Think about soil for a moment: the brown, lumpy, crusty stuff that makes up the ground you walk on. Have you ever wondered where it all comes from? Soil is the end result of a process called decomposition, which is the breakdown of organic material (dead plants and animals) by organisms called decomposers. When
It’s spring, which for many of us here in Davidson means the return of flowers, birds, butterflies, and other pleasant things. However, it also means the return of something generally considered to be unpleasant—pollen. Pollen, be it from trees, from ragweed, or from flowers, is one of the leading causes of allergies. However, pollen
Perhaps you’ve heard one when you were in bed. Or maybe you were lucky enough to see one while you were walking in the evening. Few animals are more emblematic of the night than owls. We associate owls with mystery and wisdom—and, in the past, with magic and witchcraft. But these superstitions obscure much
Go Fish Gray Stanback Lake Norman—the huge artificial lake that Davidson borders—is renowned for its fishing. Every day, people rent boats to venture out onto the lake in pursuit of the lake’s plentiful population of freshwater fish, most of which are native to the surrounding area. And despite its name, the Davidson Lands Conservancy
The saying goes that nature is red in tooth and claw. And for the most part, this is true. After all, organisms of one species do not go out of their way to help those of other species on purpose. . . at least not normally. But then you have cases of symbiosis, where
Dropping Like Stones Gray Stanback If you’ve ever driven around suburban North Carolina, you’ve probably noticed the occasional large, smooth boulder resting in the middle of a field or a forest clearing. These rocks didn’t get where they are now with the help of humans. Instead, they’re the result of a process known as
Feeling a Warm Spell Gray Stanback Right now, it’s February, and the temperature is expected to reach a high of 70 by the end of the day. In other words, lovely weather for a walk in town or a picnic. For many people, this is a welcome change from the cold weather that traditionally
Gaining a Yard Gray Stanback Your first experience with the natural world probably depends on where you lived. If you grew up in the middle of a large city, it’s likely that you had little experience with true wilderness unless you were able to travel to a nature preserve or park. If you lived
Every year, birdwatchers around the world take part in one of the most spectacular wildlife-related events in the world. The Great Backyard Bird Count is held annually in the middle of February (this year it ran from the 17th to the 20th) as a way for the National Audubon Society—an organization devoted to the
