From the moment I step into a forest I always feel a deep and innate truth: nature heals. It is not merely a place to visit or an aesthetic backdrop to our busy lives; it is a force that soothes our bodies, calms our minds, and nourishes our spirits. Science and personal experience alike ...

It’s that magical time of year when snowflakes dance from the sky, wrapping the world in a cozy, white blanket. People are warm and snug inside, sipping hot cocoa and watching winter do its thing. But while everyone is bundled up, the team at the Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy is thinking ...

Leaves are probably the most common feature used to identify trees. But in winter, when so many trees have dropped their leaves, combinations of other features are needed. The bark, along with the pattern and shape of buds on branches can be used to determine species. The bare branches of ...

Have you ever wondered why plants and animals thrive the way they do here in Chautauqua County? After moving here, I took a dive deep into learning about local geography and the county’s natural surroundings. As a geography graduate, maps are a fascination of mine, and I couldn’t resist ...

If the groundhog sees its shadow, there will be six more weeks of winter. If the Wooly Bear caterpillar has a narrow orange band in the middle, it will be a harsh winter. If a cat sneezes, it will rain soon. Humans have been observing animals for millennia and using their behaviors to ...

New York’s forests are in trouble. Tiny, destructive insects are spreading fast, killing trees that have stood for hundreds of years. We’ve already lost American chestnuts and millions of ash trees. Now, another tree is at risk—the eastern hemlock. A tiny bug called Hemlock Woolly ...