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National Wildflower Week is May 6-13 — it’s the perfect time to visit a botanic garden or park where you can see spring blooms of the native variety. With hundreds of public gardens throughout the country, there is sure to be one near you. An increasing number of them have sections devoted to wildflowers and [...]

Spring rains mean that the historic drought in Texas may be over and that’s very good news for Galveston Bay. The multi-year drought reduced freshwater flow into the Bay from the Trinity River and other tributaries, making it saltier and creating detrimental conditions for native finfish, crustaceans and shellfish. The high salinity levels also helped [...]

Beginning in mid-April whales begin to arrive in the Gulf of Maine, many with newborn calves, to feast on plentiful sand eels, copepods, plankton and fish. Familiar visitors to Maine’s cold waters include humpback whales (whose Latin name, Megaptera novaeangliae, means “Big-winged New Englander”), pilot whales, minkes and massive finback whales, which can grow to [...]

Are you unknowingly harboring tiny hitch-hikers? One of the ways pests, diseases and harmful weeds spread is by hitching a ride with humans, pets and vehicles. An invasive pest is one that is introduced to areas that are not part of its natural range, where it may not have any natural enemies to keep its [...]

Are you unknowingly harboring tiny hitch-hikers? One of the ways pests, diseases and harmful weeds spread is by hitching a ride with humans, pets and vehicles. An invasive pest is one that is introduced to areas that are not part of its natural range, where it may not have any natural enemies to keep its [...]

Are you unknowingly harboring tiny hitch-hikers? One of the ways pests, diseases and harmful weeds spread is by hitching a ride with humans, pets and vehicles. An invasive pest is one that is introduced to areas that are not part of its natural range, where it may not have any natural enemies to keep its [...]

Growing native plants that provide edible fruit can be a fun way to explore new culinary options. Chile pequin peppers grow in many parts of the country and are used to spice Southwestern food. Native fruit trees such as plum are available in some plant nurseries, as are Eastern and Texas persimmons. Varieties of prickly [...]

Birds are on the move!  Migratory birds are traveling from their wintering grounds in Mexico, Central and South America to the U.S. and Canada, where they feast on abundant insects and plant foods during spring and summer.  How do they know when to leave and where to go? Birds that migrate short distances – such [...]

Birds are on the move!  Migratory birds are traveling from their wintering grounds in Mexico, Central and South America to the U.S. and Canada, where they feast on abundant insects and plant foods during spring and summer.  How do they know when to leave and where to go? Birds that migrate short distances – such [...]

Birds are on the move!  Migratory birds are traveling from their wintering grounds in Mexico, Central and South America to the U.S. and Canada, where they feast on abundant insects and plant foods during spring and summer.  How do they know when to leave and where to go? Birds that migrate short distances – such [...]

Birds are on the move!  Migratory birds are traveling from their wintering grounds in Mexico, Central and South America to the U.S. and Canada, where they feast on abundant insects and plant foods during spring and summer.  How do they know when to leave and where to go? Birds that migrate short distances – such [...]

Birds are on the move!  Migratory birds are traveling from their wintering grounds in Mexico, Central and South America to the U.S. and Canada, where they feast on abundant insects and plant foods during spring and summer.  How do they know when to leave and where to go? Birds that migrate short distances – such [...]

Birds are on the move!  Migratory birds are traveling from their wintering grounds in Mexico, Central and South America to the U.S. and Canada, where they feast on abundant insects and plant foods during spring and summer.  How do they know when to leave and where to go? Birds that migrate short distances – such [...]

New research shows that estuaries are vital for salmon survival. Pacific salmon species—Chinook, Coho, sockeye, pink and chum, in particular—use intertidal marsh areas in estuaries as transition zones to acclimatize from fresh to salt water and back again as they complete their life cycles. Among the findings: marsh habitats are consistently used by juvenile Chinook [...]

Is the lower Hudson River really a river…or is it an estuary? The answer is both. In spring, rains and snow melt often force fresh water down the Hudson turning the tidal watercourse into an almost purely freshwater river. But by summer, salt water can push its way up the Hudson River more than 70 [...]

Although the drought in Texas and other states in 2011 meant fewer wildflowers bloomed to produce seeds last year, many native plants have a trick up their stems: they produce seeds in plentiful years that  “sit out” lean ones. These seeds can go dormant or lower their metabolism until conditions improve. Fall and winter rains [...]

The 2012 Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) takes place from Friday, February 17 through Monday, February 22. Each year, volunteers across the country tally the birds they see in backyards, parks and natural areas. Last year, GBBC participants racked up more than 11 million observations and identified 596 species! Counting birds during GBBC helps scientists [...]

Each year, World Wetlands Day is celebrated on February 2nd. Wetlands come in many forms and go by many names – estuaries, bogs, mangrove swamps, vernal pools, marshes, riparian wetlands, cypress swamps, playa lakes and more! Wetland areas improve water quality, provide flood protection and support tons of fish, wildlife and plants. If you’ve been [...]

Bald eagles are found throughout North America, and the Northern Mississippi Valley is a great winter viewing spot. Up to 5,000 bald eagles winter on the Mississippi River between Cairo, IL and St. Paul, MN.  Bald eagles prefer habitats near open water where there is an abundance of fish, as well as old-growth forest and [...]

Native trees beautify landscapes while providing shelter for birds and other wildlife. They also provide shade that lowers home heating costs, as well as fruits, nuts and berries. Whether you want to replace a favorite oak in the near future or learn to care for trees you have, you can learn more about trees that [...]