Journey With Nature

The Marian College EcoLab, developed and maintained in the tradition of Marian College's sponsorship value of responsible stewardship, will provide hands-on, experiential environmental, and historical learning opportunities for the students of Marian College and area schools, as well as the Indianapolis community.

Though beautiful and graceful, the white-tailed deer can cause great damage to the habitats in which they dwell. With numbers higher than ever before, the trouble with the over-population of deer has become quite evident throughout Indiana's forests.

Kirtland's snake is unlike any other found in Indiana. Not only is the specie endangered, but is unique in habitat and appearance.

Wind energy is an exciting alternative energy source that is both reliable and sustainable - found right here in Indiana!

They tend to get act a bit "cheeky," but they don't mean any harm. Plains pocket gophers are only guilty for doing what their instincts guide them to do.

"Nature can be trusted to work her own miracle in the heart of any man whose daily task keeps him alone among her sights, sounds, and silences." - Gene Stratton Porter Author, Photographer, Naturalist, Movie Producer and Hoosier

One-third of the planet is covered by forests, and though it sounds like a lot, it isn't nearly enough to keep up with the demand on goods, services and amenities these forests produce.

If you're already doing whatever you can to decrease your greenhouse gas emissions - purchasing eco-friendly alternatives, walking/biking/taking public transportation, recycling, etc - but still feel guilty, don't fret! Purchasing carbon offsets is an easy way to decrease your impact on global climate change.

As recently as twenty years ago the Bald Eagle was dangerously close to becoming extinct throughout the lower 48 states - Indiana included. Today, they're back from the brink and doing better than ever!

Some call it amazing, others call it a menace. Either way, Kudzu - a creeping, climbing perennial vine - is an invasive specie that is terrorizing native plants all over southern east United States - Indiana included.

Ritchey Woods may be a small preserve in Fishers, Indiana, but its a big deal to those who need a natural retreat in this rapidly developing town.

Gas prices may have lowered these past few weeks, but that doesn't mean we should start celebrating. The average household is still spending a big part of their paycheck feeding the gas tank. By learning to use our gas wisely, we can stretch a gallon for all its worth and more.

Jellyfish in Indiana? Really? Though hard to believe, it's true. On rare occasions, freshwater jellyfish have been seen in Indiana ponds, lakes and slow-moving rivers throughout the years.

Benjamin Franklin once said that only when the well is dry, will we know the worth of water. With the human population constantly growing, an even greater demand on our available water supplies can cause quite a problem. Before such a hard lesson is learned, there are small and tangible steps that each of us can take to help reduce our impact.

Last week we talked about Gulf hypoxia and how our actions can affect an ecosystem hundreds of miles away. The Nature Conservancy, fellow conservation organizations and farmers across the country are doing their part in lessening that impact.

Scientists were forecasting that the "dead zone" off the coast of Louisiana and Texas in the Gulf of Mexico this year will be the largest on record. But what is this dead zone and what does it have to do with Indiana.

We're all looking for ways to make a positive impact on the environment. In fact, according to a recent Harris Poll 34% of those polled would like to be more "green" but aren't sure what they could do to help. A good start - become a locavore.

Bumper stickers on cars around the state are asking us to not move firewood, but do you know why? It's all because of a metallic green insect known as the emerald ash borer. This itty bitty thing is causing some great big problems when it comes to our ash trees.

With fuel and food prices rising, many families feel that forgoing a summer trip is their only option. Yet a break from the daily grind may be needed more than ever. The answer - take a staycation!

What better time to go but now as July is National Park and Recreation month. This week's Journey with Nature pays tribute to our nation's first and one of our finest - Yellowstone National Park.