Numbers only paint part of the picture of the great works being done at WPNR. Our success within the community and beyond stems from diverse and creative programming like Tiny Wonder Time for Pre-K, Summer Camps, and Adult Maker Monday’s; strong relationships with national and regional organizations, schools, and families for major events like the Earth Day “Party for the Planet” which drew over 800 people and the 3rd Annual Butterfly Release that had over 1,500 people flock to experience this majestic sight; integration into the academics of higher education and the community of Saint Vincent College with research projects such as studying Phytoremediation of Organic Chlorine Pesticide Contaminated Soils; and accessible and affordable programs and recreation space like Environmental Explorers and Early Childhood Nature Educator Workshop series which is offered to educators for free. 

Beyond programming and events, WPNR was involved with some high-profile research projects. In 2019, WPNR conducted a Baker Creek Heirloom Seed trial where 29 different varieties were planted from vegetables, flowers, and herbs. WPNR was tasked with providing specific regional information like yield, size, anomalies that may occur in order to provide growing data to farmers and home growers across the United States and Canada. WPNR will keep the seeds to add to the WPNR Seed Bank. Partnering with Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds is a big deal. The company has grown to offer nearly 2,000 varieties of vegetables, flowers, and herbs—the largest selection of heirloom varieties in the USA. “It’s really exciting to be honored with performing a trial with Baker Creek Heirloom Seed,” said Jennifer Eppolito, Educational Horticulturist at WPNR. “This trial added to our seed bank and enabled us to teach the public about growing an heirloom garden and creating healthy foods for their families right from their very own backyard.”  

WPNR is particularly proud to participate in the Experimental Farm Network, a 501c3 that facilitates collaborative plant breeding and sustainable agriculture research in order to fight global climate change, preserve the natural environment, and ensure food security for humanity into the distant future by combining efforts of researchers and volunteers.WPNR was tasked to grow Yamberry Yields , which are a perennial vine, over 5 years wherein the 3rd, 4th, and 5th years we will weigh the yield to determine if the crop is a viable option to feed communities where there is food instability. “We’re so inspired by this particular project because it encompasses healthy food, national research, and has a direct impact on people that need it most,” said Ms. Eppolito. “It enables individuals to be less dependent on other countries for food that we can grow here. What can be easily grown, inexpensive, and living off your own land - it’s an empowering project for any person, neighborhood, or community.” 

We have big plans for 2020 with further expansion of Honeybee and Native Pollinator Research partnering with SVC entomologist, Dr. Michelle Duennes, Citizen Science Programming, development of Historic Lochry Blockhouse Exhibit Space and Programming, and so much more. 

We hope you join us in our goal and dedication to inspiring your neighborhood and community to GET OUTSIDE and BE WELL WITH NATURE.

Sincerely,

Angela Belli
Executive Director, Winnie Palmer Nature Reserve

Happy 2019, Neighbors!

It's that time of year again when the holidays are over, the days are short on sunlight,  and we are all feeling a little blah. Even though it's cold and dreary and spring is still months away, there's so much you can do to lift your spirits and get your blood moving. When we get snow at WPNR the first thing we think of is snowshoeing. If you haven't already heard, we have lots of snowshoeing equipment for you to borrow anytime the barn is open. And never fear, there are sizes for the little ones all the way up to adults. Just stop by and ask!

Snowshoeing is a great workout. According to two independent studies conducted by Ball State University and the University of Vermont, snowshoers can burn between 420-1000 calories per hour. "Snowshoeing is an effective, low impact, and safe form of exercise to change body composition. It burns up to twice the number of calories as walking at the same speed," says Dr. Declan Connolly of the University of Vermont's exercise physiology department. According to Connolly, snowshoers can vary the intensity of their workout, burning fewer calories by taking an easy walk on flat packed terrain, or getting a more intense workout (more than 1,000 calories burned per hour) with an activity like snowshoeing in powder on hilly terrain at a pace of three miles per hour. "Snowshoeing utilizes major muscle groups which, when combined with a higher metabolic rate in cold weather and the added resistance of moving through snow, results in a high-energy activity," says Connolly.

Snowshoeing is easy and fun. Just be sure to dress for the elements in clothing that you can move in. Layers are a good idea since you can get warm as you move. The snowshoes go right over your boots and you need two poles that adjust to your height. Once you're geared up, you just pick a trail and go for it! It's as simple as walking and gliding your feet across the snow and using the poles to navigate any uneven terrain. If you can hike, you can snowshoe. 

Not only is snowshoeing good for your body, it's good for your mental wellbeing too. There are so many amazing things to see out on our trails. Look for tracks in the snow, snap some photos of the winter scenery, or stop at the pond to marvel at the wonders of a winter biome. After you've explored the trails, stop at the barn and warm up in our library. Bring your packed lunch and a thermos of tea and spend the afternoon reading. We have so many books about nature and you are welcome to check them out anytime.  Bring your kids, bring some friends, or just bring yourself. All that matters is that you get outside!

Hey Neighbors!

I hope you all are happily anticipating the warmth and abundance of Thanksgiving. It's so hard to believe it's already here! Tomorrow marks the official start of the holiday season and If you're anything like me, you've already started to think about what's next on the agenda. Before we know it, the days will be jam-packed with festivities and we'll all be up to our mistletoe in treat baking, merrymaking, and gift giving.

It's hard not to be smitten with the lights and music, and many projects to dive into that make the season bright; however, I've been giving some thought to one of the many excessive parts of the holidays, and that is none other than gift wrap. Oh, it's so hard to resist when we are tempted by all of the shiny paper and the latest designs that retailers flash at us. The bows, and ribbons in perfectly curated collections - they're just so festive and pretty! Who doesn't want a pile of fancy boxes all tied up meticulously under their tree?

At the risk of sounding Grinch-like, let's all take a collective deep breath and think about what happens after the holidays. All of the gifts have been opened and there are literally piles of paper and boxes everywhere. I personally feel very sad when I see all of my hard work, time, and money lying around on the floor shredded to bits. What's worse is that I know I'll save some of it...but only some. What about the rest? Say it together folks: the landfill. That's right, bags upon bags of trash will go right into the landfill. We all know it, and I'm convinced we all want to do something about it, but how? And what? I have some ideas. Here are 10 ways you can create less waste this season. And they're easy.

1. Skip the disposable bows and ribbons and decorate with natural materials. Use pinecones, sprigs of greenery, or cinnamon sticks that can be repurposed. 
2. Use natural twine or jute instead of tape and ribbon. You can reuse these items in the garden to tie up heavy plants or save them for next year.
3. Wrap gifts in a reusable box or bag that will have other uses or can be gifted again many times. Satin or velvet ribbon is a great choice for bows since it can also be reused next season. 
4. Use baskets made from natural or recycled fibers that can become storage for kids' books, craft supplies, or closet organizers. 
5. Try using compostable butcher paper with non-toxic paints. You can even get your kids involved making wrapping paper for grandparents or friends who will appreciate their one-of-a-kind artwork. Whatever doesn't get framed or hung on the fridge can go into the compost later.
6. Make your own gift tags and holiday cards from the same paper, but use stamps and non-toxic ink so the cards can feed your garden next spring in the form of compost.
7. Use linen or other bits of fabric to tie up packages. These can have a second life in art or sewing projects.
8. Paint leaves in gold and silver craft paint for decoration or tags...and again into the compost it goes if you use non-toxic paints.
9. Let the box be part of the gift. A cast iron skillet filled with gourmet ingredients and other kitchen gadgets is perfect for a foodie. A gardener might enjoy seeds, small hand tools, and gloves tucked into a pretty ceramic pot or garden hod. Even kids can get in on the fun with small toys given in a  cute bucket or if you're going big, maybe even a wagon!
10. Last but not least, one of my favorite ideas is inspired by the Japanese art of gift wrapping known as furoshiki. Furoshiki is the ultimate in eco-friendly gifting. It uses decorative scarves or pieces of beautiful fabric tied in amazingly creative ways. It's truly an art form. 

I do hope you'll be inspired to try some of these ideas and in turn inspire others to create less waste this holiday season. We're all a part of this neighborhood and each of us can do a little something no matter how small to keep it healthy and safe for the next generation. Have a lovely holiday.

​

Winter fare can be less than stellar when we have to resort to grocery store produce that's been trucked halfway across the United States to reach our plates. We all know we need to eat healthy, but getting your 5-a-day in Western Pennsylvania's off season can be tough - literally. Especially when it comes to greens. Visit any grocery store and grab at a bunch of kale or lettuce. It's wilted, lackluster, and flavorless.  The farmers markets are long over, and the garden has been tucked in for the season. So what to do? Frozen, dried, or far-flung imports? Take your pick, you gotta eat! Here at WPNR we have good news for you. Winter doesn't have to be a bowl of dried peas reconstituted with boxed broth. It can be alive and teeming with brilliant green nutrients from the garden! Even while the garden is sleeping. Even in winter.

Pictured above is a view of our Harvest Garden. This bed is indeed resting for winter, but it's packed full of young, tender pea shoots known as Austrian Winter Peas (Pisum arvense). These greens will survive to 10°F even under a blanket of snow and can be harvested all winter long. They not only look tantalizing, they taste like the freshest, sweetest peas you've ever eaten. But that's not the only reason we plant them.

Every fall, after the growing season has yielded okra, pumpkins, garlic, and lots of other vegetables, a cover crop is planted to protect the soil. Cold, dry winds erode it, while gardening depletes it of vital nutrients. In order to keep the soil healthy it must be replenished. Austrian Winter Peas are one of many choices of legume cover crops. They're my personal favorite because they not only fix nitrogen in the soil, which is essential for healthy plant development, but this plant gives us something every season without fail . Win-win.

We sow them in the fall, they quickly grow tender shoots and then the snow flies. It covers the pea shoots and they remain there all winter, under snow, sleet, and freezing rain, ripe for the picking. Then, as spring gently thaws the ground and the beds begin to warm in the sun, the peas resume growth. They develop beautiful fuschia flowers, and the bees appreciate the sweet early nectar. As they mature, we allow some plants to grow full pods and dry on the vine to be collected for next years seed crop, while others are pulled and layered in the beds as green mulch. We nest tender vegetable plants right inside it which helps to protect them by conserving moisture in the soil and suppressing weeds that compete for nutrients. The plants also break down over the growing season adding healthy biomass to the soil. When the harvest has come to fruition, we start all over again. 

If you've ever grown a bean plant from a seed (kindergarten science, anyone?) you can grow Austrian Winter Peas. It's insanely easy. In zones 5 and 6, they need to be planted mid-August to early September. The process is pretty simple: start by inoculating (a fancy word for swirl the peas in a cup with some water and rhizobium bacteria powder) the peas, throw them on some loose soil, rake them around a bit, water, keep moist until they germinate, and wait for your food to grow. That's it. 

If you already have a garden, you can plant them anywhere you have free space. You'll reap the benefits of every cycle of the plant in addition to enjoying the winter food crop. If you don't have a garden you can easily prepare a patch of soil to grow them in. Who knows, maybe it will inspire you to grow other vegetables in the spring!

You might be wondering how to enjoy these lovely greens. There are endless ways to prepare them, but I quite like them raw as a salad. Cut into bite sized pieces with kitchen shears, dress with good olive oil, raw honey, a splash of balsamic, garlic, sea salt and pepper, and maybe a pinch of red pepper flakes for a kick. Simple and elegant. You can also do a quick saute' in butter with a sprinkle of sea salt, or even as a substitute for lettuce on a sandwich or wrap. Undoubtedly, you'll find yourself snacking straight from the garden and wondering why you hadn't planted them sooner. 

You can purchase peas and the inoculant from many online retailers and we are always available to answer any questions you might have. If you'd like to sample our peas, please stop by the barn and ask us, we love to share! Happy gardening and thanks for being a part of our neighborhood.