With the extra-frigid winter we have been experiencing this year, it boggles my mind that any wildlife can actually survive outdoors. It has been hard enough for humans! So at EcoMyths we wondered: How do animals survive this challenge within our vast urban landscape? On our latest Worldview segment, Jerome McDonnell and I explored this … Read more
Please join us for what’s sure to be a memorable evening of eco-inspired hilarity: EcoMyths’ Naturally Funny Gala on Tuesday, April 8 at Second City’s UP theatre. Proceeds will support our innovative new science curriculum, which is being produced in partnership with the National Wildlife Federation and Second City, and will include environmental myth-busting for … Read more
Mirror, Mirror, Should We Help Backyard Animals? You probably know that feeding wildlife is for the birds (literally!). In polar vortex-y times like this, though, it’s hard not to feel sorry for the non-homo-sapiens among us, who don’t have the luxury of modern heating or funny YouTube videos to keep them cozy on cold wintry … Read more
And the winner of best picture in the green film category goes to…wait, what? You haven’t seen any environmental documentaries this year? Now’s your chance. Fresh off a weekend of reveling in eco-inspired cinema at the Wild and Scenic Film Festival in Nevada City, California, I’ve got your fest-fresh picks right here. First, I’ll just … Read more
Turns out, beets are a surprisingly effective addition to de-icing efforts (Alice Henneman/Flickr) —by Kelley Regan, Morton Arboretum When P.J. Smith works with his staff to clear snow from the 16 miles of roads and nine miles of trails at the Morton Arboretum, he needs to do it quickly and in the most environmentally friendly … Read more
In the past couple of weeks many of us have seen more snow than we’ve seen in a lifetime. Since I grew up in Minnesota however, the five-foot snowbanks and freezing temps feel just like home to me. When the first snow falls, I immediately yearn to make snow angels and go skating. But for … Read more
No Business Like Snow Business Snow. It may inspire a childlike enthusiasm in many of us around the holidays, but come January, the frigid stuff starts to look a lot less like magic, and a lot more like a major pain in the, um, ice. From shovel-shirking neighbors and traffic delays to excessive wardrobe requirements, … Read more
To experience instant fun with a little one, just add snow and enjoy! (D. Simmons) Why let a little cold and snow prevent you and the fam from enjoying the many wonders of winter? Chicago Wilderness has put together a handy list of backyard activity ideas to help inspire us all to get outside this … Read more
Apple pie lovers, behold: Wisconsin apples just got a lot greener. Ever since a 2011 myth-busting adventure in which I learned apples are epically difficult to grow organically, at least in the Midwest, I’ve been giving my once fave fruit the cold shoulder. After all, pears were easy enough to find locally grown and organic… … Read more
Remember those wonderful, lazy days fishing at the lake with your grandfather? My Grandpa and I would bait our hooks, reel in a couple of good sized perch, and bring them back for Grandma Evelyn to cook. Those days are under threat now, and not just because of our obsession with Twitter and Angry Birds … Read more
