Summer projects for naturalists

Two ways to connect with nature during social distancing no matter your age.
By Joanna Brichetto, USN parent

Here are fun gateways to the world of conservation:
  1. Certify your yard as Native Wildlife Habitat. The National Wildlife Federation offers an easy program that will: show your family what native habitat is, why it matters, and how to help it thrive in your own yard. Even urban habitats are destroyed by infill and development, and sadly, most of our common landscape plants are exotics that did not co-evolve with native creatures here. The NWF search engine helps you find local host-plants for butterflies and other invertebrates, which, in turn, feed birds and other creatures in our shared foodweb. And you can order a Certified Wildlife Habitat yard sign to advertise your efforts and to invite neighbors to think native.
  2. Learn your plant and animal neighbors with iNaturalist. This is a free "citizen science" app that can help you ID any living thing in your yard, neighborhood, or anywhere. Observations are saved as a life-list of all organisms in your yard, and you can track when things bloom, seed, come, go. Meanwhile, scientists use your data for research (while protecting your privacy). There are also local iNaturalist "Projects" to join: pollinator sightings, Warner Park biodiversity surveys, and the annual City Nature Challenge.
 
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More USN News

List of 3 news stories.

  • Henry Knowles ’26 delivers the Commencement address on Sunday, May 17 on the Back Lawn.

    USN graduates 98 plus 1 during Commencement

    Seniors turned their tassels and graduated from University School of Nashville on Sunday, May 17, on the Back Lawn. Visit usn.org/classof2026 for more highlights from their last year on Edgehill and to learn what they will do next.
    Read More

  • Spring sports season ends with podium finishes, trophies

    The girls lacrosse team ended its season in overtime to become state runner-up. Tennis players Carter Kojetin '29 finished as a state quarterfinalist, Sophie Oliver '26 and Mary Kate Adler '28 finished as state semifinalists, and Veer Kodali '29 and Max Parker '29 finished as state champions. Meanwhile, eight runners competed at the state track and field meet in Knoxville, where Griffin Davidson '27, Caleb Freifeld '28, Drew Zwerner '28, and Jack Fruin '27, sprinted to first in the 4x800m relay and Jack also placed first in the 800m dash.
    Read More
  • Interim Director Juliet Douglas roars with laughter as students hold photos of her on sticks during the High School Awards Assembly on Friday, May 8 in Durnan Auditorium.

    USN creates the Juliet Douglas Endowed Fund for Student Success

    For the entire USN community: an invitation to give in gratitude, in celebration, and in honor of the woman who has given so much to our school. Make a gift at usn.org/giving to support students with needs beyond tuition and honor Interim Director Juliet Douglas.
    Read More
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University School of Nashville models the best educational practices. In an environment that represents the cultural and ethnic composition of Metropolitan Nashville, USN fosters each student’s intellectual, artistic, and athletic potential, valuing and inspiring integrity, creative expression, a love of learning, and the pursuit of excellence.