Fifty percent of the Nature Study Class time is spent outdoors directly observing what has been taught indoors.

A new Nature Study Class forms each year and meets Saturday mornings from 9-12 over a 7-8 week period throughout April, May and June. Attendance at every class is not mandatory. A typical class consists of 1.5 hours of indoor lessons on plants or animals of Baltimore Woods and central New York followed by 1.5 hours of hiking through the woods and fields and exploring the ponds and streams reinforcing what is taught in the classroom. Classes are taught by CNE staff and in some cases by guest speakers. No prior nature study is required. The class is geared to busy adults with little or no out-of-class work.

With their class fee each participant is given a two-inch thick, three-ring notebook full of natural history information about the plants and animals of Baltimore Woods. Topics include, but are not limited to geology of CNY, mammals, birds, trees, insects, wildflowers and reptiles/amphibians.

A full rebate is possible when a participant volunteers at least 30 hours at CNE within one year of the program. Volunteer duties, dates and times vary and are flexible. For more information call 673-1350.

Sample of Nature Study Course

Week 1. 9-12 noon
Introductions, course overview, Geology of central New York and Baltimore Woods, CNY Glaciers, CNY Fossils. Hike through a stone quarry, Valley Trail, Overlook Trail.

Week 2. 9-12 noon
Famous Naturalists and Conservationist, Nature Field Guides & Nature Books, Basic Principals of Ecology, Land Management of Baltimore Woods, Hike the Backyard Wildlife Trail, Pioneer Trail.

Week 3. 9-12 noon
Identifying Spring Woodland Wildflowers & Ferns, Hike Faust Wildflower Garden and Meadow Trail, Valley Trail, Griffiths Trail and Introduction to Bird Watching.

Week 4. 7-10am (early start!)
Bird Watching, Bird Habitats, Hike the Backyard Wildlife Trail, Valley Trail, Arboretum Trail and Griffiths Trail.

Week 5. 9-12noon
Identification of Common Trees and Shrubs, Hike Backyard Wildlife Trail, Arboretum Trail, Faust Wildflower Garden

Week 6. 9-12 noon
The Mammals of Baltimore Woods, Hike the Backyard Wildlife Trail and to the Beaver Dam.

Week 7. 9-12 noon
Reptiles and Amphibians of NYS and Baltimore Woods, Search for Salamanders on Harrison Loop,Valley Trail and Griffiths Trail.

Week 8. 9-noon
Introduction to Insects and Spiders, Stream Ecology and Aquatic Invertebrates, Hike to various locations along Baltimore Brook and Phillips Pond. Class Evaluations