Browsing: Environment

When it comes to brightly colored flowers, humans are no different than pollinators that are attracted to them. We value…

The humble beginnings of the University of Southern Mississippi’s (USM) Gulf Coast Research Laboratory (GCRL) are full of extensive history and fond memories. Nestled 60 miles west of Mobile, Alabama and 90 miles east of New Orleans, Louisiana, the Ocean Springs-based lab is known for its resilience and coastal impact to create a sustainable Gulf Coast.

I do enjoy seeing the many photos of autumn foliage shared by my friends who travel the East Coast this…

Of the many fall flowers that color our world, goldenrods are my favorite. For one thing, they were my mother’s…

The fall migration of birds is as good a time as any to channel the spirit of Judy Toups – the Grand Dame of Mississippi Coast Birding. In her memory, it is a great time to challenge yourself to make her joy of birding your own.

In the world of insects and spiders, imitating the looks or behaviors of a more aggressive creature is known as…

We all enjoy watching butterflies flitting about the flowers in our yards. But the adults are not the only life stage of these creatures. Their caterpillars are less often noticed, and not necessarily appreciated, especially if they are chewing on your bedding plants. Monarch Butterfly caterpillars are an exception to any admonishment about chewing up the plant that sustains them. But what about all the other butterflies, skippers, and moths that are pollinating your flowers? What are their caterpillars eating?

The University of Southern Mississippi (USM)’s School of Coastal Resilience has been featured in the 2023 Sustainable Campus Index. The publication featured the new sustainable majors offered in the School of Coastal Resilience Sustainability Studies and Sustainability Sciences (Coastal System Dynamics).

Summers are not complete without watching the aerial acrobatics of dragonflies as they chase down their prey on the wing.…

Moss Point native Christian Horn Reese is returning home for a pair of appearances in conjunction with the release of…

As I sat outside this week and enjoyed Mississippi’s wonderful (and much cooler) weather, a pair of my hummingbird friends came to visit again. I rarely see them buzz around together, so this sight was a special treat – until I realized theirs was not a friendly pairing.

The Nine-Banded Armadillo is an amazing creature. From their armor plates, ability to walk long distances, swim when they must,…

What a treat it is whenever you get to watch a hummingbird. The smallest migrant bird travels through the Mississippi…

Most folks who know me, know that I love spiders…and some snakes (cue that song of old), but mostly spiders.…

It’s that time of year when coastal residents keep gasoline in their automobiles, ice in their freezers and their eyes on named storms. When a storm gets a name, our attention status rises.

Tomato lovers may not realize that they are eating a fruit from a family of toxic plants – the Nightshades.…