Blog Archives

Endangered Tiny Tarantula Faces Habitat Loss

An endangered, tiny tarantula living in moss in the Appalachian Mountains is losing more of its habitat.

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10 New Spider Species Discovered in Appalachia

A tan spider with dark markings on its back pulling a large, white egg sac behind it, is seen from a side angle

Researchers have discovered 10 new spider species that have adapted to the subterranean habitat of Appalachian caves.

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Bewitched Botany

Dried stalks and seed pods stand out against trees and a blue sky mottled by clouds.

Discover the sinister beauty of four toxic plants that call the mystical Appalachian Mountains home: pokeweed, dolls’ eyes, climbing nightshade and jimsonweed.

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Chasing the Light of Bioluminescence

Bright yellow, green and blue squiggles of lightweave through a dark, forest floor.

Something enchanting lives in Appalachia’s forests. From green glows to bright sparks, bioluminescent lights glow in the summer nights.

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Saving the Tiny Bog Turtle Could Have a Big Impact on Conservation

a dark bog turtle with yellow markings on its neck

A petition to protect southern bog turtles under the Endangered Species Act could also help protect their mountain bog homes. But with diminishing habitat and other threats, time could run out for North America’s smallest turtles.

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Northern Long-Eared Bats Added to Endangered Species List

bat head and wings

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service recently classified northern long-eared bats as endangered, which could help save the species most impacted by the deadly fungal disease known as white-nose syndrome.

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Native Plant Rescue Squad Aims to Boost the Biodiversity of Tennessee Neighborhoods

three smiling people and a dog in a greenhouse

By saving native plants from destruction and helping these plants find new homes, the Native Plant Rescue Squad is “helping reconnect people to themselves through the natural world.”

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Chubs: A key species and a mystery

A gray and green fish carries a stone in its moth, surrounded by smaller red fish

Snorkelers helped to uncover a population of river chubs in an unusual location.

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Lions and Trails and Foragers, Oh My!

Wild dandelions with bright yellow disk-like petals. Photo courtesy of Ila Hatter.

Dandelions are complex, nutrient-rich plants with a distinct appearance that makes them ideal for novice foragers.

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Surviving Winter as a Salamander in Appalachia

A green salamander peeks its head outside its rocky winter retreat.

What do salamanders do when the air turns frigid? UVA-Wise professor Walter Smith has been observing a particular green salamander for 8 years, and shares some of the species’ survival strategies.

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