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Science

Forests & Their Benefits for Children’s Health

July 16, 2022 by Paul Hetzler Leave a Comment

Striped maple growing at the edge of a forest with pine and hickory in the background courtesy Wikimedia user N3362Although the Grimm Brothers’ tale of Hansel and Gretel surviving alone in the woods after being abandoned by their parents is based on a grim reality – the famine of 1315-1317 – there are compelling reasons to take kids into a forest today.

As long as they are kept out of the clutches of evil witches, and are brought to their respective homes right afterward. [Read more…] about Forests & Their Benefits for Children’s Health

Filed Under: Nature, Recreation Tagged With: Education, nature, Public Health, Science, trees

Water Bears: Resilient Tardigrades

July 2, 2022 by Guest Contributor Leave a Comment

microscope image of a Tardigrade courtesy Schokraie E, Warnken U, Hotz-Wagenblatt A, Grohme MA, Hengherr S When asked to name the most resilient animal, not many people likely think of tardigrades. In fact, most people probably don’t even know that tardigrades exist. Affectionately called water bears or moss piglets, these microscopic invertebrates, live almost anywhere there is water – from lakes and rivers to the ocean and even in the watery film of terrestrial moss and lichen. And although they might not look like it – with their chubby little arms churning the water on a microscope slide – they are the most resilient animals on earth. [Read more…] about Water Bears: Resilient Tardigrades

Filed Under: Nature Tagged With: nature, oceanography, Science, Wildlife

Moth Diversity in Our Landscape

June 18, 2022 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

Dr. Janet Mihuc's moth collectionOn Planet Earth, there are some 5,400 species of animals, 11,000 species of birds, 18,000 species of butterflies — and 160,000 species of moths.

That was just one of the many largely unknown facts shared by Paul Smith College’s Professor of Biology Janet Mihuc at a recent meeting of the Adirondack Garden Club held at the Ausable Club in St. Huberts in the High Peaks. [Read more…] about Moth Diversity in Our Landscape

Filed Under: Adirondacks & NNY, Nature Tagged With: Adirondack Garden Club, gardening, insects, moths, nature, Science, Wildlife

Duck Nesting Season Is In Full Swing

June 11, 2022 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

duck eggs courtesy DECThroughout northeastern North America, ducks are setting up nests and hatching out ducklings. New York State’s

Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is in the first year of a four-year effort to better understand mallard movements and how they affect their breeding success. [Read more…] about Duck Nesting Season Is In Full Swing

Filed Under: Nature Tagged With: birding, birds, DEC, nature, Science, Spring, waterfowl, wetlands, wildife

2022 Long Island Sound Seaweed Bioextraction Symposium

May 15, 2022 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

harvested sugar kelp hanging to dry in a greenhouse by Deborah AllerThe New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has announced the 2022 Long Island Sound Seaweed Bioextraction Symposium will be held virtually this year on May 18th and 19th, from 1 to 5 pm. [Read more…] about 2022 Long Island Sound Seaweed Bioextraction Symposium

Filed Under: Events, Food, Nature, New York City Tagged With: Conferences, Long Island, Long Island Sound, Marine Life, Science

The Horaltic Pose: Sunbathing Birds

May 14, 2022 by Guest Contributor 1 Comment

turkey vulture courtesy Wikimedia user Peter K BurianOne cold spring morning, a turkey vulture soared across the sky and landed high in a tree behind my house. I soon noticed another vulture, most likely its mate, in a nearby oak.

This one was perched with its back to the sun and its gigantic wings outspread. It remained in place, giving me a good look at its impressive wingspan – nearly 6 feet – and the light filtering through its long, silvery wingtips, or “fingers.” [Read more…] about The Horaltic Pose: Sunbathing Birds

Filed Under: Nature Tagged With: birding, birds, nature, Science, Turkey Vultures, Wildlife

Global Bird Populations Steadily Declining

May 7, 2022 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

Corn Bunting by Alex LeesStaggering declines in bird populations are taking place around the world. So concludes a study from scientists at multiple institutions, recently published in the journal Annual Review of Environment and Resources.

Loss and degradation of natural habitats and direct over-exploitation of many species are cited as the key threats to avian biodiversity. Climate change is identified as an emerging driver of bird population declines. [Read more…] about Global Bird Populations Steadily Declining

Filed Under: Nature Tagged With: birding, birds, Climate Change, Cornell Lab of Ornithology, nature, Science, Wildlife

Avian Influenza Detected in New York’s Wild Birds; Take Down Feeders

April 21, 2022 by Editorial Staff 2 Comments

Distribution of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza H5 and H5N1 in North America, 2021 2022The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has confirmed that Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) virus has been found in multiple wild bird species in several areas of New York State.

No known HPAI human infections are documented in the U.S., and according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, these recent cases of HPAI do not present an immediate public health concern for most people. However, people in contact with known infected or possibly infected birds should take precautions to protect against infection and avian researchers are concerned that bird baths and bird feeders can help spread the virus and are asking that they be taken down for a few months.   [Read more…] about Avian Influenza Detected in New York’s Wild Birds; Take Down Feeders

Filed Under: Food, Nature Tagged With: birding, birds, DEC, local farms, nature, Public Health, raptors, Science, waterfowl, Wildlife

Hudson River Lesson Plans For K-12 Teachers

April 10, 2022 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

Hudson River Watershed mapThe Hudson River Estuary Program announced a new Hudson River Curriculum Guide, featuring original lesson plans from the Estuary Program and its partners. The inquiry-based, multi-component science guide is designed for teachers and students to enhance STEM learning, as well as deepen their engagement and understanding of the Hudson River and its watershed. [Read more…] about Hudson River Lesson Plans For K-12 Teachers

Filed Under: Adirondacks & NNY, Capital-Saratoga, Hudson Valley - Catskills, Nature, New York City Tagged With: Climate Change, Education, Hudson River, Hudson River Estuary Program, Hudson River Valley, nature, Science, water quality

Underwater Eggs: It’s Spawning Season For Pickerel

April 9, 2022 by Guest Contributor Leave a Comment

spawning pike courtesy Wikimedia user MillaTom Each year, soon after ice out, torpedo-shaped fish slip into the lake’s weedy shallows from that offshore zone where the bottom falls away. First comes the female, her flanks green and gold, and her ovaries swollen with eggs. The male swims alongside, alert for an opportunity to mate.

Over the course of a day or two, they will periodically turn their vents toward each other and simultaneously release eggs and milt. In the next moment, they’ll lash their tails to spread the fertilized eggs over submerged vegetation. It’s spawning season for chain pickerel, and every egg faces an iffy future. [Read more…] about Underwater Eggs: It’s Spawning Season For Pickerel

Filed Under: Nature Tagged With: fish, Fisheries, nature, Science, Wildlife

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