By Michael Dover
I use a sport-utility vehicle that burns no gasoline. It doesn’t run on diesel or ethanol or electricity. It doesn’t emit greenhouse gases or any other pollutant. And I can park it almost anywhere.
By David Spector
Among the earliest birds to move north as the days lengthen in winter are common grackles, members of the New World blackbird family. Here in western Massachusetts, we often see noticeable increases in their numbers as early as February.
By Ted Watt
One of my favorite spring wildflowers is the jack-in-the-pulpit, a common native perennial in deciduous woodlands throughout our area. Although it’s not showy, it has some of the most interesting adaptations of any plant you’re likely to come across while on a spring woods walk.
By Michael Dover
The spring equinox is upon us, daylight saving time has already begun, and our thoughts are turning toward the growing light and warmth. We’re opening the windows, clearing out clutter and preparing the ground—and ourselves—for this year’s lawn and garden work. This would also be a good time to take a hard look at the hazards that may be lurking in your basement, closet, shed or under the sink: chemical pesticides.
By David Spector
Many people seem to consider the observation of changing states of matter synonymous with boredom. “Waiting for water to boil” or “watching snow melt” are comparisons made to the least interesting events in life, but naturalists view these events differently. At this time of year, snow melt provides me with many fascinating episodes of nature-watching.
By Elizabeth Farnsworth
I’m not quite sure when the word “journal” became an optional verb, but my spell- checker accepts the term “journaling” without a hiccup. So, the activity must be acceptable, dare I say mainstream, even if too few of us—as adults, anyway— permit ourselves the time to do it.
By Alan Emond
The air is cool—no, it’s frigid—the moon is near full and the souls of trees are imprinted in darkened outlines breaking the purity of glistening snow cover. Clouds roll by and darkness is again complete. There, in the not-so-distant hay field, a cry clings to the wind until reaching your ear. A pause, then another joined by multiple voices. A chorus of primitive origin, passing over polished teeth, timeless cries from deep within. The song of the eastern coyote nips at your heels.
By David Spector
The science of ecology often entails studying the distribution and abundance of species: Why are they where they are, and what determines their population size? On a single day of bird watching, I had the opportunity to observe two species whose presence and numbers led to very different answers to these questions, even as their lives intersected.
By Ted Watt
What’s that stuff on the snow? It looks like pepper, and there’s lots of it. It’s dark blue. And it’s jumping. Hey, it’s tiny bugs!
By David Spector
It’s winter—time for cold and snow and… breeding season?
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Hitchcock Center for the Environment
at Hampshire College
845 West Street | Amherst MA 01002 | 413.256.6006 | 413.253.2809 fax