June 11, 2024 @ 5:00 pm - 6:15 pm
Squirrel Lake Park
1631 Pleasant Plains Rd
Matthews, NC
REGISTER HERE
Have you ever seen a dragonfly in the winter? How about a mayfly? Where do these animals go once it turns cold, and where do they come from when it starts to warm up? Freshwater macroinvertebrates can tell us many important features about their habitat. They are storytellers about the health of the ecosystem. Are there pollutants in the water? Let’s ask the leeches. Do these waters support lots of species? Let’s ask the caddisfly.
Join HAWK and Dr. Erika Young, the Coastal and Marine Education Specialist for North Carolina Sea Grant, for a special hands-on stream exploration opportunity for kids followed by a pizza dinner! Please register now as spots are limited! There will be many specimens to observe, a scientific key to identify species, and a game to match the larval form to the adult form. Registration is required for this evening of adventurous fun at Squirrel Lake Park. C lick here to register
Squirrel Lake Park
1631 Pleasant Plains Rd
Matthews, NC
REGISTER HERE
Have you ever seen a dragonfly in the winter? How about a mayfly? Where do these animals go once it turns cold, and where do they come from when it starts to warm up? Freshwater macroinvertebrates can tell us many important features about their habitat. They are storytellers about the health of the ecosystem. Are there pollutants in the water? Let’s ask the leeches. Do these waters support lots of species? Let’s ask the caddisfly.
Join HAWK and Dr. Erika Young, the Coastal and Marine Education Specialist for North Carolina Sea Grant, for a special hands-on stream exploration opportunity for kids followed by a pizza dinner! Please register now as spots are limited! There will be many specimens to observe, a scientific key to identify species, and a game to match the larval form to the adult form. Registration is required for this evening of adventurous fun at Squirrel Lake Park. C lick here to register
RECORDINGS OF PREVIOUS HAWK MEETINGS BELOW
CLICK ON THE LINK YOU WISH TO WATCH
GOT A REQUEST?
If you have a suggestion for a topic for one of our monthly meetings, please let us know ([email protected]) OR join our programming committee and help us coordinate programs that everyone will enjoy! (Send an email to [email protected] to suggest a topic or join the team)
We will be meeting in person and live streaming via ZOOM, and this means we can bring you outstanding speakers from around the state and around the nation!
WILDLIFE ENCOUNTERS
TUESDAY, APRIL 4, 7PM VIRTUAL OR MATTHEWS COMMUNITY CENTER Join HAWK at the Matthews Community Center, or virtually via Zoom, for the Tuesday, April 4th HAWK meeting at 7 p.m., when our speaker will talk about his wildlife encounters in the field and at home. Andrew Cole has nearly 25 years of experience in wildlife management. He currently runs Song Dog Wildlife Management. In addition to wildlife control, Cole has aided in wildlife research for the University of Missouri and West Virginia University, as well as worked for the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission as a Game Land Technician/Specialist. He has a bachelor of science in Wildlife Ecology and Management, with minors in General Biology and Forestry from Frostburg State University. He is a member of several wildlife societies, including Bat Conservation International. Cole will join us in person and field questions from the live audience and Zoom attendees. Use this link to join the meeting virtually. The Matthews Community Center is located at 100 McDowell St. 
Hawks at HAWK
Falconry CLICK HERE TO SEE THE PRESENTATION Several falconers and their hawks were present at this in-person event. Our speaker was Aaron Kincaid, president of the North Carolina Falconers Guild. While the guild is the oldest hawking club in the state, formed in 1987, the sport may date back to prehistoric times, based on cave drawings depicting falconry. Falconry is hunting in partnership with a trained raptor. We learned about the history of falconry, the care of raptors as falconry birds, falconry bird training, hunting equipment and more. |
Forest Bathing/Forest Therapy
Saturday, May 13, 2023 8:30AM Purser-Hulsey Park 13201 Phillips Road Matthews, NC Registration Required Interested in a guided forest bathing experience? Habitat and Wildlife Keepers is sponsoring this event with a professional to help people learn how to use their time in nature to get the most benefits: physically, mentally and emotionally. Click here to register. Award-winning author, Certified Forest Therapy Guide, and Executive Wayfinder (life/business coach) Angie Mattson Stegall will share tools and concepts about Forest Bathing and from her book Notes from Nature: Tune into Your Inner Voice by Letting Nature Take the Lead. A California native who loves spending time wandering and exploring in nature, she is loves sharing forest bathing with people of all ages. Stegall has discovered, through a practice of stillness outdoors, that nature gives her answers, messages, signs, and even gifts. "When my heart is heavy, if I'm feeling detached from my true self, or when I'm struggling with the noise of life, disconnecting from 'busy' and reconnecting to nature is my path to wisdom," Stegall explains. Drawing on a mixture of experiential education, well-researched science, and discussion, guests will have the opportunity to incorporate nature and stillness through forest bathing into their owns lives and feel how those practices positively enhance their wellness. And worth noting: with this practice, the Forest is the “therapist” and Angie is simply the Guide. 
INVASIVE PLANTS
CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE PRESENTATION They go by many names: nonnative, alien, exotic, noxious, invasive. Plants brought to the U.S. intentionally or by accident now threaten our native species and our wildlife habitat. Our two speakers are experts on invasive plants in North Carolina. Johnny Randall is the Director of Conservation at the North Carolina Botanical Garden and adjunct faculty at UNC-Chapel Hill. Drew Gay is an Environmental Specialist with the NC Division of Water Resources’ Aquatic Weed Control Program. Randall will explore alternatives to standard landscape practices and address how landowners can accomplish biological diversity conservation right at home. Gay will explain how to identify some of the worst invasive plants that are found in NC and how they are managed. He will also discuss the laws that apply to noxious weeds. |
SOLITARY BEES
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 7PM MATTHEWS COMMUNITY CENTER AND VIRTUALLY VIA ZOOM Join us in person at the Matthews Community Center, or virtually via Zoom, for the Tuesday, November 1st HAWK meeting at 7 p.m. when we will learn about the amazing pollination performance of solitary bees. As the name suggests, solitary bees do not colonize. They live in the ground or in cavities and may nest near each other, but do not cooperate to raise young the way honey bees do. In fact, most bees do not live in hives or make honey. Our speaker, Dave Hunter, is the founder and owner of Crown Bees, an organization that helps gardeners and farmers increase pollination and food production with responsibly managed solitary bees. He collaborates with researchers to set the standards for best practices in solitary beekeeping. He also teaches people how to raise these bees in their backyards to pollinate and grow fresh, healthy food. Hunter will be joining us via Zoom from the state of Washington. He will field questions from the live audience and from Zoom attendees. Use this link to join the meeting virtually. The Matthews Community Center is located at 100 McDowell St. |
BATS
Click here to watch the presentation Prepare to have a few myths dispelled. Monica Calhoun is researching bats in the Piedmont region of North Carolina as part of her master’s thesis on bats in wetlands. She will tell us about the 17 bat species in our state, and the seven in particular she is studying. If you’ve never heard bat calls, Calhoun will play a few for us and point out how each is unique. Most likely you’ve heard of white-nose syndrome in bats. She will cover this and other bat diseases. Calhoun has a degree in biology and expects to graduate with her master’s in biology in the spring from UNC Greensboro. She admits her love of animals favors those that are odd. Participation in a large wetland restoration project ignited her interest in bats. |
JUST IN TIME FOR HALLOWEEN!!
All about local spiders! Tuesday, Oct 4, 7PM Matthews Community Center 100 McDowell Street Join us in person at the Matthews Community Center, or virtually via Zoom, for the October 4th HAWK meeting at 7:00p.m. with Entomologist Matt Bertone. Fascinated by "creepy crawlies" his entire life, Bertone will help us gain more appreciation for the often-misunderstood spider. He will talk about the amazing diversity of spiders in North Carolina, including their many body plans, ecologies and behaviors. He will also point out the common misconceptions we may have about these wonderful creatures. Matt Bertone is the director of the NC State Plant Disease and Insect Clinic. His career in entomology has focused on the evolution, biodiversity and taxonomy of insects. He is also an avid macro photographer! Enjoy his photos by clicking here. Bertone will be fielding our questions from the live audience and from Zoom attendees. Click HERE to join the meeting virtually. |
FUZZ: When Nature Breaks the Law
Pre-recorded Click Here Mary Roach, known as “America’s funniest science writer" discusses her latest book about what happens when wildlife doesn’t abide by human law: Fuzz: When Nature Breaks the Law. Fuzz is a hilarious, but educational book full of fascinating nature facts. Roach spent two years traveling around the world with regional wildlife guides to witness countless examples of friction between humans and animals. In the book she also explores new methods of reducing this friction so we can all peacefully coexist. Roach is the author of five best-selling works of nonfiction, most recently Grunt: The Curious Science of Humans at War. Her writing has appeared in Outside, National Geographic, and the New York Times Magazine, among other publications. |
Of mice and men (and cats and pythons)
PRE-RECORDED Click here to watch the Zoom presentation Mammalogist Mike Cove thinks rodents are underappreciated. His favorite, the woodrat, dispenses seeds and acts as a composter to help naturally restore endangered forests. Join us as he talks about his rodent conservation work in the Florida Keys. Mike will also discuss some local work he’s done here in North Carolina. Mike is the Research Curator of Mammalogy at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences in Raleigh. He obtained his PhD from NC State, where he studied the effects of feral cats on endangered small mammals in the Florida Keys. He also conducts mammal research internationally and locally in North Carolina. |
CRITTER CAM CRAZE
PRE-RECORDED CLICK HERE TO WATCH With well-positioned cameras, wildlife lovers are watching eagle nests all over the world, hummingbirds gathering at feeders at the Texas border during migration and the animals that visit a watering hole in Kenya. It’s not that hard to set up a camera in your own yard to see who visits your area. You will learn the basics, and the types of cameras best for viewing wildlife. Join the fun as HAWK leadership team member, Caryl Mallory, shares her experience with wildlife through videos and pictures from her backyard to the forest. |
FREE VIRTUAL EVENT
AMAZING HUMMINGBIRDS!! PRE-RECORDED CLICK HERE TO WATCH Hummingbird expert, Susan Campbell, will keep us entertained with information about our familiar ruby-throated hummingbirds and the other unexpected hummingbirds who overwinter with us in North Carolina, some of them in right here in Charlotte. Since 1999, Susan has been part of a project to investigate, tag and photograph these “vagrant” hummingbirds. Having banded over 4,000 hummingbirds, she will share her insights about these tiny, delightful creatures. Susan is an affiliate of the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences in Raleigh. |
Discovering Biodiversity Right Here in Mecklenburg County
PRE-RECORDED. CICK HERE TO WATCH Variety is the spice of life in the natural world. The array of plants and creatures on our planet interact to make it inhabitable. But the Earth’s biodiversity is now at risk due to human activities. Mecklenburg county is making an effort to better understand, protect, and enhance the diversity of plants and animals in the county, especially within the nature preserve system. Our speaker will be Lenny Lampel, Natural Resources Supervisor with Mecklenburg County. He will provide an overview of some of the recent and ongoing biodiversity-related projects coordinated through Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation’s Division of Nature Preserves and Natural Resources. Lenny is a biologist who focuses on conservation. |
Mushrooms, Molds, and Mycorrhizae: The Amazing Role of Fungi
PRE-RECORDED: CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE PRESENTATION Fungi are critical in the orchestration of nutrient cycling, pathogen suppression, and balancing of ecosystems. They attack nematodes, insects, and are constantly working to modify their immediate environment in concert with bacteria and other organisms. The second largest Kingdom on the planet, with over an estimated 5 million and only 160,000 have been identified, this is just the tip of the iceberg. Tradd Cotter delves deep and brings you into this immersive experience that will dazzle and leave you feeling optimistic about the future of our planet and have you integrating fungi into your life. Cotter is a microbiologist, professional mycologist and organic gardener who has been tissue culturing, collecting native fungi in the Southeast and cultivating fungi both commercially and experimentally for more than 22 years. In 1996 he founded Mushroom Mountain, which he owns and operates with his wife, Olga. |
THEY'RE BACK!! THE MAJESTIC ELK IN THE GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK (Oct 5 Meeting. Link to recording below) If you haven't had a chance to hear the elk bugling during rut season, you are missing out on one of nature's most amazing songs. As the population of elk grows since their re-introduction into the Great Smoky Mountain National Park, the bugling can be heard as the bulls try to achieve dominance. After years of absence, the elk have been returned to their native lands and the herd size has steadily increased. Join us to learn how the NC Wildlife Resources Commission and NC Wildlife Federation worked together to return these majestic animals to the wilds of North Carolina and how you can enjoy these impressive creatures. Justin McVey the mountain regional district wildlife biologist for the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, will tell us about the re-introduction and the management of the elk herds in western NC. CLICK HERE TO WATCH |
Synchronous Fireflies
Lightning Bugs or Fireflies? Whatever you call them, we hope you will join us for this presentation about these fascinating creatures that have captured children's (and many adults) imagination through the years. Dr. Kuhn, the director of science and research at Discover Life in America, talks about fireflies of the Smokies region and answers your burning firefly questions (see what we did there?), including… What exactly is a firefly? Are there more than one kind of firefly? What makes the synchronous fireflies so special? How can you help fireflies in your own backyard? CLICK HERE TO WATCH |
LEAVE THE LEAVES AND PREPARING FOR WINTER
Click here to see the recording Master Composter and Habitat Steward, Carol Buie-Jackson, will present on how being a lazy fall gardener is a good thing! All those leaves are important: Compost, mulch, insect habitat! Also, learn what you can do to give the birds and other wildlife the best chance to thrive in the coming months. Using video and pictures from her Matthews garden, Carol will help you prepare for the cold winter ahead! Carol Buie-Jackson is the owner of Bird House on the Greenway and Wildology at Waverly. She serves on the Board of the National Wildlife Federation as the Region 3 Director and was the first woman to serve as Chair of the North Carolina Wildlife Federation. She is a founding member of HAWK and still serves on the Leadership Team. She is a Habitat Steward, Master Naturalist and Master Composter. Carol and her husband Jay live in Matthews with Ella, the shop dog. |
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TAKE A (VIRTUAL) HIKE!!!
(SEPT 7, SEE LINK TO RECORDING BELOW) Have you ever wanted to hike with an expert to help identify the flora and fauna you see along the way? Join us for this virtual hike to explore the plants, fungi and wildlife you can find in the Piedmont of the Carolinas this time of the year. Discover the wonders of nature that is just outside your door. Jon Storm, our hike leader, is a Professor of Biology at the University of South Carolina Upstate where he teaches Introductory Biology, Ecology & Evolution, and Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy. He is lead author of the Field Guide to the Southern Piedmont, a free eBook covering more than 700 species in the Piedmont of the Carolinas and Georgia. He also manages the Southern Piedmont Natural History Facebook page. His research interests include small mammal ecology and animal behavior. His work has been featured on the Discovery Channel, NPR, and in The New York Times. CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE PRESENTATION |
BABIES, BABIES EVERYWHERE
AND WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU FIND ONE ANIMAL REHABILITATORS OF THE CAROLINAS Spring is here! Amongst the new blooms and warmer weather, many of our furry friends are having their babies. Mammal moms are the best moms but sometimes their babies get separated or injured, maybe fall out of a tree or grabbed by a neighborhood cat. This is where the Animal Rehabilitators of the Carolinas (ARC) steps in. ARC is a nonprofit fully volunteer-driven Charlotte-based organization that has rehabbed and released thousands of orphaned and injured wildlife since 1987. Join a couple of ARC volunteers as they introduce you to the organization, share what it is like to be a rehabilitator, meet some of our recent rescues, and learn what you should do if you find an orphaned or injured animal. CLICK HERE TO SEE WHAT YOU MISSED! A DELIGHTFUL PRESENTATION |
If you missed our virtual event with David Mizejewski (or you would like to listen again), click here for the recording of the webinar.
THERE WAS A WHOLE LOTTA TREE HUGGIN' GOING ON AT OUR
KIDS AND NATURE DAY LAST YEAR!
IT IS HAWK'S MISSION TO INSPIRE THE NEXT GENERATION OF CONSERVATIONISTS!
KIDS AND NATURE DAY LAST YEAR!
IT IS HAWK'S MISSION TO INSPIRE THE NEXT GENERATION OF CONSERVATIONISTS!
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WE HOPE YOU ARE INSPIRED TO GO OUTSIDE AND HUG A TREE, TOO!
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WHO IS HAWK?
Habitat and Wildlife Keepers (HAWK), founded in 2006 as the first chapter of the North Carolina Wildlife Federation (NCWF), is a non-profit organization dedicated to environmental education and conservation, whose mission is to:
Habitat and Wildlife Keepers (HAWK), founded in 2006 as the first chapter of the North Carolina Wildlife Federation (NCWF), is a non-profit organization dedicated to environmental education and conservation, whose mission is to:
- Create a network of like-minded individuals to share resources and local conservation news,
- Raise awareness of the need, importance and ease of acting locally to impact the environment globally,
- Create a local presence and unified voice for representation on conservation issues,
- Offer educational opportunities to learn how to become effective stewards of the environment, and
- Practice stewardship by performing local conservation projects.
Contact information: [email protected] or call 704-236-0929
Habitat and Wildlife Keepers, P. O. Box 1201, Matthews, NC 28106
Habitat and Wildlife Keepers, P. O. Box 1201, Matthews, NC 28106
