The Art of Ecology
Building visual connections between people and nature.
Tag: The Art of Ecology
Role of Snow Melt in Healthy Ecosystems
By mid-February, I am 100% done with winter weather and am ready for spring sunshine! Thanks to climate change I hear the birds starting to sing and witness the return of the migratory Red-Winged Blackbird in late-February to early March. There have been several days above 60 degrees Fahrenheit, and the snow, if we got …
Foraged Snacks to Celebrate Snack Food Month!
Did you know that February is National Snack Food Month? To celebrate, head outside and gather up some locally foraged ingredients, make some tasty goodies, and sit back and munch away! Foraged Vs. Commercially Raised Plants Wild-harvested plants, when done sustainably and safely, can be so much healthier than similar foods purchased in a store. …
Interpreting Tree Rings
We know that in looking at a tree slice, we can count the rings to tell the age, but did you know that we can learn a LOT more than just age from the rings? What are Tree Rings? When you cut a slice of tree, you are left with what’s called a Tree Cookie. …
Peach Fuzz – Pantone’s 2024 Color of the Year in Nature
Hibiscus, orchids, and soft sunrises bring a soothing sort of cheer. The color of these natural scapes are so welcome, but what exactly is that color called? Pantone has selected Peach Fuzz, a soft, pinkish-orange hue to be the 2024 color of the year! PANTONE 13-1023 Peach Fuzz captures our desire to nurture ourselves and …
Liquid Spine Project in Massachusetts Partially-Funded by The Art of Ecology’s Conservation Mini-Grant
Ranging from movement workshops to beach cleanups, film screenings and lectures, to semester-length classes, we seek to educate, protect, and preserve our water systems though knowledge, action, and community empowerment. Katie Pustizzi, MFA: Liquid Spine On June 11, 2023 Liquid Spine completed their Global Water Dances Project. The projectculminated in a free, public performance in …
Who’s that knocking on my tree?
Throughout the year, we can hear the resounding “Rap-tap-tapping” of woodpeckers slamming their chisel-like beaks into the sides of trees, so why might we see more of them in autumn and winter? The primary reason is because there is a lack of foliage to get in the way of our sight! Many of our local …
It’s Spooky Season! Creep on Wildlife Skulls
It’s spooky season! It may be spooky to find a skull or animal bones in the woods while hiking, however this decomposition process is an important part of the circle of life. Trigger Warning – the next section of the post addresses death. Other autumnal/Halloween posts can be found below if you need to move …
Eastern Coyotes – Who Are They?
In the ecotone—a transition area between two habitats—that is the entire region where I live (Southeastern PA), where nature butts up against suburbia, we can expect to have more engagements with wildlife than our city cousins. Some encounters may be welcome, like watching a cottontail rabbit romping past or a bald eagle ascend overhead, while …
Fall Fungi Madness
September marks National Mushroom Month since many fungi start appearing this time of year. Whether you’re looking for mushrooms to eat, to use for making botanical dye, or just because you plain old appreciate them and find them fascinating, September is a great time to search for fungus. As the temperature drops and the late …
Butterfly Wings & Their Function
I always love seeing the beauty of butterflies this time of year as they flit around from flower to flower! I love the vibrant orange of the Monarchs and Viceroys, the yellow of the Tiger Swallowtails, and the blue-ish spots of the Red-Spotted Purple. Colorful butterfly wings also have fascinating anatomy that helps them fly …
