In the beginning of October, fall colors had just begun to touch Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina and Tennessee. Each view was more beautiful in the last, cool weather allowing a long viewshed. Continue reading Fall Comes to Great Smoky Mountains National Park
First published by the Duke Nicholas School. Every year since 1934, hunters hoping to go after waterfowl or other migratory birds have been obligated to buy a Duck Stamp. Once purchased, 98 cents of every dollar spent on the stamp goes … Continue reading The United States Duck Stamp
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
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
First published by the Duke Nicholas School. Sigh. These days it’s no fun to read the news. Most of the environmental stories are bad, and even the “good” ones don’t hold up to closer inspection. Take the West Indian Manatee, … Continue reading Delisting the Manatee
Nothing beats kayaking in the Florida Keys; on a clear day the water and sky almost blend into each other! the Great White Heron National Wildlife Refuge includes undeveloped mangrove islands, completely full of squawking birds. Continue reading Kayaking in Great White Heron National Wildlife Refuge
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
First published by the Duke Nicholas School. It was the last few days of 2016, and I was in the office. Though I was lucky enough to take off a bunch of days around Christmas, I had to make up … Continue reading Wait, is that a baby eagle?
This beautiful flower unfurled its petals on the side of a trail in the Florida Panhandle. Though I was hiking the Garcon Point Trail to look for birds, I found myself equally mesmerized by all the late-fall blossoms around my … Continue reading A Florida Flower Blooms
Until I moved to Florida, I had no idea gar existed. Ancient fish, these species swim throughout waters in the southeast and can weigh hundreds of pounds. I spotted this Florida Gar in Picayune Strand, near the Everglades. Florida Gar … Continue reading A Unique Florida Creature: The Gar
One World, Two Feet 