Sense of Place
Join with nature centers in Montana, Florida and New Mexico to discuss our connection with the land, learn about different ecosystems and share our own experiences.
Night in for Nature
Bring your valentine to learn something new about The Birds & the Bees, and support TWC.
Your Wild Classroom
Enhance your elementary student’s natural science studies with monthly courses that will get your child outside – observing, studying, and learning.
Nature Study Series
Join us as we explore the lives of birds in this fascinating 6-part series. Perfect for casual feeder-watchers and avid birders alike, this course would make a great holiday gift!
TWC Nature Store
Support TWC while you do your holiday shopping. Now selling birdseed, books, apparel and more!
Foxfield Preserve
Foxfield Preserve is a conservation burial ground operated by The Wilderness Center, offering a beautiful resting place and a meaningful legacy.
Calendar & Upcoming Events
Thank you to our friends at Columbia Woodlands for donating the auction proceeds from their upcoming Nature Lovers' Night to TWC!
Let’s Get Sirius
Sirius, the Dog star, is now in our night sky. Sirius is the heart of the winter constellation Canis Major the “Big Dog.” Right now, Canis Major is rising in the southeast and is above the horizon by 8:15pm. Canis Major is one of the easiest constellations to see because it actually looks like a dog. If you’re familiar with the constellation of Orion, draw a line through his belt stars and it points at Sirius. As the nights go by from winter to mid-spring you can watch Canis Major move from the southeast to the south to the southwest.
Sirius is the brightest star in the sky. It is a blue-white supergiant star 8.6 lightyears away. In ancient Egypt, the name Sirius meant scorching or sparkling. Sirius will seem to twinkle in lots of colors. This twinkling is the result of Sirius being low to the horizon causing us to see it through a thick blanket of atmosphere. Differences in air temperature and density in this blanket cause the star to dance and change color. Sirius has actually been reported as a UFO!
Have you ever heard of the dog days of summer? Sirius is behind the sun as seen from Earth during the summer. It was once believed that those hot days were due to the combined heat of the sun and the brightest star in the sky. Scorching indeed! Winter in Ohio has a lot of cloudy nights, but if we have a clear one put on the hat and coat and look for Sirius.
Image Caption: How to find Sirius
A message to all our friends and members who have supported TWC over the past year:
Start your new year by taking steps to get your affairs in order. Join Foxfield Preserve staff this Thursday from the comfort and safety of your home to learn more about conservation burial.
Sign-up to receive the Zoom code: bit.ly/2MNUZwD