Dispatches from the Forest

Access to green space is extremely important not only for physical health but mental health as well.  Learn some ways to get some wild in your life - either in "your" yard or some other green space you have available.

There is something mysterious in Chesapeake Bay!  In this episode I'll tell you about "Chessie" - a mysterious creature that has been seen in Chesapeake Bay.  I'll also tell you about Nebraska's Monster of Walgren Lake, and the man behind this creature, John G. Maher - prominent Nebraskan and purveyor of tall tales.

Soft kitty, Warm kitty, Little ball of fur.

Happy kitty, Sleepy kitty, Purr Purr Purr.

I've talked about North America's wild canids: Wolves, coyotes and foxes, so today I'm telling you about the wild felines: Canada lynx, Bobcat and Mountain lions.  I'll also tell you about the domestication of cats and why you should keep your little ball of fur inside.

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In Episode 14 I told you about the defensive capability of skunks which got me thinking about other defensively built animals - Armadillos and Porcupines.  Learn about the amazing capabilities of these 2 defensive specialists!

Peregrine Falcons are the fastest animal on Earth!  They are also the most widespread raptor, but just 50 years ago they were in danger of going extinct.  Fortunately they are making a comeback, and can be found in some pretty surprising places.  Learn more about this incredibly fast and amazing raptor.

Features an interview with Deb Woracek, member of the Raptor Education Team at Fontenelle Forest Nature Center (www.Fontenelleforest.org)

While we are officially only halfway through winter, the signs that spring is near are starting to appear.  In addition to warmer weather, here at Dispatches HQ we've got flowers starting to sprout and we're anticipating the emergence of frogs and salamanders any day now!  Find out about some of the other plants and animals that are starting to appear to let you know that, while you may not be completely done with cold weather quite yet, warmer days are on the way!

We've talked about wolves and coyotes, in this week's episode we talk about the remaining (and smallest) North American canid species: foxes.  There are 6 species of fox that can be found in North America, and while they share some traits, each of them has something that make them unique - from the insulating coat of the artic fox to the "extra sense" of the red fox, there is even a fox that climbs trees!  Check it out!

And if you enjoy the podcast, please consider becoming a patron at Patreon.com/dispatchesfromtheforest

In Episode 3 we looked at some overlooked and underappreciated animals.  In this episode we add to that list and take a look at some other animals that, while seldom seen, may be closer than you think:  Deer, skunks, raccoons and groundhogs.  Learn something new about more overlooked critters!

Forest fire is often considered to be a bad thing.  And to be certain, an uncontrolled wildfire in a populated area like we saw recently can be dangerous as well as disasterous.  But fire is a natural part of many ecosystems, and for some species, it is a neccessary part of their life cycle.  Properly used, fire can be a tool that helps maintain the health of our forests and grasslands.  

Features an interview with Michelle Foss, Director of Stewardship and Research at Fontenelle Forest Nature Center in Bellevue, NE.

To learn more about Fontenelle Forest visit Fontenelleforest.org

To become a patron of this podcast visit Patreon.com/Dispatchesfromtheforest

How do our animal friends survive the winter?  Well, kind of the same way we do: they can stay active, they can migrate, or they can hibernate.  Listen and learn about each of these winter survival strategies and some of the animals that use them.  If that isn't enough, I'll tell you about "butt breathing" - you don't want to miss THAT!