Nature Notes
What’s Up in the Woods? A Guide to Spring Ephemerals
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
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
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
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
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
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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Chimney Swifts: A Species in Decline
A chimney swift darts over a pond in Prospect Park in NYC. Photo by Ryan Mandelbaum. Introduction The US Committee of the North American Bird Conservation Initiative (NABCI) published its…
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Find These Three Mushrooms of Summer
We’ve reached the depths of summer, as evidenced by intense waves of heat and humidity. Solace from our powerful sun awaits beneath the shade of trees, and lucky for us,…
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The Mountain Laurel – PA’s State Flower
Explore the history and ecology of mountain laurel, Pennsylvania’s state flower, and its importance to native woodland ecosystems.
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The Other Pollinators
A red milkweed beetle. Most of our pollinators get overlooked for one reason or another. Some are too tiny, simply living out of sight and out of mind, whereas others…
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Turtles on the Road: How to Help
Eastern Box Turtle found crossing a quiet back road. The months of May and June usually spring most of our wildlife into action. With cooler temperatures quickly fading, resources become…
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The Benefits of Downed Wood
Chicken of the woods fungi living on a dead log on Heritage Conservancy preserved land (Photo by Sebastian Harris). All trees have a life expectancy. In Pennsylvania, some trees (like…
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Historic Aldie Mansion
85 Old Dublin Pike
Doylestown, PA 18901
