Site Discussions

A very timely article, well written and exquisitely illustrated. Heard the first call of the season this morning.

I really enjoyed this piece — the way Sydney Lea connects walking in the woods with writing and reflection feels so vivid and grounding. It reminded me how powerful nature can be for sparking creativity and helping us slow down in a world that’s always rushing. I came away wanting to spend more time off‑trail with a notebook in hand.

Fascinating article! I have always wondered about ice along waterways . . . but never thought to look up the details.

Allaire Diamond enchanted me with her description of Frullania. I’ve read this over and over just now.  Who needs to write poetry when words in a sentence can draw pictures in one’s mind.  Thanks for doing this article.

The article perfectly describes the joy and magic of walking alone in a snow filled woodlot bathing in the silence and beauty of nature.  It is especially magical if it is snowing and the sounds of the adjacent properties and human undertakings are muffled to the point of total silence.  I hope that during my winter walks I will one day have the privilege of seeing our resident bobcat (who takes advantage of my snowshoe tracks) striking a pose similar to that described in the article.  Thank you!

Thank you for this imagery that takes me back to still, sacred moments in the Vermont woods of my childhood. That feeling,  and realization, that we are part of a bigger, wilder community is so precious, and essential,  for us to experience. If every human could have that experience,  and share about it with others, what a beautiful,  hopeful thing that would be.

Joan, I thoroughly enjoyed your objectivity and your willingness to talk about the pros and cons of both your profession and the state of forest management and the forest products industry in your area. Congratulations on your personal accomplishments and your optimism. You are a beacon for the profession.

I remember Joan from when I was on the faculty at SUNY ESF (retired for 24 years).  She was very energetic, interested in many subjects and had a good, positive outlook.  Glad she is doing well.

I loved reading this interview — it gives such a vivid feel for how Daniel Mason approaches North Woods, blending human history, nature, and even the voices of birds, beetles, and trees into one sweeping story. It makes the book sound like an exploration of place and time as much as a novel, and really highlights how deeply the land itself shapes the lives of its characters.

Algea and other microbes in lakes can create the seed for ice formation. I think this is published somewhere, but the anecdote I heard during a presentation was that scientists on board a Great Lakes ice cutter had water samples in coolers on the deck of the ship. The filtered samples had not frozen while the unfiltered water froze..

Fascinating. Thank you.

The writer skillfully draws our attention to the complex ecosystem at work under the layers of winter snow. Understanding how soil stores or releases carbon is useful and essential, regardless of the percentage, especially if it is changing. I found it interesting. Thank you! P. Graham.

Typically, winter microbial activity leads to a surplus of just the right nutrients during the growing

“If these processes are slowed or altered, plants will take longer to put out fresh growth, dragging stick season into mud season and leading to increased uncertainty about when to plant crops.”  Well written article, and I’m glad for the study.  But, the study seems to be about winter snow and forest soil.  Can this be translated to meadows, agricultural fields?  Thanks!  Carol Kulp

Congratulations Jessica, on being named the PA DCNR Service Forester of the Year at the 2026 Bureau of Forestry Winter Meeting!  So Well Deserved!

This story misses an important point, which is that soil micro organisms contribute a significant amount of CO2 to the atmosphere through their respiratory processes.  An estimated one-fifth of atmospheric CO2 comes from soil organisms including microbes.  Warming trends which favor soil micro organism growth are projected to cause increases in CO2 emissions; that may be good for breaking down detritus for plant nutrients, but imposes a carbon load which is not so good.  Most CO2 from soil microbes comes from tropical regions, while temperate regions produce less than 10% - and probably have always been slowed down by winter, snow cover or not.  The author states that ‘microbes… draw down carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and fix it in stable forms.’ which is partly true, of the ‘autotrophic’ microbes, but those contribute less that 1/2 of 1% of carbon stored in the soil - the majority of microbes are heterotrophs which respire using oxygen and releasing CO2.  Please correct me if I’m wrong.

Hello Ramona!
Hope you’re doing well.  I miss my roommate from Bacone College.

I have lived all but a about a half decade of 7 decades in the Upper Valley. My dad was an outdoorsman who shared his deep knowledge of all things like some of those explained so well and properly above. I learned it hearing words like “partridge, poplar, popple, curly birch, ironwood”. The sign (scat) of wild animals and the sign (seeds) of trees are wonderful to explore in winter. So glad there are people in my world still sharing this information and beauty. My dad would appreciate this as well.

I live in the foothills and my cat kills theses little rat type of animal but we are supposed to be rat free Alberta so someone told me theses critters could be pack rats ! I enjoyed your article.

I saw a hawk in my yard. They eat my rabbits and other animals. I threw a snowball at it. Scared and flew away.

Wonderful article, have seen this author on NEW HAMPSHIRE CHRONICLE. Love the books!