Lost Memories and Empty Forests: The Passenger Pigeon
Can we miss a memory we’ve never had? Few people realize that the hardwood forests of eastern U.S. are now devoid of what was once the most abundant bird in North America – the passenger pigeon.
Are Worms Natural? The Global Worming Debate
To be more specific, are earthworms natural? For the chronically busy and distracted, the short answer to that question is – absolutely not! Earthworms are not natural! Not even a little bit! At least they’re not natural if they’re non-native, introduced earthworms that are devouring the forest floor and radically changing the ecology of some … Continue reading
A Natural Education at WSU
I just witnessed a race to survive on campus – quite literally. And the winner managed, but ever so barely, to survive. That’s what I call reality – and it’s certainly not like the fake, highly contrived reality offered on television. It makes me wonder how much natural education students miss by spending their days … Continue reading
Green Grass, Muskrats, and Geese
While checking on the Arboretum yesterday to see how the spring rains were treating the landscape, I came across a pair of Canada geese (Branta canadensis) grazing on new grass emerging from the seeding of a constructed area we call the Gathering Circle. The geese brought back memories of my relative youth as a budding … Continue reading
Rod Sayler
Nature @ WSU 