Happy World Oceans Day! The earth’s oceans are a significant aspect of this planet, touching everyone’s lives both directly and indirectly. Covering ¾ of the Earth’s surface, they contain 97% of the Earth’s water, and represent 99% of the living space on the planet with at least 200,000 identified marine species. Most of the ocean […]
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Overview: Listed as threatened or endangered in most states, the Yellow-Fringed Orchid ranges from southern New England west to southern Ontario (historic), southern Michigan, Illinois south along the coastal plain to Florida, and west to Texas, Oklahoma and Missouri. Its flowers are bright yellow to orange in coloring, with distinctive fringed lips, and clustered in
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Background: Many of you are probably finding an abundance of this aggressive invader in your gardens this time of year. Garlic mustard, or Alliaria petiolate is an herbaceous, biennial forb recognized by the garlic odor it releases when crushed. Originally from Europe, it was introduced in the U.S. in the 1800’s for medicinal and culinary
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Earth Day was first celebrated on April 22, 1970 when tens of millions of people took part in rallies across America, following an enormous oil spill that happened the previous year in Santa Barbara, California. As a result, many environmentally focused changes and awareness followed, such as the Clean Air Act, Endangered Species Act, and
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Overview: The smallest of the three bear species found in North America, the American black bear is black, brown or cinnamon. They have short, non-retractable claws that allow them to climb trees easily. This species is found throughout North America, from Canada to Mexico, inhabiting both coniferous and deciduous forests, as well as open
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Overview: Considered the national emblem of the United States, the bald eagle has flourished under protection. Larger than most other raptors, it possesses a heavy body, large head, and long, hooked bill. Known for its white head that is not actually bald, adult bald eagles also have tails with dark brown bodies and wings. They
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Overview: Cirsium lecontei occurs on the sandy pinelands of southern coastal plain in damp soil (where co-occurring species include Myrica, Cyrilla, and Ilex), specifically in the states of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina and South Carolina. They are also found in moist to wet grassy pine savannas and pine barrens, bogs (other species present include pitcher plants, Ilex, sedges, grasses, and sphagnum), and roadside ditches. LeConte’s thistle is a perennial
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March 21 marks the International Day of Forests, a holiday that was created by the UN in 2013 to bring awareness to the importance of all types of forests on our planet. This day comes before World Water Day on the calendar, as the two are intrinsically linked in an important relationship that sustains life
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This Federally Endangered Wood Stork was captured on camera by NALT Conservation Biologist, Peter Smith, during a Monitoring visit to the property. This long-legged bird was observed practicing his put and strut between holes 13 and 14 on Rose Hill golf course, upon which a Conservation Easement was donated. Overview: The Wood Stork is large
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These American Alligators were spotted by our Conservation Biologist, Peter Smith, on Rose Hill golf course in South Carolina, a property on which a conservation easement was donated to NALT Overview: The American Alligator is considered the largest reptile in North America. Often confused with crocodile species, it is distinguished by its rounded snout, as
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