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Beechnuts - Superfood for Bears & Other Wildlife

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Beechnuts - Superfood for Bears & Other Wildlife

Beechnuts have about twice as much protein and calories per edible portion as compared to acorns. That’s amazing, isn’t it?!   They really do pack a nutritional punch that can make a world of difference for wildlife as they go in to a harsh Maine winter.

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Beautiful Buttonbush in Bloom

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Beautiful Buttonbush in Bloom

Have you witnessed the beautiful Buttonbush blooms these last few weeks? They embody the wild bounty of mid-summer.

These uniquely geometric globes of bright white seem to explode from lush ribbons of green along the shoreline of a dazzling blue lake.

Cephalanthus occidentalis is a vastly underappreciated native shrub…

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Goldenrods: Top Plants for Boosting Biodiversity

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Goldenrods: Top Plants for Boosting Biodiversity

The land is awash with sprays of amber, lemon, and yellow from the wild goldenrods that proliferate in meadows, roadsides, forest edges, and vacant lots this time of year. These misunderstood, underappreciated, and spectacularly diverse plants have been lumped into the common category of "goldenrod" and unfairly blamed for hay fever.

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Fruits of the Forest

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Fruits of the Forest

In this week's Phenology Note, the focus is on three common (but often overlooked) woody plants that provide important nutrition for wildlife. Do you have these fruits ripening in your woods? Will you take the time to look for them, and to lean in to the lessons they have to teach us?

Winterberry: The Gift that Keeps on Giving

Winterberry: The Gift that Keeps on Giving

It's "the most wonderful time of the year" to spot the scarlet-red berries of our native holly. After a snowstorm, Winterberry is like a decorative red ribbon on a beautifully wrapped package, just waiting to be opened.  When snow transforms the landscape into a winter wonderland, the bright red berries literally announce their place in the world - nature's Christmas ornaments! The berries of this shrub are like winter jewels for bluebirds, grosbeaks, waxwings, cardinals, robins, and other birds seeking much-needed nourishment throughout winter.