The Great Outdoors

Poinsettias, with their bright red bracts (leaves), make them one of the most popular holiday plants. The beauty of poinsettias can last from Thanksgiving to Christmas and even until Valentine’s Day. But they aren’t just for the holidays. ... Read more

In “A Field Guide to the Birds” Roger Tory Peterson described the sandhill crane as “a long-legged, long-necked gray bird with a bald red forehead.” Standing, a sandhill crane is over five feet tall. Peterson described the great blue heron ... Read more

Girl Scouts of Northern Indiana-Michiana (GSNI-M) is pleased to announce that the council has been awarded a $100,000 grant from the American Electric Power Foundation to enhance its focus on science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) ... Read more

This article is about birds of the night; owls. These are birds that are active when most other birds are sleeping. Owls have always been of particular interest to me. As a boy, growing up in northwest Iowa, I was interested in all birds but particularly ... Read more

As you prepare your landscape for winter don’t overlook the trees, shrubs and perennials you have growing in containers. These need a bit of extra protection to help them survive cold winter temperatures. ... Read more

With deer firearms season opening on Nov. 14, the Indiana DNR Division of Fish & Wildlife reminds hunters of the following. ... Read more

Pumpkin is not just for dessert. Consider using this low calorie, flavorful vegetable, botanically classified as a fruit, in any of the courses of your fall or holiday meals. ... Read more

As the seasons change, we adjust our gardening tasks and plantings to match. Animals also make changes this time of year, often changing their eating habits and dining locations. These adjustments can impact your gardens. Reduce the risk ... Read more

A white-throated sparrow is a rare bird to me. It has always been a rare bird to me. Its nesting range is Massachusetts and northern New York north into the evergreen forests of northern Canada, well north of my home in northern Iowa when I was a ... Read more

The days are getting shorter and darker which can make the winter months seem like they drag on forever. Bringing your outdoor plants inside during these months can lift your spirits, boost the energy in a room, and clean the air. ... Read more

Forests and woodlots are constantly changing. Just like a home, a little routine maintenance is required to keep them in good order. To get the most out of a property and to meet wildlife, recreational, aesthetic or economic goals, some type ... Read more

To many conservationists, the number of bird species seen at a nature preserve represents a measure of its contribution to local ecology. Eagle Marsh, an 831-acre restored wetland at the southwestern edge of Fort Wayne, recently edged past ... Read more

I’ve been duck hunting recently, with a pair of binoculars. I’ve driven to a pond or lake with a road along the shore, then driven slowly along the shore, stopping often, scanning the shore, the water beyond, and the sky above the water. ... Read more