Two weeks ago, I had the opportunity to attend a workshop. Under the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative's Pollinator Conductivity Working Group, I listened to different presentations from Fish and Wildlife (USFWS), USDA, USGS, NRCS, and NPS personnel. One presentation where I learned quite a bit of info was on...
A couple years ago during a summer research program in Iowa, I met a few people who were into “herping”— the process of looking for amphibians and reptiles. I had never heard of such a process before, but it was something I very much...
So, what’s up with mimicry, exactly? For example, I’ve seen a few monarchs in the park this summer, and I’ve had to do a double take and make sure it indeed was a monarch I saw, because there’s an extremely similar-looking species, the Viceroy....
This summer, I am working on developing a map for conservation initiatives. There are over 4,000 species of bees native to North America itself, and each U.S. state has its own catalog of species. The map(s) I am working on will show areas of priority,...
Before this internship began, I had no idea about the breadth of native bee species found in North America. Over 4000 species of bees call North America home. Essential to the process of pollination, it’s estimated that bees help pollinate 75% of leading crops consumed...
Located along the southern edge of Lake Michigan, Indiana Dunes is the United States’ newest National Park. Formerly Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, the Park contains some of the most abundant plant diversity in the United States. a wild lupine meadow The Park is only about one...
My name is Ansley Watkins, and I’m entering my third year at The Ohio State University. I’m majoring in Natural Resource Management and minoring in Community Outreach Education. Though I go to school in Ohio, I’m originally from just outside Atlanta, Georgia. As far as things I enjoy...