Welcome to the UMLY Environmental Education Center Blog and our first post!
Spring it appears has kicked the door wide open and officially arrived. With temperatures climbing to over 70 degrees in recent days, flowers and buds typically not seen for a few more weeks have made their appearance. Old Man Winter apparently needed a break after dumping over 120 inches of snow the previous two years combined (remember that?). I have to admit I am a fan of the winter season, so after the show Winter put on the last two seasons, this strange late fall/early spring hybrid season we experienced the last three months was a bit of a let down. I know I'm in the minority.
The onset of colder weather started with a bang on October 29. The Snowtober Storm dumped over five inches of snow throughout parts of Chester County. Trick or treat, now go shovel the driveway kid. But except for a few more dustings, that has been it. And while we are still a few days away from the calendar telling us it's officially Spring, it's safe to say it's here.
Hey Old Man Winter, this was it???
Here at UMLY, we've embraced the warmer weather as work has already begun on preparing our outdoor classroom gardens, scheduling our spring school field trip visits, and even hiring of our summer camp counselors. But the best sign that Spring is here arrived via email two days ago with news of the birth of our baby pigmy goats!
In early January, most visitors to UMLY quickly realized we had two new residents, Mickey and Betsy. These goats have quickly become our greeters, bleating at members and staff walking by the barnyard to and from their cars. Mickey and Betsy came to us on loan from Priscilla's farm, next to General Wayne Elementary School.
Didn't know you could get a loaner goat, did you?
Priscilla was kind enough to send over two of her goats to prepare our staff and volunteers for life in the barnyard. Meanwhile, out in Lancaster County, two expecting mommy goats have been carrying our eventual permanent resident goats. And so the babies finally arrived earlier this week and we expect them here at UMLY in late April. Mickey and Betsy will return to their family in the next week or so. The staff, members, and Charlie (our executive director) will miss Mickey and Betsy terribly, but their home is only a few miles down the road. I think their fan club will stay in touch.
Mom and the kids
Jeff Scott, our Environmental Education Director, plans a naming contest for the two baby goats. Stay tuned for details and keep updated here on our Blog and Facebook pages (UMLY Environmental Education Center).
Get outdoors and enjoy the season.
Brian Raicich
Senior Director of Youth Development
Upper Main Line YMCA
