ECOLOGY

A Seed is Sleepy | Botany Book Review

A Seed is Sleepy | Botany Book Review

A Seed is Sleepy by Dianna Hutts Aston, Illustrated by Silvia Long and geared toward children aged 5-8, or Kindergarten reading level. This book is designated as children’s non-fiction. This book goes through different types of seeds and gives examples of each. Unlike some children’s books the illustrations are photo-realistic botanical watercolor paintings.

Why Botany?

Why Botany?

Over the years, people have asked why I’ve studied botany. Why do I care what happens in a forest half a world away? Usually the same people follow this with the assertion that yes, climate change is real, but it’s up to the big corporations to reverse it because they’re the initial cause.

#TeamTrees

#TeamTrees

The Team Trees project is running till December 31, 2019. We have two months left and as of now, a bit over 11 million dollars have been raised, translating to over 11 million trees.

Rainbow Manzanita (Arctostaphylos rainbowensis) | Botanical Pride

Rainbow Manzanita (Arctostaphylos rainbowensis) | Botanical Pride

Today, we’re talking about the only plant to currently have “rainbow” in its scientific designation: The Arctostaphylos rainbowensis, or Rainbow Manzanita.  This dicot shrub is native and endemic to California (4,5), existing exclusively in the far southern portion of the state, specifically between northern San Diego to southern Riverside counties. 

Flies as Pollinators

Flies as Pollinators

Today, as you may have deduced, we will be talking about flies and their role as pollinators. 

May the 4th Be With You: an Expedition to Kashyyyuk

May the 4th Be With You: an Expedition to Kashyyyuk

On this, the 4th of May, we pay homage to the late Peter Mayhew, and everyone’s favorite Wookiee, Chewbacca with an expedition to Chewie’s homeworld: Kashyyyuk.

Seeds of Potential: Part 2 of Ancestors for All Seasons

Seeds of Potential: Part 2 of Ancestors for All Seasons

Be as the dormant seed, beginning to germinate in the desiccated trunk of its predecessor, full of potential and vibrant life.

Ancestors for All Seasons

Ancestors for All Seasons

It is important to remember the ancestors, dear friends, regardless of season.

Garden Helpers: The Bees, the Bugs, and the Doodlebugs

Garden Helpers: The Bees, the Bugs, and the Doodlebugs

What garden is complete without the gentle hum of insects, buzzing and chirping, going about their lives in their intrinsic ecological niche.

Soil Painting: a Recipe

Soil Painting: a Recipe

So, today I thought we might do something a touch random and a bit lighter than some posts have been.  Basically, I was mixing six bags of soil with additives and we've one wheelbarrow.

Remembering Fern Gully

Remembering Fern Gully

In honor of today being Earth Day, I thought I would share some of my earliest memories of ecology and the need for ecoactivism.  Some of you might remember the 1992 film, Fern Gully; some of you likely weren't yet born.  I didn't know there was a sub-header for it until I was looking up information again, but it's "The Last Rainforest."