Baltimore County, MD smARTS, 16 Jun 2016

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From YouTube: smARTS: Nature in Overlea

Description

Explore natural history in Overlea.

A

The natural history society of maryland has been making nature connections since 1929.

A

Joining is anita tyler to tell us more.

A

welcome to smarts! thank you!. Thank you for inviting me., well, I'm very eager to hear about the society,, but I'm going to ask a really basic question:.

A

Can you give me the definition of "natural history" as opposed to "artificial history?"? I don't know. ( laughing ) or world history. world history, right.

B

Yeah,, that's a great question, because I think the term confuses people..

B

So natural history is the study of plants and animals in their environments.

B

Okay. all right, and fortunately for all of us,.

A

Maryland has a beautiful natural, environment.

A

yes,. We have a wide diversity of habitats here in maryland, yes.

B

Now the society's been around since 1929 as I mentioned,.

A

But not always in the overlea location.

B

Correct. for many years,, it was based in druid hill park,.

B

And that's where we had an actual museum where people could come in and see our natural history collections and look at our specimens and artifacts.

B

So it wasn't until-- and then we did move to a couple locations.

B

In downtown baltimore- and it's only been recently that we're in overlea.

A

Right here in baltimore, county.

B

We're glad that you're here. thank you, yes.

B

okay,. So let's talk a little bit about your facility.

A

And I know there are kind of three special focuses that you have --.

A

The society has.

B

Yes, our three areas of emphasis: one is to continue to preserve our natural history collections.

B

And also to continue collecting them and we hope one day in the short term.

B

To be able to open as a museum, so people can come in and see our collections.

A

Can you give me one example of a collection?

A

oh,? We have hundreds of butterfly mounts.

B

Oh, really? yeah, so representing a wide variety of species that either can be found in maryland or unfortunately, no longer exist in maryland.

B

Okay,, so you have these collections.

A

Then you also, I know, are interested in research.

A

yes. for instance,, a project that we're working on right now.

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Is co-sponsored with the department of natural resources in maryland.

B

And we're doing a survey of all the amphibians and reptiles in maryland.

B

What frogs,, toads, salamanders, snakes still exist in maryland,.

B

How healthy is the population, and where are they located?

B

yeah.? I would imagine, because maryland is such an interesting state.

A

As far as nature, -- you've got the chesapeake, but then you've got the mountains of western maryland, and you--.

A

That is all-- all that history is included, then in the society.

A

Yeah, exactly. yeah.

B

So whether we have the mountains in the west -- or what we call the piedmont area in the central location or the coastal plains along the chesapeake bay, and also the atlantic ocean.

B

okay., now you have a very exciting program going on.

A

Tell us a little bit about that.

B

Yeah, so one of the ways we reach people -- because we're not open as a museum right now, -- is through our programs, and we offer a diverse variety of field. Trips, workshops,, lectures,, plant identification, courses.

B

But the one we're most excited about right now is our nature connection series, and it's been free.

B

We run it twice a month and we feature a different theme. Each event.

B

Can you give us some examples of what you've done.

A

And what we can look forward, to?.

B

Okay, so some are fossils, skulls, snakes...

A

Skulls --, both human and animal, or most animal?,.

A

Right, no human, right., exactly., (laughter ).

B

A very popular one has been owls..

B

We've had some owls in maryland,, including a snowy owl,.

B

Which is rare, -- rarely visits maryland.

A

Absolutely. yeah.

B

Butterflies, learning marine science with the chesapeake bay, geology...

A

So how do these --? Where are these programs held?? How do you reach out?? How can people take advantage??

A

That's one reason we're here today is I'm sure many of our listeners would love to be part of these programs.

B

Attend, yeah. so, it's twice a month, so far.

B

The schedule could always change.

B

and folks are welcome to stop in any time at their convenience.

B

It's kind of like an open house, format.

A

B

And we find out through our website, www.marylandnature.org/natureconnections,.

B

And we do all the social media and publicity as well.

B

A

And a big fan of ours is the overlea association.

B

Oh! they promote all of our programs. they're, very important to helping us stay there in overlea.

B

And bringing our neighbors in.

A

Terrific! so,, I know that you were able to do this program.

A

Through a wonderfully generous gift.

A

yes. from sonia blumenthal. yes, yes.

B

So the blumenthals were very active in the outdoors.

B

The husband, harry blumenthal, really wanted to inspire people.

B

To get out in nature and appreciate the outdoors.

B

And unfortunately, he passed a few years ago and mrs. sonia blumenthal wanted to honor his memory.

B

And do something for the rest of maryland to help inspire people.

A

And so she funded this program. yes. terrific.. Well, we encourage people to get out,, take advantage of the wonderful program;, the great weather, too., it's a wonderful time., and I know that you're also always looking to continue this program,.

A

So more support is good.

B

We are. yes. all right.

A

Anita, thanks so much for being here.