When the long winter months come to its final days, we all desperately search for any signs that will bring a break from nature’s cold darkness. Instead of watching the forecast or refreshing your weather app for the millionth time, you can find subtle signs of spring from the ground you ...

Chautauqua Lake is one of the most popular inland fishing waters in New York State. A survey conducted for the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation in 2017 determined that Chautauqua Lake ranked tenth highest of inland waters statewide, based on the estimated total number of anglers ...

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 ...