E.O. Wilson was evolutionary biologist and animal behaviorist, referred to as Charles Darwin’s natural heir. Despite a complicated legacy, his research and vision will influence ecology and conservation for generations to come...
Author archive for: Sheryl Myers
Fall Webworm Nests Are Not Harmful to Healthy Trees
In late summer each year, fall webworms become noticeable when they build their highly visible thick white webs on the tips of tree branches...
Clouds Reflect the Weather and Our Imagination
Clouds are an ever-present source of interest and entertainment. Not only do they inspire songs, stories, paintings, and pictures; they also help us predict weather patterns and plan for outdoor activities. So, what exactly is a cloud?...
Protect Soil from Erosion to Protect Life
Topsoil is the upper layer of soil that supports plant life. Plants, especially grass and other ground cover, form an extensive mat of underground roots that hold soil in place. ....
20 Years After the White River Fish Kill
Today, the White River is arguably the best smallmouth fishery in the state. Fishing guides from as far away as Canada bring groups to our river. According to Greg Spencer, Superintendent of ....
The Belted Kingfisher
From northern Canada to the Caribbean and from coast to coast, belted kingfishers inhabit both fresh water and salt water habitats. Although there are over 100 species of kingfishers around the world, the belted kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon) is the only species found in Indiana. Kingfishers perch on limbs or telephone wires overhanging rivers, streams and....
How much wood does a woodchuck chuck? Well …
Groundhogs, also known as woodchucks or whistle pigs, are a species of marmot that belongs to the ground squirrel family, along with chipmunks and prairie dogs. The species that we’re familiar with, Marmota monax, lives throughout the Midwest, from northern Georgia to northern Canada. The Algonquin (or possibly Narraganset) native tribes called them...
How Much Do You Know About Poison Ivy?
Poison ivy is a member of the sumac family, which also includes cashews, pistachios, mangoes and smoke trees. It is a genetic mystery why...
Nature’s Fireworks Display
In the world of insects, few are more charismatic than the little beetles we know as lightning bugs. The most common species in our area is Photinus pyralis, the common Eastern firefly. On warm July evenings at dusk...