Articles for category: Conservation, Plants

Row of grapevines in vineyard in Oregon.

The Impact of Wildfires on Oregon’s Wine Industry and Agricultural Economy

Trizzy Orozco

Oregon, renowned for its lush landscapes and fertile soils, is a leader in America’s wine industry and agricultural sector. However, as wildfires become more frequent and intense, they pose a significant threat to these vital components of the state’s economy. The impact of these fires extends beyond immediate damage, affecting long-term viticulture practices and overall ...

Ancient Texts and Libraries

Myths or Manuals? The Scientific Possibilities Hidden in Ancient Stories

Trizzy Orozco

Have you ever wondered if the magic and mayhem of ancient tales might hide real scientific secrets? What if the monsters, miracles, and mysteries passed down over generations were more than just wild imagination? From fire-breathing dragons to sudden floods that reshape whole worlds, humanity’s oldest stories pulse with wonder—and sometimes, with clues that science ...

From Wild Meadows to Urban Gardens

The Top 10 Native Wildflowers That Outshine Invasive Imports

Trizzy Orozco

Wildflowers have a magic that’s hard to bottle. There’s something profoundly moving about seeing a field of native blooms, bursting with color, standing tall against the relentless march of invasive imports. Have you ever wondered why certain wildflowers seem to glow brighter, attract more bees, and just feel more “right” than the flashy outsiders? It’s ...

How Māori Medicine Uses Native New Zealand Plants to Treat Body and Spirit

How Māori Medicine Uses Native New Zealand Plants to Treat Body and Spirit

Annette Uy

Imagine standing under a dense, emerald canopy in the heart of New Zealand’s ancient forests. The air is thick with the scent of earth and greenery. Here, every leaf, bark, and root tells a story—stories of healing, wisdom, and connection. For centuries, Māori healers have turned to these native plants, not only to mend broken ...

green cactus on rocks

Unpacking the Past: How Global Trade Introduced North America’s Most Aggressive Plants

Maria Faith Saligumba

Picture walking through any American neighborhood today and you’ll notice something extraordinary. That beautiful vine climbing your neighbor’s fence might have traveled thousands of miles and hundreds of years to get there. The colorful flowers in the local park could be descendants of plants that once graced European gardens. And those “weeds” sprouting between sidewalk ...

Colonial Erasure: The Silencing of Healers

Modern Medicine’s Hidden Debt to Ancient Healers

Trizzy Orozco

It’s easy to picture modern medicine as a world of white lab coats, beeping machines, and miracle pills conjured up in sterile labs. But here’s a truth that might surprise you: the roots of our most advanced cures twist deep into the soil of human history, nourished by knowledge preserved by ancient healers. The story ...