Red mangrove is most easily recognized by its prop roots, arching stilt-like growths that support it and lift it above the level of the water. It can be found in a wide range of coastal environments, including west Africa, the…
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The California poppy is an all American plant named by a German on a Russian ship. In July 1815 Otto von Kotzebue set sail on the tiny Russian brig with a 27 man crew. His mission, sponsored by the Russian…
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Trees play an important role in our ecosystem. It maintains the balance of the Earth’s natural landscape because of their role in preventing soil erosion. Trees also moderate ground and atmospheric temperatures by producing oxygen and reducing carbon dioxide. In…
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In 1998 Susan Orlean completed a non-fiction book called “The Orchid Thief.” In 2002, the movie “Adaptation” was released, which was loosely (very loosely) based on the book. Before these events there were probably only a handful of people who…
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The Tamarack ((Larix laricina)) is one of the three indigenous Larch species that can be found in North America. It has the greatest range of all North American conifers. The Tamarack grows across Canada and the northern United States to…
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During the spring and summer, weeding takes up a good amount of a gardener’s time. Weeds are everywhere; in amongst your vegetables, sprouting through gaps in paving, appearing in your lawn. Some of those unwanted plants are actually be very…
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It is human nature to be curious about the things around us. More importantly, humans have always been interested in other living beings, especially animals. Zoology is the scientific approach to studying animals. It is related to biology, as it…
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The never ending controversies surrounding Darwin’s Theory of Evolution comes to mind when learning the life cycle of the American Eel. The theory is that over hundreds of millions of years, humans evolved from fish that crawled out of the…
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The manta ray, Manta birostris, is a marine creature found in temperate, subtropical and tropical waters around the world. Its unusual shape makes it easily identifiable, with a flat, shovel-shaped body with curling edges, a long tail and no discernible,…
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Montana is blessed with an abundance of wildlife, from birds to rodents to big game to bears to wild cats. Having both prairies and mountains, as well as a relatively small population of people, in addition to the size of…
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