Five Ways You Can Help Pollinators

Like so much of the world, pollinators of all kinds are facing threats and declining populations. From rising global temperatures, habitat loss, pesticides, and so much more, these vital creatures are facing immense challenges. It seems utterly overwhelming but there...

Sea Turtles of the Pacific Northwest

When I think of sea turtles, I think of more tropical waters, like off of the Hawaiian islands or in the Gulf of Mexico. This is for good reason, as sea turtles prefer the warm waters between 30 degrees north and 30 degrees south. In the western hemisphere, that area...

Beavers

This unassuming, semiaquatic rodent is seen as a nuisance by some but in reality, beavers are significant players in the health of ecosystems and are even vital in stopping wildfires. In addition to providing habitat and a source of water, the ponds and wetlands that...

Happy Earth Week!

Happy Earth Week! Each day this week, I’ll be posting about different ways to celebrate and fight for the planet.

Dealing with injured, sick, or abandoned wildlife

There are many stories of people interacting with wildlife in a disastrous way. There are stories of injuries or even death involved in people taking selfies with animals; for example, an endangered dolphin died after a crowd of people held it on a beach to take...

Spring Is On Its Way.

There is an unusual tradition held each year in a Pennsylvania town that's based on an old German legend. On February 2nd each year, a groundhog determines whether we'll have another six weeks of winter or if spring will be early! Groundhog Day has been happening in...

Endangered Species Day.

Today is Endangered Species Day, a day dedicated to bringing attention to the fact that all over the world, there are numerous vulnerable or endangered species desperately trying to survive. Animals like giraffes, rhinos, and polar bears are all endangered or...

5 Facts About Grizzly Bears

Recently, US Interior secretary Ryan Zinke announced that he is directing his staff to accelerate the recovery planning process for the grizzlies in the North Cascades to eventually help restore the grizzly back into the area. Because of that decision, here are some...

A Murder of Crows and An Unkindness of Ravens

Found throughout North America in a range of ecosystems, American crows and common ravens are similarly-looking birds that are a part of the corvid family. These blackbirds do differ from each other in many ways, like their wingspan, beak curvature, and voice, but...

Learn More About One of the World’s Largest Organisms: The Pando Tree of Utah

In Utah's Fishlake National Forest, there are 106 acres of forest that's actually a single Quaking Aspen with numerous shoots. At first glance, Pando, as the forest is called, looks like a grove of 47,000 individual Aspen trees. But a botanical researcher discovered...
Helping Ukraine

Helping Ukraine

The news and first-hand accounts coming out of Ukraine are heartbreaking, frustrating, gut-wrenching, and so much more. According to the United Nations Refugee Agency, roughly 2.7 million Ukrainian refugees have fled to neighboring countries and the European Union is...

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Behind the Breed: Pomeranians

Behind the Breed: Pomeranians

Pomeranians are small, affectionate dogs with foxy faces and gorgeous double coats. These dogs may be tiny in stature but are large in personality and have long been a favorite of royals and commoners alike. Poms are particularly great for novice owners and do great...

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American Bison

American Bison

As the continent’s largest mammal, bison are majestic, incredible animals that have long called North America home and were declared the national mammal for the United States in 2016. But after European colonization of the Americas, the population of these animals...

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Behind the Breed: Native American Indian Dog

Behind the Breed: Native American Indian Dog

Dating back thousands of years, the Native American Indian Dog has a wild appearance and patient temperament. The exact origins are unknown and highly debated, including whether or not the breed today is actually a recreation of an extinct breed. Native American...

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Getting Ready For Spring – Pets Edition!

Getting Ready For Spring – Pets Edition!

After months of short days and long nights, spring finally feels like it's right around the corner! The astrological start to the season doesn't happen until March 20th/21st but there are still plenty of ways you and your pets can get ready for the longer days and...

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Behind the Breed: Bull Terrier

Behind the Breed: Bull Terrier

With their iconic egg-shaped head, pointed ears, and triangular eyes, these dogs have an incredibly unique look to them. While Bull Terriers may seem intimidating to some, they can actually be goofy, loyal, polite dogs and are great for active homes. They are muscular...

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Behind the Breed: Savannah Cats

Behind the Breed: Savannah Cats

As an adventurous, outgoing breed, Savannah cats are not for those wanting a quiet, couch potato feline. These cats can be quite large and in charge compared to other cat breeds and would do well with people who understand their audacious spirits and agile skills....

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How To Become A Zookeeper

How To Become A Zookeeper

There are many different ways to have a career working with animals. One such way? Becoming a zookeeper! Keeping wild animals in zoos has a long and controversial history (and the dehumanizing and incredibly racist trend of keeping people in zoos around the turn of...

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Behind the Breed: Mudi

Behind the Breed: Mudi

As one of the newest breeds recognized by the American Kennel Club, the Mudi seems like a mix between a Miniature Poodle and German Shepherd, both in temperament and appearance. This breed has origins in Hungary, where most of these dogs currently live, and has worked...

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The Domestication of Cats

The Domestication of Cats

Throughout history, humans have domesticated many different plant and animal species for a variety of different reasons. Cotton has been used for fabric (like clothing and rugs) and rope; wheat, lentils, rice, and potatoes are some of the first domesticated plants...

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Behind the Breed: Basset Bleu de Gascogne

Behind the Breed: Basset Bleu de Gascogne

Also known as the Blue Gascony Basset, the Basset Blue de Gascogne is a small scent hound that is rarely seen outside its native France. While recognized by the United Kennel Club in the United States and by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale in Belgium, this...

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Surviving The Winter With Your Animals

Surviving The Winter With Your Animals

While generally mild, the winter weather in the Pacific Northwest can include everything from overcast skies and 45°f, pouring rain and floods, a significant amount of snow and ice, and everything in between. Surviving the winter with animals can, unfortunately, mean...

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Happy New Year!

Happy New Year!

The last two years have been difficult, to say the least. For me, this site has been a saving grace and on some days, a reason to get out of bed. That's been particularly true during the Covid pandemic. It's been an absolute joy learning and sharing about all the...

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Pygmy Rabbits of the Pacific Northwest

Pygmy Rabbits of the Pacific Northwest

The Pacific Northwest is lucky enough to have many different types of wild animals, including several different types of wild rabbits! One of the smallest and most endangered wild rabbit populations is actually the Columbia Basin Pygmy Rabbits. These rabbits are tiny,...

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Wildlife in the Winter

Wildlife in the Winter

Winter in the Pacific Northwest can be a bit difficult to deal with at times, as this season brings longer nights, overcast days, and cold, wet weather. Flora and fauna species alike have developed adaptations and survival mechanisms to get through this time of year....

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Behind the Breed: Anatolian Shepherd

Behind the Breed: Anatolian Shepherd

These big, tough dogs are one of the oldest breeds in the world, hailing from what is now modern-day Turkey. Anatolian Shepherds are livestock guardians, having spent thousands of years working alongside human shepherds by protecting flocks of sheep. They are...

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Behind the Breed: English Foxhound

Behind the Breed: English Foxhound

English Foxhounds are a fairly rare breed nowadays, ranking near the bottom of the American Kennel Club's popular breed list (188 out of 197!). But despite that, these hounds have a long history as hunting dogs and they're medium in size, standing 23-27 inches at the...

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