EcoHearth: Come Home to the Earth

Are there wolves hiding in the vast forests of Maine? Debate over this question has raged for decades. One side points to numerous sightings and people who hear them howling in the night. The other side argues that (with a single exception back in 1996), there has been no conclusive evidence to prove they are here. Now, the Wolf Inquiry Project is setting out to see if they can find that proof. How? They'll simply ask the wolves. Read on…

I've spent a lot of time over the course of my career wondering what goes on inside the minds of wild animals. Do they ponder the past? Do they dream about their future? I have to admit, questions like these aren't exactly what was going through my mind a few nights ago as the rear end of a moose was going through the windshield of my minivan. What I was thinking was more akin to what the moose left on my roof as his bowels let loose on impact. Read on…

Who owns your favorite hiking trail? Who is responsible for the pristine mountain, valley, lake or stream that you see every day on your way to work, or where you go to get away from it all on the weekend? In the American West, the government owns millions of acres of public land, but in other parts of the country, most of the land that we use for hiking, scenic vistas, camping, fishing, birding, boating and generally rejuvenating the human spirit, has been preserved by land trusts. They also conserve historical sites, important wildlife habitats and even family farms. Do you know what land trusts have done to preserve land where you live? Read on…

In 2000, I decided that something had to change. The New Orleans heat was driving me crazy and I wanted to move closer to some mountains—any mountains. The stress of my job and a broken marriage was taking its toll on me. I needed a new home and new career. I also craved some adventure and a fresh outlook on life. If any of this strikes a chord with you, read on and I'll tell you about an inspirational book that can help you begin to chart your life's new course. Read on…

"How did you get to be a wildlife biologist?" It's a question I hear pretty often in one form or another. Sometimes it's from a kid who only knows I get to work with wild animals, which sounds pretty cool. Other times it's from an adult, perhaps wondering how to escape the cubicle and set off on a new path working for Mother Nature. Like many other fields, a master's degree is becoming increasingly important in Wildlife Biology, but there are more ways than one to follow your dream. Whether you want to save the world, or just advance science a step or two, the system can be short-circuited and you can have a pretty good adventure along the way. Read on…