Natural World

Blindsided by a Mole

An Oregonian's book about moles inspires a look at what these creatures are all about

Even though I'm nearing the end of my sojourn here on this beautiful earth—our home away from home—I still appreciate fresh new experiences to keep me young. Such was the case when I entered Tsunami Books on Willamette Street in Eugene.

By Jim Anderson Mar 3, 2021

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Monarch butterflies need your green thumb

Growing and planting milkweed can help

As spring draws nearer by the day, many people in Central Oregon start to get eager for the resumption of warm weather and springtime habits. For some, gardening tops that list, and they jump the season by starting garden seeds indoors.

By Sarah Mowry Feb 24, 2021

Winter Wildlife Tracking

Take some time on a snowy winter day to see where animal tracks might lead you

If you're like many central Oregonians this winter, you're spending a lot of time outside in the snow. Whether skiing, sledding or snowshoeing, taking the time to pause and observe wildlife tracks in the winter can be a great way to learn a little more about the wildlife with whom we share these snowy playgrounds.

By Sarah Mowry Jan 27, 2021

Conservationists Howling Mad After Gray Wolf ESA Delisting

Controversial action by the USFWS has conservation groups going to court

The return of gray wolves to their ancestral haunts is one of the great American conservation success stories. These ancestors of the domestic dog were extirpated over much of their range in the last 100 years.

By Damian Fagan Jan 6, 2021

Rolling Back Environmental Protections: A Laundry List of the Past Four Years

Over 100 legislative or administrative rollbacks targeted during the outgoing administration

As its time in office comes to a close and we look ahead to 2021, the Trump Administration will be remembered for many things—but conservation will not be one of them. During his time in office, his administration has led an assault on the environment: reversing, revoking, or rolling back nearly 100 rules and regulations that impacted clean air, clean water, wildlife, toxic chemicals, energy exploration and emissions, and climate change, to name but a few.

By Damian Fagan Dec 30, 2020

Birds in Binoculars

It used to be called "bird watching." Now, it's just "birding."

There is a well-developed pastime taking place across the nation that keeps thousands of people occupied from dawn to dark. You can usually find them congregated around bodies of water, binoculars glued to their eyeballs.

By Jim Anderson Dec 23, 2020

The Cleanup Crew

Carrion beetles perform a much-needed service in the natural world

Did ya' ever think When the hearse goes by That some sweet day you're gonna die? They'll put you in a neat pine box And cover you over with soil and rocks Well, all goes well for about a week And then the pine box begins to creak The bugs crawl in, the bugs crawl out Into your stomach and out of your mouth And the worms play pinochle on your chin...

By Jim Anderson Nov 25, 2020

Winter Raptors

Birds of prey flock to Central Oregon to dine "al Rodentia" in winter

Driving through Central Oregon in winter, past agricultural fields or open sagebrush flats dotted with juniper, one is bound to notice hawks or eagles perched on powerline poles, fence posts, irrigation wheel lines—or perhaps soaring overhead. Birds of prey concentrate in the region due to an abundance of prey, including waterfowl, songbirds, rodents, carrion and small mammals.

By Damian Fagan Nov 18, 2020

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Oh! Rats

Reflections on the deadliest pandemic recorded in human history

Several years ago, I heard a tragic story of a young child from Simnasho living on the Warm Springs Reservation who died from bubonic plague; it got a lot of people's attention. The story I heard was that her pet house cat killed and carried a Belding's Ground Squirrel into her home.

By Jim Anderson Oct 28, 2020

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It's Sage-Grouse Hunting Season

State officials still allow hunters to grab Greater sage-grouse, despite their imperiled numbers

Some people just never "retire;" they just jump from one job to another. (Editor's note: Case in point: Jim Anderson, who penned this piece despite announcing his "retirement" from this column!)

By Jim Anderson Sep 16, 2020

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The New Ambassador

A new Eurasian eagle-owl is turning heads at the Sunriver Nature Center

There is no larger owl on the European continent than the Eurasian Eagle-owl, Bubo bubo. You have to travel several thousand miles to see one in the wild.

By Jim Anderson Aug 19, 2020