The crabtree outside the South Dakota Discovery Center is laden with fruit. We are extending our Discovery Garden to include the tree (and the black walnuts in the Mayor's Grove) since fruit and nut trees can and should be used to feed us in addition to wildlife.

The fruiting of the tree is a sure sign that summer is transitioning to fall. This is an exciting time to be outdoors because, as with spring, this is when things are happening. Your green hour could be to go outside everyday and look for some of the signs of fall such as:
- Flock of blackbirds
- Colored leaves
- Ripe crabapples
- Birds flying south (pelicans, geese, ducks)
- Winds from the N
- Empty bird nests
- Squirrels hiding food
- Acorns and walnuts

Parents and teachers, you can also add an element of citizen science to this by participating Journey North's collection of phenology data.

Journey South
Phenology

Perhaps you might wish to journal about the following:

Adopt a tree that will turn color (maples, cottonwoods, ash)
- Note the date you first notice color
- Note the date that the tree is more than 50% colored
- Note the date that you notice more than 50% of the tree is bare.

Whatever you do, go outside and enjoy all the fine days left to us. We still should have plenty but don't let the abundance of nice weather lull you into feeling there is plenty of time. Soon January will be here and getting outside is more of a challenge.

Enjoy!