Today people around the world celebrate Earth Day, an observation created in 1970 to show global support for protecting the environment. As supporters of Overton Park Conservancy, we know that you feel a deep connection to environmental protection. In a two-part #NatureZen, Melissa and Fields
words and photos by Melissa McMasters The last week has been full of somber anniversaries and memories of when the world shut down. It’s been a year of loss, sacrifice, too much isolation (or too much togetherness!), and reorientation. It’s been a year to find
Words by Fields Falcone; photos by Fields and Mike Falcone After yesterday’s crisis account and some feeder challenges and good practices, now the fun part – attracting birds to your garden. There are a million feeders out there for sale. For basic seed, I have
In a special two-part NatureZen, our Programs Manager Fields Falcone sends a dispatch from last week’s extraordinary weather event, which she spent watching over a flock of desperate birds that on some days reached into the hundreds or thousands. In today’s post, she tackles some
words and photos by Melissa McMasters For our inaugural 2021 #NatureZen, we’re looking at some birds that are more noticeable in the winter than they are during the rest of the year: the birds of prey. (I suppose this will probably stretch the definition of
words and photos by Melissa McMasters A recent study in Ecological Economics found that living in an area with a high diversity of birds is just as important to a person’s happiness as their income. “The happiest Europeans are those who can experience numerous different bird species
photos by Melissa McMasters; words by you! Happy Halloween week, friends! Today’s edition of #NatureZen is decidedly un-Zen, as we asked you to share your deepest nature-related fears with us. We hope that it’s a light-hearted look at some creatures who are perhaps less conventionally
Guest post: words and photos by Malle Carrasco-Harris, PhD This summer, I finally jumped into a backyard project I had been thinking about for nearly four years: chickens! What a perfect adventure for the “safer at home” summer. When people find out I have chickens,
words and photos by Melissa McMasters Today we’re shining a spotlight on tiny creatures that are abundant in the Old Forest: beautiful pollinators called calligrapher flies. Named for the fine black etchings on their abdomens, these flies are mimics of stinging insects like bees and
words and photos by Melissa McMasters Today, we’re focusing on a plant that gets a bad rap. Thistles are a plant in the sunflower family with feathery, puffball-shaped flowers in varying shades of magenta. They set a deep taproot and have hairy, sometimes prickly stems.
