Nature and the Environment, 11 Foundry Street Suite 109, Stroudsburg, PA (2026)

09/18/2026

Siberian Chipmunk
By Moose Henderson

Chipmunks are small omnivorous rodents that belong to the scientific family Sciuridae. They are only found in North America, except for the Siberian Chipmunk (Eutamias sibiricus). Siberian chipmunks are native to the area spanning from Central Asia to the Pacific coast, including Siberia, Far East Russia, Japan, Korea, and northern China.
The author spent two years (2007 and 2010) in Siberia and Far East Russia working as a freelance wildlife photographer. Living and working in a foreign country, when you do not speak the language, can be a bit lonely, especially in the barren, frozen wildness of Siberia. Most every day, from late April through September, chipmunks would be his companions.
Siberian chipmunks are found in coniferous forests (taiga, also known as boreal forest in North America). They are tolerant of humans, so they are also found around farms, villages, and parks. They are seven to ten inches in length, one-third of which is a tail, weigh approximately two to five ounces, and they have nine stripes (five white and four dark) that extend from nose to base of tail. Both males and females are similar in size. They can survive temperatures of -80 to +85 degrees Fahrenheit.
Chipmunks overwinter in burrows in extremely cold regions, but they do not hibernate. Stored within these burrows are a cache of food, a burrow path for defecation, and a living area. Breeding occurs in April, and a litter of three to eight kits is born after a four to five-week gestation. Females provide care while males continue their mostly solitary lives.
The author was first introduced to chipmunks in the 1960’s through the popular television show featuring Alvin, Simon, and Theodore, The Alvin Show. Alvin was the mischievous one, Simon tall and lanky, and Theodore a bit chubby. Although an animated production, it was instrumental in introducing young children to the love of animals.

09/12/2026

Salt Marshes
By: Ayden Planker

Most anyone who has taken a trip to America’s East Coast could recognize, if not name, a salt marsh. They are a common but unique wetland that can be found on the shores of saltwater bodies, most notably the world’s oceans, and are easily remembered for their great patches of cordgrass and other tall, reedy plants. These plants are hardy and tough, evolved specifically to thrive in turbulent and highly saline environments, and among them live hundreds of species of animals, including birds and fish, who nest and nurse in the area seasonally.

Most salt marshes are hostage to a regular routine to survive. Because of their overwhelmingly coastal placement, the shifting of water levels by high and low tide causes them to be flooded repeatedly throughout the day. As the tide comes up, it carries with it sediment and organic material that it deposits each time it recedes. This process, simple as it may seem, is what keeps the marsh in place. The nutrients from the decaying material are vital for the plants, which knit the sand and mud of the marsh into a solid floor, and the collecting sediment serves to extend the environment in some ways. As it collects, it buffers the water flow and creates stagnant zones, and as water gets caught in those stagnant zones, more sediment and nutrients gather. Salt marshes also create a protective buffer from offshore hurricanes and storms.

More than some other oceanic or near-oceanic biomes, salt marshes are in danger from human disruption. They develop naturally as wide, flat spaces with easy access to the ocean, which have been a historically desirable locale for man. But as humans have continuously developed those areas, coasts have become poorly managed, and the natural benefits of the marshes have instead become weaknesses. Wetlands that once survived by their ability to gather nutrients now collect the waste from mass agriculture and industry, and being positioned at sea level means that they are at an ever-growing risk of complete immersion, flooding, and changing shape as they erode. Protecting these environments is a near-constant battle, but in the United States, protection efforts have been in a consistent rise since the 1970s. The Clean Water Act and similar legislation have introduced protections for salt marshes and their resident species, but if we are to protect these habitats, more research and more effort is needed.

09/11/2026

Patriot Day

On this September 11, 2026, we honor and remember those who lost their lives twenty-five years ago in New York City, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. We stand with the families who lost loved ones, 9-11 survivors, and first responders. We recall the charity, compassion, spirit of unity, and national pride that brought our nation together at a time of immense tragedy. We recognize with gratitude the support our country received from nations around the planet. And we look forward with strength and determination, stronger from the horrific attacks.

Congress approved a joint resolution on December 18, 2001, designating September 11 as “Patriot Day.”

WE WILL NEVER FORGET

09/10/2026

Bazaruto Archipelago
Photographs by expert travel photographer Mirjam Bleeker of the Netherlands

The Bazaruto Archipelago is a sun-kissed tropical paradise and premium nature sanctuary off the coast of southern Mozambique, comprised of 6 stunning islands and marine wildlife galore. The region is known for pristine turquoise water, white powder sand beaches, and top-notch diving.

Sometime around the 3rd century, Bazaruto was settled by indigenous people and used as an Indian Ocean trade hub. Portuguese explorers were the first known Europeans to sight and map Bazaruto in 1505, and the archipelago remained under Portuguese rule for centuries. The islands became world-renowned as an awesome marine sanctuary and remote luxury vacation destination. In 1971, the archipelago was declared an official protected area and designated as Bazaruto Archipelago National Park.

The Bazaruto Archipelago is among the most crucial marine sanctuaries on Africa's east coast, with a wide array of critical habitats for numerous rare endemic species.

Wildlife includes over 2,000 fish species, hundreds of birds, 5 turtle species, dolphins, humpback whales, rays, whale sharks, and the Western Indian Ocean's last viable dugong population.

Bazaruto is a dynamic mixture of massive desert-like sand dunes, biodiverse reef coastlines, evergreen forests, mangroves, palm-lined beaches, and woodlands.

Mozambique gained independence from Portuguese colonial rule in 1975, and the communist nation People's Republic of Mozambique was born. In the 1990's the country transitioned to the democratic Republic of Mozambique. Today, the Bazaruto islands are home to approximately 7,000 residents who farm and harvest the region's natural resources.

The Bazaruto Archipelago remains one of Africa's most sought-after nature and island destinations and one of the less crowded tropical ports of call. If you're travelling to the southeastern coast of Africa, Bazaruto is a stop that you won't regret.

09/08/2026

Spectacular Karijini National Park
Written by Warren Joseph
Photographs by renowned landscape, nature, and wildlife photographer Steve Parish of Queensland, Australia

The Pilbara region of Western Australia is home to Karijini National Park, a land rich in cultural heritage, dramatic geology, pristine waterholes and waterfalls, and a variety of fascinating wildlife. The park was established in 1969 to protect the mountainous region’s ancient landscapes and natural resources from industrial development. Originally named Hamersley Range National Park, it was changed to Karijini in 1991 to honor its traditional Aboriginal owners.

The Banyjima, Innawonga, and Kurrama Aboriginal people have lived on the land where Karijini National Park sits for over 20,000 years. While the State of Western Australia owns the park, it is also the traditional home of these ancient tribes who actively participate in its collaborative management.

Over two billion years ago, Karijini was underwater. Extreme pressure transformed sediment layers on the sea floor to rock at a time when the only life on Earth was algae and bacteria. Tectonic stress buckled this sedimentary rock, pushing it above sea level where creeks and rivers carved chasms into the landscape, revealing the red iron-rich gorges and cliffs the area is known for. Karijini’s rocks are among the oldest on Earth.

Dozens of unspoiled waterholes, natural pools, billabongs (blind channels), and cascading waterfalls add to Karijini National Park’s magnificent landscape views and provide excellent swimming opportunities. A series of immaculate creeks and rivers drain from the plateau to valleys below, adding more water features to the land.

Among Karijini’s grasslands and gorges, a wide range of wildlife thrives, including bungarra, dingoes, euros, echidnas, red kangaroos, Rothschild's rock-wallabies, various pythons, and over a hundred species of birds such as the Spinifex pigeon (featured in this photograph).

07/29/2026

Migratory Arctic Tundra Caribou
Written by Warren T. Planker
Wildlife photography by Peter Mather of Whitehorse, Yukon

Rangifer tarandus is a large deer native to the Arctic and sub-Arctic regions of the world. These resilient migrators are known as caribou in North America and reindeer in Asia and Europe. Barren-ground caribou migrations are among the longest on land. Some herds travel up to two thousand miles per year from boreal forests and open ranges in winter to the Arctic Tundra in summer. They are the only deer species in which both males and females grow antlers.

Wildlife enthusiasts and photographers travel great distances to witness massive caribou migrations. Herds can be extremely large, with as many as a million individuals travelling together. Pregnant females lead the trek north in springtime in search of fresh grass and lichens to feed their calves. Come fall, herds move south with juveniles running alongside adults.

Caribou have several unique adaptations to help them survive a wide range of habitats on their long migratory treks. Within their nostrils are nasoturbinal bones that act as heat exchangers, absorbing humidity and warmth from blood vessel-rich tissue that lines spiral air passages, reducing heat and moisture loss from exhalations. Their eyes change from gold in summer to a deep blue to help them survive long, dark Arctic winters.

Oversized hooves distribute the caribou’s weight to keep them from sinking in deep snow, while acting as shovels for digging and paddles for swimming. Their hooves harden in winter for traversing snow and ice and soften in summer for traction on soft tundra. They have a dense undercoat beneath a layer of long, hollow exterior guard hairs that are insulating and buoyant.

Temperature and snow levels play a crucial role in caribou migration. They travel to follow seasonal plant growth and protect their young. Migratory Arctic tundra caribou populations have dropped significantly over the past few decades. Herds have declined in regions that have experienced warming climate trends and increased human activity. Globally, caribou are listed as vulnerable, while many regional populations are classified as threatened or endangered.

THE LONG AND SHORT OF IT
Height: 2-1/2 to 5 Ft (76 to 152 cm) at shoulder
Weight: 240 to 700 pounds (109 to 317 kilograms)
Form: Sexual Dimorphism (body & antler size, shed)
Lifespan: 10 to 16 years in the wild (20 in captivity)
Breeding: Late September through October (Rut)
Offspring: 1 Calf / Pregnancy, 1 Pregnancy / Year
Status: Vulnerable globally (threatened/endangered regions)

07/24/2026

Reef Sharks

Written by Billy Timms
Photography by wildlife and underwater photographer Taylor Cunningham of Hawaii

When it comes to Very Important Predators, reef sharks rank among the most significant of the aquatic species. While the term “reef shark” could refer to over 100 different species living amidst the coral reefs of the world, there are five true reef sharks: the Caribbean, blacktip, gray, silvertip, and whitetip. The life cycle of reef sharks is typically 13 to 24 years; this includes a nine to fourteen-month gestation period, followed by adulthood at around four to nine years.
The presence of reef sharks creates an ecological phenomenon known as the "landscape of fear," in which many marine species alter their behavior to reduce the risk of predation. These alterations include changing where they feed, when and where they are active, or how they move throughout the reef. Reef sharks drastically affect the environment around them by regulating smaller-level predators and encouraging healthier feeding behaviors among other marine life, which, in turn, helps to keep algae from overrunning the ecosystem.
Reef sharks are agile hunters with sleek aerodynamic bodies built for speed and maneuverability. They are opportunistic carnivores that regularly feed on cephalopods, crustaceans, fish, and squid, but will take birds, eels, snakes, and even other small sharks if given the chance.
Depending on the species of reef shark, they will hunt alone using electroreception and their excellent sense of smell to detect prey in reef crevices and underwater caverns or will often use coordinated group hunting tactics when seeking schools of fish in open waters.
Reef sharks are the apex predators of coral reefs, and, as such, are reliant upon this diverse ecosystem. Coral bleaching, a stress response within the coral reef that happens when coral expels its colorful algae as it becomes toxic under hotter temperatures, affects the health of smaller species, which then affects the amount of food available for reef sharks.
Reef sharks are highly sought by fishermen for their fins, meat, and liver oils. Their populations have decreased considerably over the past fifty years due to loss of habitat and overfishing. Many species are listed as threatened or endangered. Conservation efforts focused on habitat protection and fishery management have brought some populations back. However, their recovery is a slow process. Typically, breeding will occur once every two years, producing one to six pups with each pregnancy.
Protecting reef sharks is extremely important because they are keystone species in coral reefs and marine ecosystems, controlling mid-level predator populations and keeping algae dominance in check.

07/14/2026

Reef Sharks

Written by Billy Timms
Photography by wildlife and underwater photographer Taylor Cunningham of Hawaii

When it comes to Very Important Predators, reef sharks rank among the most significant of the aquatic species. While the term “reef shark” could refer to over 100 different species living amidst the coral reefs of the world, there are five true reef sharks: the Caribbean, blacktip, gray, silvertip, and whitetip. The life cycle of reef sharks is typically 13 to 24 years; this includes a nine to fourteen-month gestation period, followed by adulthood at around four to nine years.

The presence of reef sharks creates an ecological phenomenon known as the "landscape of fear," in which many marine species alter their behavior to reduce the risk of predation. These alterations include changing where they feed, when and where they are active, or how they move throughout the reef. Reef sharks drastically affect the environment around them by regulating smaller-level predators and encouraging healthier feeding behaviors among other marine life, which, in turn, helps to keep algae from overrunning the ecosystem.

Reef sharks are agile hunters with sleek aerodynamic bodies built for speed and maneuverability. They are opportunistic carnivores that regularly feed on cephalopods, crustaceans, fish, and squid, but will take birds, eels, snakes, and even other small sharks if given the chance.

Depending on the species of reef shark, they will hunt alone using electroreception and their excellent sense of smell to detect prey in reef crevices and underwater caverns or will often use coordinated group hunting tactics when seeking schools of fish in open waters.

Reef sharks are the apex predators of coral reefs, and, as such, are reliant upon this diverse ecosystem. Coral bleaching, a stress response within the coral reef that happens when coral expels its colorful algae as it becomes toxic under hotter temperatures, affects the health of smaller species, which then affects the amount of food available for reef sharks.

Reef sharks are highly sought by fishermen for their fins, meat, and liver oils. Their populations have decreased considerably over the past fifty years due to loss of habitat and overfishing. Many species are listed as threatened or endangered. Conservation efforts focused on habitat protection and fishery management have brought some populations back. However, their recovery is a slow process.
Typically, breeding will occur once every two years, producing one to six pups with each pregnancy.

Protecting reef sharks is extremely important because they are keystone species in coral reefs and marine ecosystems, controlling mid-level predator populations and keeping algae dominance in check.

07/11/2026

Primeval: Jellyfish
By: Katelin Kukk
Photographs By: Mike Taylor

Intro
Older than dinosaurs, the jellyfish, part of the cnidarian phylum, is more than 500 million years old. It is also one of the most mesmerizing creatures to watch, gracefully and peacefully floating up and down in the water. These animals are comprised of 95% water and seem to glide carelessly throughout the open sea. One of the things you will discover while reading this article is that the nature of these creatures is quite complex.

Appearance
Jellyfish can be any size, from a minuscule 0.5 mm to over an enormous 2 meters (6ft 7in.) and come in a variety of colors. Their gelatinous bell-shaped bodies are made up of three layers: an epidermis, a mesoglea, and an endoderm gastrodermis. They typically have tentacles below, with the exception of comb jellies (ctenophores), which have rows of cilia. Cilia are tiny hairlike structures usually found in large quantities on an organism to help propel it. Jellyfish are nearly translucent, and you might have noticed they don’t have teeth, fins, a heart, or even a brain, for that matter.

Behavior
Since jellyfish have no brain, they are equipped with a specialized decentralized nervous system of sensory receptors called a nerve net that receives environmental input, guiding the contractions of their bodies, slowly propelling them through the water. They also have light and balance sensors enabling them to determine the amount of light present and the direction they are moving. With the help of their nematocysts (stinging cells), they catch prey such as plankton, crab, fish, or even other jellies.

History
Jellyfish are believed to have been on this earth for more than 500 million years. The oldest known species, called Burgessomedusa phasmiformis was recently discovered and identified at Burgess Shale in Canada. This jellyfish is 505 million years old and was described to have a large bell-shaped body and 90 short tentacles. It could have captured large prey and has shown that the Cambrian food chain was more complex than researchers imagined. This was an amazing and rare discovery due to their delicate nature.

Conclusion
Jellyfish are an incredible species that there is still little known about. Research is constantly being conducted to help uncover more information, but their sensitivities and biological complexity can make it quite challenging. The discovery of the prehistoric jellyfish Burgessomedusa in Canada has helped scientists develop a better understanding of the timeline of their existence and their ancestors. As time goes on, may we continue to appreciate the beauty of these primeval survivors and watch them live for a million more years.

07/06/2026

Buffalo: American Bison
Photographs by expert nature and wildlife photographer Moose Henderson

American bison, commonly known as buffalo, are massive bovines with shaggy coats and a calm confidence that comes with 2,000 pounds of muscle. These rugged, powerful keystones are the largest land animals in North America. Bison have been a symbol of America’s endurance, resiliency, and strength since the beginning. They were sacred to Native Americans when Europeans first set foot on North America, and quickly became important to colonists who hunted them for meat and leather, and to preserve grazing land for cattle.

On May 9, 2016, American President Barack Obama signed the National Bison Legacy Act, naming the American bison as the national mammal of the United States of America.

Colonists nearly hunted bison to extinction before conservation efforts saved the species. Captive breeding programs, strict hunting regulations, protected status, and herd management all helped to keep America’s mammal going. There are roughly half a million bison in the world today, though most are livestock on ranches. 30,000 remain in the wild on government and private land.

The American bison has been an American icon for the past 250 years, and it will continue as long as freedom and liberty remain.

Long Reign Bison!

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