In North Carolina we’re fortunate to be surrounded by flourishing wildlife. As a city, we’re so proud of our tree-lined streets that Charlotte has set a goal of having trees cover 50% of the city by 2050. This month at Discovery Place Nature we’re rediscovering biology in our own backyard. See if you can identify harmless plants from harmful ones and search for critters that live in trees or the grass. Stop by the Museum this month to dig deep into our backyard with these four activities.

Poison Ivy Patrol

This poisonous plant is so popular it grows in almost every state in the U.S. Often mistaken for a harmless plant, poison ivy can have flowers, berries or different colored leaves on their vine. Contact with this plant will leave skin irritated and red for a few weeks. However, as invasive as this plant may seem, it provides food and shelter for many native insects, birds and mammals. This month hike with us in Fort Wild and learn how to identify poison ivy. We’ll also search for creatures that use poison ivy for food and shelter. Takes place Saturday, September 2 & Wednesday, September 6.

Box Turtle Monitoring

Noticed lots of box turtles during your visits to the park or in your backyard? The Eastern box turtle is North Carolina’s native reptile, and for good reason. These fascinating creatures can live to be over 100 years old and received its name from its ability to box itself into its shell when it senses danger. With the help of Queens University interns, we’ve begun tagging Eastern box turtles in our area to research their habits and habitats. Meet our three ambassador box turtles and learn about Discovery Place Nature’s box turtle monitoring study on Saturday, September 9 & Wednesday, September 13.

Squirrel Search

Did you know that there are over 200 species of squirrels that live all over the world? Or that Charlotte is home to two species of flying squirrels? Join us on the Back Deck to cover all things squirrels from their favorite food to the four species that live in North Carolina. Takes place Wednesday, September 20 & Saturday, September 23.

Worm Investigation

They’re wiggly and slimy and tons of fun! Worms are a popular choice among people who fish but they are better known for the work they do to our soil by keeping it fertilized so healthy plants and food can grow. We’ll learn all about worm anatomy, can you guess how many hearts a worm has?, and what helps them move so effortlessly through the dirt. Takes place Wednesday, September 27 & Saturday, September 30.

To see a full schedule of September events, click here.