
6 Excuses to Avoid Yard Work This Fall
They grow. They turn brilliant colors. They capture our hearts. Then they make a mess. Leaves can be a hassle, but put the rake down for a moment. It turns out, …

The Wildlife Benefits of Acorns and Oaks
The time of year has come during which, when I’m reading in the evening in the silence of my home, I hear a sharp thwack! on the roof, followed by …

Native Shrubs for Fall Color and Wildlife Benefits
I used to relish the brilliant red rush of color that burning bush provides in the fall. I planted several in my yard and had one I could see through my front door sidelight that was dazzling …

Where Are Migratory Monarchs This Fall?
Each fall at about this time, I try to spend a weekend at the Black Walnut Point Inn on Maryland’s Tilghman Island in the Chesapeake Bay. Located on the southern …

Eco Boys And Girls Inspire Kids to Live and Play Sustainably
For Earth Day in 2010, Maria Snyder debuted her characters, the Eco Boys And Girls, at the Liberty Science Center. Snyder, an activist, artist and model, developed Ernie Earth, Lulu Love, Patsy Peace, Ray …

The Case of the Missing Martins
A few weeks ago, I headed down Interstate 95 from my home in Washington, D.C., to attend a quirky festival, “Gone to the Birds,” held each August in Richmond, …

Ruffled Feathers: The Scraggly Life of Molting Birds
I’ve noticed some scraggly looking birds the past few weeks. This time of year, many species go through a molt, which leaves them with a rough appearance. How embarrassing! It …

The Salad Bar is Open for Backyard Wildlife
Guest post by Amanda Frayer When we moved into our house in Washington D.C., our yard was turf, pavement and invasive species. We knew it wasn’t a true ecosystem, though …

Make a Lasting Impression with Schoolyard Habitats
Guest post by Margaret Redman. Over 5,000 schools around the world have certified their campuses with the National Wildlife Federation’s Schoolyard Habitats program. In order to become certified, schools must provide …

Why Dragonflies Would Make Brilliant Spies
Dragonflies are the spies of the natural world. They already have the deceptive cover. They are not dragons. They aren’t even flies. These fascinating creatures have been around for over 350 …