Invasive Plants - Lisa Lofland Gould, Plant Ecologist and former Coordinator of the Rhode Island Invasive Species Council will speak about how to tackle invasive plants in your own backyard. This program is sponsored by the T. Gilbert Pearson Audubon Society. 7 – 8:30 pm

Fri, Feb 15 – The Hidden Life of Trees – Forester Peter Wohlleben, relies upon on groundbreaking scientific research to describe how trees are like human families and shares his love of trees and forests. This program is sponsored by the Green Reads Book Club. Pick up a copy of the book at the branch. 12 – 1 pm

Mon, Feb 18 – Beautiful and Sustainable Lawns – Discover how to have a sustainable lawn by using good growing practices all year, to save you time and money as well as reducing environmental impact. Master Gardeners will share how to have a healthy stand of grass and minimize issues with weeds and diseases. To register, call 336-641-2400. 6:30 – 7:30 pm

Thur, Feb 21 – North Carolina’s Bird List - Nate Swick, editor of The American Birding Association Blog, social media manager for the ABA, and host of the ABA’s American Birding Podcast will explore the past, the present, and make wild and not so wild guesses about the future of North Carolina's bird list. This program is sponsored by the Piedmont Bird Club. 7 – 8:30 pm

Fri, Feb 22 - Radical Waste Reduction Program: A Beginner’s Guide to Zero Waste Living - If you try and make this significant of a life change happen immediately, chances are, it won’t stick. So if you’re any bit interested in living a zero or less waste lifestyle, Laine Roberts, Recycling Education Specialist will share some key things to keep in mind when starting this journey. 12:30 – 1:30 pm

Wed, Feb 27 – Film and Discussion  - Homecoming is the first film to explore the rural roots of African American life. There are only 18,000 Black farmers left in America and it is predicted there will be none in the next century. This film argues that Black farms, though small in number today, can continue to provide African Americans with a sense of cultural stability and family unity into the 21st Century.  7 – 8:30 pm

Mon, Mar 4 - Grow Your Best Vegetable Garden – Master Gardeners will teach how to prepare the soil, the selection and timing of vegetable varieties, good upkeep, and integrated pest management. To register, call 336-641-2400.  6:30 – 7:30 pm

Wed, Mar 6 – Trillium - Mark Rose, an expert on orchids, trillium and ginger species will share about the variety of NC trillium species, where they grow and their individual requirements to be grown successfully. This program is sponsored by the Triad Chapter of the Native Plant Society. 7 – 8:30 pm

Thur, Mar 14 – Bird of the Year - Curtis Smalling, Director of Bird Conservation, Audubon North Carolina will speak about why this year’s bird was chosen. This program is a joint program sponsored by the T. Gilbert Pearson Audubon Society and the Piedmont Bird Club. 7 – 8:30 pm

Mon, Mar 18 – Made in the Shade - Master Gardeners will discuss a variety of shrubs, annuals, perennials, and woodland plants that will brighten and add color to your shady areas. To register, call 336-641-2400. 6:30 – 7:30 pm

Tues, Mar 19 – Women’s History Month Stroll - Bring your daughter, mother or a friend, nibble on a trail snack, and enjoy a stroll through the Women’s History Walk in Price Park. The stroll is available rain or shine so please dress for the weather. Noon – 1 pm

Fri, Mar 22 – The Stranger in the Woods – Christopher Knight disappeared into the woods of Maine for 27 years not conversing with another human during that time and living off the land and through stealth. Enjoy Green Reads Book Club for a thoughtful discussion of this last true hermit. Pick up a copy of the book prior to the program. 12 -1 pm

Fri, Mar 29 - Bringing Citizen Science Into Your Teaching - This free workshop taught by the NC Museum of Natural Sciences, introduces educators to citizen science and provides information, tips, and tools to incorporate it into your outdoor environmental education programs or classroom lessons.  You’ll get hands-on experience participating in four projects and ideas for how to use the data from the projects to support student learning. To register, chris.goforth@naturalsciences.org 10 am – 5 pm

Apr 8 - Backyard Habitat - Master Gardeners will teach how to observe and support nature such as birds, butterflies, and other creatures who find habitat in our yards. Discover ways to prevent any uninvited animals who may sometimes come to your habitat. To register, call 336-641-2400. 6:30 – 7:30 pm

Apr 9 – Nature Poetry Stroll - Bring a friend, munch on a lunchtime trail snack and discover nature poetry through a poetry trail in Price Park. The stroll is available rain or shine so please dress for the weather. Noon -1 pm

Apr 11 – Bats and Mice - Matina Kalcounis-Ruppell, Ph.D. Professor and Chair UNCG Department of Biology will speak about bats and mice in your backyard. This program is sponsored by the T. Gilbert Pearson Audubon Society. 7 – 8:30 pm

Apr 12 - No Impact Man – Colin Beaven and his family chose to live in New York City for a year trying to create the least amount of environmental impact from their choices. Come for a fascinating discussion with the Green Reads Book Club about Beaven’s lifestyle choices. Pick up a copy of the book, prior to the program.   12 – 1 pm

Apr 14 – Beginning Birder Workshop – Dennis Burnette will share how to attract birds to gardens and feeders. Practice bird identification in the park. Supervised older children are welcome. This program is sponsored by the T. Gilbert Pearson Audubon Society and the Piedmont Bird Club. 2:30 – 4:30 pm

Apr 18 – Uwharrie Mountains - John Gerwin, Research Curator, Ornithology, at the NC Museum of Natural Sciences, has spent years studying the unique habitat in these underappreciated
mountains, including a disjunct breeding population of Black-throated Green Warblers. Come hear John talk about his work banding birds, tracking populations, and helping to preserve this North Carolina treasure. This program is sponsored by the Piedmont Bird Club. 7 – 8:30 pm

Apr 22  - Easy to Grow Culinary Herbs - Some of us already grow basil, oregano, and thyme – but what about stevia, sage, or lemon grass? By knowing the characteristics of the plants, you can have lots of fresh herbs to use year round. Master Gardeners will talk about being successful at growing the herbs that you want to use in your kitchen. 6:30 – 7:30 pm

May 9 – Moths - Stephen Hall, Ph.D Landscape Ecologist and Terrestrial Invertebrate Zoologist, NC Natural Heritage Program will share the unseen diversity in moths and the unexpected importance of that diversity. This program is sponsored by the T. Gilbert Pearson Audubon Society. 7 – 8:30 pm

May 10 – Plastic Free: How I Kicked the Plastic Habit and How You Can Too – Beth Terry kicked the plastic habit after hearing about the detrimental effects of plastic on the environment. Come for a discussion with the Green Reads Book Club and discover practical ways to make that transition through tips from the book. Pick up a copy of the book, prior to the program. 12 – 1 pm