Nature Notes

The Colors of Fall

September 12, 2024

Aldie Mansion, Heritage Conservancy’s headquarters, bathed in autumn leaves. Some of us welcome the fall season with open arms, while others dread the onset of shorter days and frigid weather….

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10 Common Local Animals We Take for Granted: An Appreciation and Guide

August 9, 2024

Appreciating the Familiar In the spring of 2019, I studied abroad in Madagascar, an island where people live with some of the world’s most unique species. One of those incredible…

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Why Moths Are Underappreciated Insects

July 11, 2024

Moths are key pollinators and a vital food source for birds and wildlife. Learn why these underappreciated insects are critical to healthy ecosystems.

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Thinking Through a Lawn-to-Habitat Conversion Project

June 20, 2024

Right now, if you look out the nearest window, I bet you can see a lawn. Or at the very least, you can walk a short distance to find one….

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Reasons to Embrace Rainy Days

May 9, 2024

It’s widely acknowledged that most people prefer to stay indoors when rainy days arrive. Precipitation often brings about uncomfortable conditions, making everything feel cold and damp. However, I hold the…

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The Importance of Nest Boxes for Birds

April 11, 2024

We have lost almost 3 billion birds since 1970 in North America alone. There are many causes, however, habitat loss and degradation are some of the main reasons. The development…

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What’s Up in the Woods? A Guide to Spring Ephemerals

March 14, 2024

Every spring, a miniature forest blooms on the forest floor in the window of warmth and sunlight before the woody giants put out their leaves. These are the spring ephemerals….

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Cedar Waxwings: Beyond the Beauty

February 8, 2024

Pennsylvania is home to an amazing array of bird diversity. As of 2024, over 430 species of birds have been reported from the Keystone state – a fair portion of…

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A Very Brief History of Southeastern PA’s Geology

January 11, 2024

4.6 billion years is a long story to tell within a human lifetime, let alone a single article, yet here I am trying to sum up PA’s place – southeastern…

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In Praise of Snow and its Vital Role in Wildlife Habitat

December 14, 2023

Snow protects plant roots, insulates soil, and supports wildlife survival. Explore the ecological importance of winter snow in Pennsylvania forests.

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Pawpaw: A Big Fruit in Need of Bigger Love

November 9, 2023

If you’ve never heard of the fruit and tree known as Pawpaw, you’re not alone, and if you have heard of it, chances are you’re a big fan. As the…

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Autumn’s Very Own: Meet the Witch Hazel

October 12, 2023

The basic strategy for plant life in temperate climates is to maximize above-ground activity during the spring and summer months when warmth, water, and light are plentiful. Yet there is…

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