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Environmental Almanac
Weekly commentaries on the environment and appreciating the natural world, by Rob Kanter from the School of Earth, Society, and Environment at the University of Illinois.
Does brittle prickly pear cactus have a future in the Midwest?
Few brittle prickly pear cacti remain in Illinois. Will they persist in a changing climate?
Late summer a great time to expand your butterfly horizons [from the archive]
Everybody loves monarch butterflies, don't they? And for good reason. But if monarchs are all you know, you're missing out. Late summer is a great time to expand your butterfly horizons.
A love of life—even snakes [from the archive]
Thanks to a friend who’s more observant than me, I recently discovered a new species of reptile in my own backyard, a plains garter snake. Maybe I should clarify by saying I mean the plains garter snake was “new” to me, not new to science or the wider world.
Embrace your inner birder as spring migration peaks
Where can you see some of the most beautiful birds in the world? In central Illinois! Right now!
Why not bike?
Does the warm weather have you thinking about riding your bicycle to get from here to there? If so, let me offer some words of encouragement.
Now is the time to catch woodland wildflower show in Illinois [from the archive]
There is an extended wildflower show that takes place each spring in the woodlands of Illinois, beginning in February and peaking in early May, when a dozen species can be seen flowering at once
Cook County research provides perspective on coyotes [from the archive]
How much risk do coyotes pose? Could it be good to have them around? Findings from the Cook County Coyote Project suggest they pose a very limited threat and even benefit urban ecosystems.