Archive for August 2012
North American River Otter (Lontra Canadensis)
by Kealey O’Conner
The best way to describe the River Otter is fun-loving. Whether in the blistering summer or the frosty winter the River Otter can be found wrestling, belly flopping and somersaulting. Yet, their favorite activity is sliding.
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Eastern Glass Lizard
Restoring North Carolina’s “Grand Canyon”
Often referred to as the “Grand Canyon of North Carolina,” the Linville Gorge Wilderness is an ecological jewel of the Eastern United States. Just under 12,000 acres of federally-declared wilderness, the area’s plant and animal communities are stunningly diverse, with the sidewinding Linville River as its center, descending some 1,400 feet from the top ridge.
The Linville Gorge Wilderness is home to fire-dependent species, including federally endangered plants and no fewer than 80 species of birds during the breeding season. Due to decades of fire suppression, these species have declined and intense wildfires have broken out in recent years. These wildfires invited a new threat to this unique ecosystem: non-native invasive plants. Plants such as Butterfly Bush, Privet, and Chinese Silver Grass and others pose a serious threat to the ecological integrity of the landscape.
To learn more about our project and to volunteer please click here.
Read MoreWild South & TogetherGreen
41 Innovative Environmental Projects Win Over $1 Million In Funding From Audubon & ToyotaTogetherGreen Innovation Grants Kick-Start Local, Solutions-Based Environmental Projects Nationwide
Published: Aug 1, 2012 by National Audubon Society
New York, NY – Toyota and the National Audubon Society today awarded over $1 million in TogetherGreen Innovation Grants funding to 41 innovative environmental projects nationwide. This year’s winning projects involve more than 150 conservation, environmental justice and community organizations working collaboratively on habitat, water and energy conservation. Many of the projects focus on engaging audiences that have traditionally been underrepresented in the conservation movement, from landowners to religious communities to inner-city students.
Chicken of the wood
by Kealey O’Conner
Can a fungus really taste like chicken? Yes. Laetiporus, more commonly known as “Chicken of the Wood”, actually has a similar taste and texture to chicken.