Nature--Good for the Head!

There is some new research on the value of nature to the human brain. The research is really interesting! Check it out here. I ventured into the Bethel Highland's forest recently, on skis! Bethel's forest has many trees, among them white oak. It would be interesting to do a survey of the types of flora in the woods. Buckthorn, an invasive species, is also prevalent in the forest and should be removed to sustain biodiversity of native plants. I'll be writing more about invasive plants in the next entry.

But, if you would like to understand the biology of invasive plants, watch the recent Nature video and pay attention to what is happening on rangeland in Montana.

The Spring Melt Has Begun

The spring weather we have been having has started to reduce the snow piles around Bethel Highlands to provide much needed moisture to the land!  The photos of the prairie below were taken in mid-March. The lower picture is a photo of a deer trail, which, when followed, revealed areas where the deer had spent the night under cedar trees.

 

Also, here is a link to a talk presented at the U of MN that I mentioned in an earlier blog. There are many other interesting environmental presentations found here too! Happy Spring!