Site Discussions
I’m sorry to hear of your husband’s passing (I did not know him), but I am glad that you are still spreading hope and joy with your work. Inspiring creativity and curiosity is so important, and your strength in sharing about your loss reflects your purity of heart and intention. I hope you continue to explore and find joy as joy presents itself in whatever form that may be. The loss of a loved one never leaves our hearts, but we can only hope to see the joy that is available periodically throughout the day, however quickly it may pass. Blessings to you.
From "Inspiring Curiosity with Clare Walker Leslie" »
My husband and I are interested in growing native plants. I found fox grapes on a weedy cemetery chain link fence. The Nashua Public Library has a great free seed swap area with a cabinet of locally donated seeds. Can fox grape plants be grown from the seeds of the grapes?
From "Harvesting the Wild Grape" »
Hi Brett,
Enjoyed your homemade charcoal article. I’m wondering if there is a practical application for an inexpensive home set up that’s eco-friendly. Do you know of any commercial grade, small scale charcoal making apparatus that could easily set up in one’s backyard? Making your own charcoal really is the final frontier. Do you think there’s a market for making your own, and if not, what barriers would you be facing like environmental challenges, local and state regulations, etc?
Thanks so much,
Jeff
From "Tricks of the Trade: Small-Scale Charcoal Production" »
Just an idea: collect a hundred emerald ash borers and put them in a blender with cup of water. Puree at high speed. Add a nutrient solution that will support viruses and bacteria. After an appropriate time, dump this into a big tank ot nutrient solution, then dilute with water and spray from the air a 50 acre plot that has no EAB so far.
Then see if that holds the EAB at bay. If so, repeat where there are big stands of ash that are not yet affected.
From "What Can We Do About EAB?" »
Beech leaf disease showed up on many of our trees this year in Halifax, Vermont.
From "A New Disease" »
What a fantastic article.
From "Cowbirds Lay Their Eggs in Other Birds’ Nests" »
On 07/8/24 at 0750 hrs I was walking along the path at Cedar Beach Long Island and for the entire hour I was walking a steady stream of dragonflies (after researching I believe they were farmers) were migrating eastward. I’ve never seen anything like it before. It was really amazing to witness.
From "Dragonflies on the Move" »
Thank you for this article. I saw these birds this spring on the edge of Shelburne Pond in VT. Not being a birder, I was leafing through Sibley in the shorebird section. I had no luck. Thanks for pointing me in the right direction.
From "Waterthrushes: Winged Kings of the Bog and Stream" »
This is interesting. I would like to know more about the effective use of the “root burritos” for protecting/preserving a tree while re-landscaping with stone.
From "Breaking Ground on our Pollinator Garden" »
Welcome and best to you in your new position.
From "Northern Woodlands Welcomes New Executive Director" »
My city south of Boston is replacing many old and diseased maple and ash with what looks like sweetgum trees. What might be attacking the maples and ashes and why is the sweetgum a good replacement?
From "What's in a Name? Tree ID for Ordinary Mortals" »
Thank you very much for this article about one of my favorite artists. I have admired her work in Northern Woodlands and galleries for many years.
From "In the Studio with Adelaide Murphy Tyrol" »
Congratulations on your gift. I have subscribed to Northern Woodlands for 20 years.
From "Center Receives First Gift of Land" »
Dear Meghan,
Thank you for the insightful article about Adelaide Tyrol. I had the pleasure of taking a course in field journaling with Adelaide at the North Branch Nature Center several years ago. Adelaide was inspiring. It gives me great pleasure to continue working in this area.
Judy Brook
From "In the Studio with Adelaide Murphy Tyrol" »
This so cool! Thank you for the information! I did not know only 10% of leeches suck blood, that’s very interesting. I think the thing people get squeamish about with them is the potential bacteria they can carry. I didn’t know they eat necrotic materials (decaying plant/animal matter), but that makes sense. They seem very interesting! (And I think the medicinal uses for them are really really cool! who thought something so seemingly disgusting could in reality be beneficial? Hah! I love it! Thanks again!
From "Leeches: They Don’t All Suck Blood" »
I noted your article said that tree sparrows breed in Alaska and Northern Canada but I am seeing them here near Albany NY at the present. What do you think would explain this? Thank you!
From "American Tree Sparrows: Hardy Winter Visitors" »
Is Magnesium Sulphate any better than Salt? Mass has been switching over to it. The state is also building a plant to produce it to lower costs.
From "Road Salt Impacts Aquatic Life Year Round" »
A very nicely written article, informative and comprehensive. Unbiased in that there is no judgment, personal opinion, or emotional response as to why cowbirds and others birds parasitize nests, just good and factual information. Thank you for such great writing!
From "Cowbirds Lay Their Eggs in Other Birds’ Nests" »
Hi,
was fishing near a solitary loon tonight. Its mate was nowhere in sight but I have observed the pair numerous times this season. They had recently lost their eggs to a predator (probably a raccoon) as their choice of nesting site this year was a poor one. Anyway, this loon seemed to be softly moaning and sort of sadly sighing. Maybe I am anthropomorphizing but wanted to report this to you and hear your impressions. Thanks!
Bill
From "If You Build It They Will Come" »