If you’ve planted milkweed for monarchs in the US Southwest and started noticing big, iridescent blue wasps with bright orange wings working in the flowers (or worse, rocketing straight toward … Read more
Braelei Hardt
How to Garden for Pollinators Using Evolutionary History
There’s a quiet conversation happening in our gardens and it’s older than any one of us. A flower’s shape, color, scent, and the time of day it opens are all … Read more
Glowing in the Dark: The Secret UV Lightshow in Your Backyard
Somewhere outside your window right now, animals are glowing. You won’t see it without help, but shine an ultraviolet flashlight into your backyard on a warm night and you might … Read more
Road Salts and Deicers: How to Safely Salt for Humans and Wildlife
When winter weather hits, road salt feels like a small miracle. A quick sprinkle on sidewalks and driveways can turn dangerous ice into safer footing, and for many of us, … Read more
Leaf Layer Safari: How to Spot Hidden Moth Cocoons in Your Backyard
At first glance, a pile of autumn leaves might look like nothing more than yard debris. But hidden in that layer are secret survival shelters: the cocoons of North America’s … Read more
Wildlife We Throw Away
Fallen leaves are vital for wildlife. They offer insulation, cover from predators, and a place for wildlife to overwinter. When homeowners dispose of fallen leaves, they unknowingly destroy habitat. Additionally, … Read more
Monarchs: The Traveling Butterfly
National Wildlife Federation teams up with LG Electronics (LG) for an ongoing campaign to highlight vulnerable and endangered species. This February, LG’s Time Square display spotlights the monarch butterfly. The video brings … Read more
Awake in Winter: How Climate Change is Disrupting Black Bear Hibernation
Imagine stepping outside on a crisp winter morning and spotting a black bear rummaging through your trash can. Snow blankets the ground, and the air is chilly—conditions we associate with … Read more
Story Time: The Eastern Red Bat’s Blanket of Leaves
Please enjoy this short story from the perspective of an eastern red bat settling in for winter. The autumn air was crisp and full of promise. As the sun dipped … Read more
How Fallen Leaves Support Moths and Butterflies
Amid the crunch of autumn leaves underfoot lies a hidden ecosystem where moths and butterflies find shelter and sustenance. While it might seem like clutter to some, this layer of … Read more
