iNaturalist and Crowdsourcing Natural History
The citizen-science app iNaturalist lets you record observations of plants and animals. The data can be used to study biodiversity.
Freshwater Fish of Virginia
Roanoke College's Ichthyological Collection of over 800 freshwater fish documents the biodiversity we're losing at an alarming rate.
Corn Is Everywhere!
Two educators use the history of corn, from the domestication of maize 10,000 years ago to today's ubiquitous "commodity corn," to teach about biodiversity.
Plant of the Month: Guava
Often classified as an invasive species, guava ignites a longstanding, transnational battle over foreign invaders and local customs.
Sharks Before and After Jaws
The blockbuster Jaws (1975) provoked fear by portraying sharks as “mindless eating machines.” But what did people think of sharks before then?
Plant of the Month: Peony
Peony's effectiveness as an ancient cure translated into a tool of statecraft in the eighteenth century.
Plant of the Month: The Dragon Tree
Dragon's blood is all the rage now, but where does the scarlet resin come from?
The Great Grape Graft That Saved the Wine Industry
Grape varieties from North America seemed harmless to French winemakers. But destructive bugs were imported with the plants.
So You Want to Buy a Pet Chicken?
Looking for a sense of comfort and security by buying a chicken? You'll get more than you bargained for.
Why Learning the Names of Trees Is Good for You
Getting to know trees can lead to new ways of looking at the world.