Growing up in the Pocono’s, my entire childhood was spent immersed in the woods. I built little tree forts, explored the ephemeral streams that wound through the leaf litter, and climbed the tallest cliffs and boulders dotting the Pennsylvanian forest. As an excitable human with a child’s heart and great imagination, forests mean adventure! As …
Category: Climate Change, Plants, Special Conservation Designated Events, The Art of Ecology Tags: biodiversity, Climate Change, explore, forests, national forest week, national forests, opt outside, trees
The Summer Solstice also marks a special day to me – World Giraffe Day! This day was created by the Giraffe Conservation Foundation (GCF) to raise awareness about and celebrate this vulnerable and endangered species. Did you know that Giraffes are considered a Keystone Species? This means that giraffes are an animal that impact the …
Category: Animals, conservation, Endangered Species, Special Conservation Designated Events, sustainability, The Art of Ecology, Travel, Wildlife Behavior Tags: advocacy, africa, Climate Change, conservation, education, forests, giraffe, habitat destruction, kenya, keystone species, nature, sustainability, sustainable agriculture, wildlife, wildlife habitat, world giraffe day
There are so many reasons to love trees beyond “they look nice”. Even hugging trees has it’s benefits (click here for more information on getting immersed in forests). Here are my top reasons for getting excited about trees: Provide Oxygen – You know, the stuff we breath! We inhale oxygen (O2), and exhale Carbon Dioxide …
Category: Backyard Habitats, Climate Change, conservation, Gardening, Plants, The Art of Ecology Tags: arbor day, benefits, conservation, forests, nature, Plants, trees
While we may first think of these tiny creatures as garden pests, snails are very important members of the ecosystem and should be valued! Snails eat leaves – yes, they do like leaves in your garden – but their favorite food is rotting vegetation and fungi. Sometimes they will also ingest soil in order to …
Category: Animals, Backyard Habitats, Gardening, The Art of Ecology Tags: Animals, calcium, decomposer, eco-friendly, ecosystem, forests, Gardening, gardening for wildlife, land snails, malacology, nutrient cycle, predators, snails, soil, trees
The amount of diversity in this world is absolutely amazing! There are so many skin tones, hair colors (mine is blue and will be purple in a few days…), eye colors, heights, shapes…. you get it – this list could go on and on… Did you know that there is even MORE diversity in the …
Category: Adaptations, Identification, Plants, The Art of Ecology Tags: Adaptations, bark, biodiversity, exfoliating bark, forests, lenticel, plant ID, Plants, skin, trees