Yakushima is there to remind you how close Japan is to Hawaii. It’s not quite as warm, but it has monkeys, so… even-Steven? Yakushima is also closer to mainland Japan than Hawaii is to mainland US, but everyone that we … Continue reading Yakushima: If New Zealand and Hawaii Had an Island Baby
First posted by the Duke Nicholas School. In the midst of patchwork agricultural fields, grown tall with corn, my husband and I discovered Moores Creek National Battlefield. I use the word ‘discover’ loosely, as the battlefield is clearly marked on … Continue reading Discovering Moores Creek Battlefield
Continued from Monkeys and Noodles. After obsessing over their pictures on the internet and in text books for years, I finally met the famous Snow Monkey, in Snow Monkey Park in Shibu Onsen, Japan. LET ME TELL YOU ABOUT IT! Are … Continue reading Sea Monkeys (Almost)
If you’ve read my other posts, you might be wondering why I traveled to Japan when I don’t like sushi (or green tea, or mushrooms…. I know, I’m a monster). The main reason was that I wanted to go where … Continue reading Monkeys & Noodles
Down a rural road in the middle of a wide swath of pine woods sits the Blackwater Fisheries Research and Development Center, on the border between Okaloosa and Santa Rosa Counties. I arrived early on a weekday morning, ready to … Continue reading Visiting Alligator Gar on the Florida Panhandle
This bright green anole was catching some rays on a wooden bridge in the Eglin Air Force Base area of the Florida National Scenic Trail. I hiked over 12 miles that day, but this reptile remains one of the most interesting creatures … Continue reading Wildlife on the Florida National Scenic Trail
First published by the Duke Nicholas School of the Environment. In my house, car and office, one will find a wide variety of checklists and site passports. On my couch sits a bright blue passport book listing National Wildlife Refuges, complete … Continue reading The Allure of Site Passports and Stamps
My experience in the cat café was very much the opposite of my experience in the fish market. While the cat café was tiny, warm, and relaxing, the fish market was giant, cold, and jarring. Japan is expert-level at these … Continue reading One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Haiku Fish
First published by the Duke Nicholas School. In mid-January, I hopped on a boat from a Key West, Florida, harbor with my colleagues from the Natural Resources Leadership Institute. As the sun rose higher in the morning sky, we diligently … Continue reading Snorkeling in Key West
Remember those old cartoons where someone is making a decision, and there’s a devil whispering in one ear, and an angel in the other? That’s how I feel every time I’m presented with the opportunity for an up-close animal experience. … Continue reading Visiting One of Japan’s Cat Cafés
Zion National Park is one of the most beautiful places I have ever been. Utah is famous for its national parks. Most famous parks in Utah allow visitors to stand above beautiful canyons and rivers and look down; however, Zion is unique … Continue reading Scenes from Zion National Park
Blog first published by the Duke Nicholas School. It was just past 8:30 a.m. on a Saturday morning, but already a small crowd had gathered at the Blackwater Fisheries Research and Development Center in Okaloosa County, Florida. Based on the … Continue reading Birding with the Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail
