The miraculous migration of Monarch butterflies reminds us of the importance of the restoration and preservation of monarch habitat. Without proper habitat for each stage of its life cycle, Monarchs cannot make their remarkable generational journey back to a few acres to survive winter. Migration of the Monarch: Monarch migration is one of nature’s great…
Typically, news stories about the Endangered Species Act (ESA) only mention controversy surrounding the 45-year-old law, and not that it is one of the most important laws in the world protecting biodiversity, or that it has been 99% effective in preventing species extinction. In fact, were it not for the act, 227 additional species would…
Dragonflies -The Hawks of the Insect World Are Important Environmental Indicators Dragonflies are an ancient family of insects. They have been around for 300 million years — predating even the dinosaurs. Some ancient dragonflies had a wingspan of more than 2 feet. Today, there are more than 5,000 different species of dragonflies and they can…
Nesting boxes can provide surprises Installing nesting structures, like bird nesting boxes, can be a great way to help wildlife. If properly installed and maintained, nesting boxes can provide a critical component of habitat for wildlife. And as with all things natural — nesting structures can provide a few delightful surprises. This has certainly been…
The Result of Commercial Hunting State Wildlife Agencies are a result of and a response to the unrestrained carnage that was commercial hunting. This unbecoming spectacle decimated game and non-game species during the latter half of the nineteenth century. The mass killing did not truly end until the 1930s. By that time many iconic species…
Restoring and protecting natural filters in the environment was the solution It is a complex system. Delivering clean water to a city of 8.6 million residents requires a great deal of planning and engineering. But in New York City, the most critical component of their water works system maybe the simplest: restoring and protecting natural filters…
My friend Rob Hunt is a field ecologist. As such he spends many days and nights outdoors, around 200 each year. In this adventure, written from his field notes, he found Edward Abbey’s blessing: “may your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view.” — Richard Pritzlaff, President, Biophilia Foundation _…
Horseshoe Crabs Give Us a Lot to Learn About Relationships take work. Even our relationship with nature. If we are to develop a biophilic relationship with the natural world, we must work at it. As parents, my wife and I are mindful of developing a positive relationship between our twin boys and nature. A personal…
Our Earth Household Our world needs regenerative cities as an antidote to the conventional industrial approach to urban living. Today it is estimated that 54.4 percent of the human population lives in cities. Approximately, 60 percent will live in cities by the year 2030. (1) This increasing shift represents a major migration of humans from…
Photo Above: The Wood Duck is one of the most beautiful birds but has suffered great population losses due to market hunting and loss of habitat. Fortunately, government regulations and the actions of private individuals have helped their populations to rebound but threats remain. (Photo courtesy of Chesapeake Wildlife Heritage) My wife has done…