How water striders manage raindrops
Community Rachel Sargent Mirus Community Rachel Sargent Mirus

How water striders manage raindrops

Water striders are a common sight on ponds, vernal pools, and puddles. During clear summer days, these insects seem to walk on water – a feat they accomplish through a combination of long legs that distribute their weight across the water’s surface and micro hairs that make these invertebrates extremely water-repellent. But what happens to these water walkers when it rains? 

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Living with wildlife: Bats in your house?
Community Vermont Fish & Wildlife Dept. Community Vermont Fish & Wildlife Dept.

Living with wildlife: Bats in your house?

Bats are everywhere! It may feel that way to some of Vermont’s human residents. Summer is when some species of bats gather in colonies to raise their young in human-made structures such as houses, barns, office buildings, and bat houses, but fall is the safe time to get them out.

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The world according to ferns
Community Catherine Schmitt Community Catherine Schmitt

The world according to ferns

Ferns have grown on Earth for longer than trees and flowers, and existed well before Homo sapiens. In our region, the oldest lineage, emerging 200 million years ago, is the royal fern family (Osmundaceae), including royal, cinnamon, and interrupted ferns. 

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Beech Leaf Disease found in Vermont
Community Waterbury Roundabout Community Waterbury Roundabout

Beech Leaf Disease found in Vermont

The Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation has announced that Beech Leaf Disease – a new disease affecting beech trees – has been detected in four Vermont counties: Bennington, Chittenden, Windham, and Windsor and the public is asked to help spot it elsewhere. 

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