Tag: Endangered Species

American Goldfinch vs. Climate Change

For my most recent course with National Geographic, I was learned all about Teaching Climate Change and Scientific Modeling – which was absolutely fascinating! Despite having a degree in Wildlife Conservation and therefore taking so many classes that talked about the implications of human-caused climate change, there was still plenty to learn! The goal of …

Everyone can be a scientist – Here’s how!

Not everyone who likes science, or finds it fascinating, is a scientist – and there’s nothing wrong with that! Science makes up the world around us, from the animals, to the microorganisms, and how they all interact with their environment, to how our own human lives work! I have a science degree and loved my …

National Geographic Educator Certification

For a while  now, it has been my super unrealistic goal of becoming a National Geographic Photographer. While I am competing with so many extremely talented photographers all over the world who have access to more “interesting” subjects, better equipment, and have more experience, you gotta have goals, right? Much to my surprise and delight, …

My Top 10 Reasons to Conserve Wildlife

I originally went to school for Veterinary Surgery and wanted to focus on marine mammals, but life (as it does) got the best of me and I ended up pursuing a different path – obviously – of wildlife management & conservation with a focus in media. Since graduating, I have learned so much about wildlife …

“Heart & Soul” – a Photo Project Looking at Animal/Habitat Relationships

As a Conservation Photographer who finds the interconnection of life fascinating, I try to reflect that passion in my work. I created my “Heart & Soul” project to depict this interconnection. The Heart and Soul Photo Project shows the blend of an animal and it’s ideal habitat, or where the animal’s heart and soul belong, …

Soooo… You may have noticed I love the ocean! Why might that be?

Fun fact for the day – Did you know that my name, Marissa, means “Of the sea” in Latin? I have fond memories of going to the beach with my parents and jumping waves with my dad. I walked along the beach; fascinated by shells. As an elementary school student, I remember going to aquariums …

Pollinator Week 2018

Pollinators, the little critters that are responsible for providing us with roughly one-third of our food, are in trouble. Their populations have been declining for years, so 11 years ago, the US Senate designated a week in June as “National Pollinator Week” to help raise awareness and address this issue. To find a Pollinator related …

It’s finally Gardening season – Make it pollinator friendly!

This hummingbird moth is one of many species that absolutely loves the native flowers here in PA! It particularly enjoys this Bee Balm flower.

If you’re into gardening or just being out in nature, chances are, you enjoy flowers! Their vibrant colors, textured foliage and sweet fragrances are pleasing. In fact, it’s not just flowers that you like by many other plants including fruits and vegetables! Without pollinators like birds, bats, bees, butterflies, moths and other insects, these beautiful, …

To Rescue or not to Rescue? That is the question…

Great Horned Owl we rescued this winter in Bucks County. Unfortunately, it didn't survive, but it was a great learning experience!

If you’re reading this chances are you love animals! Me too! However, as animal lovers, we need to know how to best protect and care for them, especially in the wild. Short Answer This question “To rescue or not,” is a difficult one to answer. Short answer –  if it’s human caused (ex. A bird …

Plants That Eat More than Sunlight!

Look up close at the long "leaves" of the sundew plant! These will curl up and look similar to a fiddlehead fern when an insect is caught.

As kids, we’re all taught that plants eat sunlight through a complex process called “Photosynthesis.” This is one of the many things that, as humans, make plants a little hard to relate to. If you’re feeling disassociated from plants, here’s something to make you feel better – some plants eat meat! Yum. Meat-Eating Plants Carnivorous …