Imagine a plant that, when faced with the creeping shadow of a tree or rock, quietly inches away—almost imperceptibly—toward the sunlight. It sounds like something out of a fantasy novel, but in the mysterious world of mosses, some species have evolved this astonishing ability. While most plants are rooted in place and must endure whatever ...
Imagine wandering through the sun-baked deserts of Arizona, the sky blindingly blue overhead, and all around you stand the silent giants of the Southwest — saguaros. Towering and stoic, these cacti seem serene, even welcoming. But what if I told you that the iconic saguaro might not be as passive as it looks? In fact, ...
Imagine stepping into a lush rainforest, the air thick with the scent of earth and foliage—only to be suddenly hit by an overwhelming stench of decaying flesh. It’s not the aftermath of a tragedy, but rather one of nature’s most astonishing spectacles: the blooming of the corpse flower. This botanical marvel shocks and fascinates with ...
On a quiet morning in May 1980, Mount St. Helens erupted with a ferocity that stunned the world. In just moments, forests that had stood for centuries vanished beneath a choking blanket of ash and debris. The landscape, once teeming with life, was transformed into a gray wasteland that seemed utterly inhospitable—a place where hope ...
Picture a barren, rusty world, its surface swept by cold winds and bathed in a pale, distant sun. Now, imagine industrious beavers gnawing and building, transforming a once-wild river into a thriving wetland teeming with life. What if humans could do to Mars what beavers do to rivers—reshape, revive, and spark a new beginning? The ...
Have you ever wandered through a public garden and felt a sense of wonder that seemed to buzz in the air, almost as if nature itself was throwing a celebration? National Public Gardens Day is more than just a date on the calendar—it’s a tribute to the untamed, intricate, and often surprising science that thrives ...
Imagine a sprawling city, its grand earthen pyramids looming above the flat floodplain, bustling with thousands of people, and fields of golden corn stretching as far as the eye can see. It’s not in Egypt or Mexico, but right in the heart of what is now Illinois. Centuries before Columbus ever set sail, Cahokia was ...
Imagine walking through a lush rainforest, sunlight streaming through green canopies, when suddenly an overwhelming stench stops you in your tracks. It’s not a decaying animal you smell, but a flower in full bloom. This shocking, almost grotesque strategy isn’t a mistake of nature—it’s one of its most brilliant seductions. Some of the world’s most ...
Imagine walking through a misty bog, sunlight glinting off mysterious plants that seem to sparkle with morning dew. But don’t be fooled—what glistens on the sundew’s leaves is not water, but a deadly trap. For centuries, these delicate-looking plants have lured, trapped, and digested their prey with a silent but ruthless efficiency. The secret to ...
What if the secret to the most unforgettable Mother’s Day meal was not hidden in a gourmet cookbook, but waiting to be discovered right outside your door? Imagine the sense of wonder in transforming humble wild ingredients—once gathered by our ancestors—into exquisite dishes that celebrate both nature and the mothers who nourish us. Today, foraging ...
Jen Fitschen, Author, BSc Computer Science and Oceanography
Alana Theron, BSc in Biodiversity and Ecology
