Season Watch Newsletter: 10/14/2023

It's eclipse day! Although you'll have to drive south pretty quickly to catch the full eclipse, the moon will partially obscure the sun in Minnesota between about 10:30-1:15. Learn more here or watch a livestream here! Better yet- get out there and watch it in person, weather allowing.

FEATURE: Homegrown National Park

In the final episode (for now) of the Decline of Native Pollinators series, we talked with Brandon Hough from the Homegrown National Park (HNP) movement. The HNP seeks to reconnect environmental networks and corridors by encouraging homeowners, renters, and businesses to restore small areas of land with native plantings.

A fun and informative aspect of the project is that each volunteer registers their restoration effort on an online map. The HNP provides volunteers with resources to determine which native plants will have the most impact for their area, as well as information on container gardening for folks who just have access to a balcony or patio.

Incremental efforts make for incredible effects!

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STUDENT AND LISTENER CONTRIBUTIONS

This week had me cackling and oh-so-proud of our students! Our buddies at Roots and Wings Forest School had an epic adventure, and John was absolutely euphoric about the student phenologists' observational acuity and nature knowledge.

Hear their voices!

JOHN LATIMER'S WEEKLY REPORT

Tomorrow, 10/14, marks the beginning of John's 40th year! This week, he discussed how the date of the first killing frost has changed over the years. He also highlights an encounter with a pair of amorous Ruffed Grouse and discusses which plants are stubbornly hanging on to their leaves.

Listen to John's report!

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CHARLIE'S RECOMMENDATION

Apparently you can just... befriend a grouse by making a weird noise and scratching in the dirt? This is what I needed to learn in school, y'all. Think of all the little grouse friends I could have made by now...

Excuse me while I summon my grouse army

Bonus fact: An annular eclipse is distinguished by "ring of fire" (the sun's light) still visible around the moon. Today's eclipse is the last annular eclipse to be visible in the U.S. until 2039 (and that one will be visible only in Alaska!)

Season Watch Photo Feature:

Steve Patterson

Hooded Merganser (Lophodytes cucullatus). Ojibwe: Zhiishib

Get outta the house and befriend a grouse!

Northern Community Radio

KAXE/KBXE

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Funding for this project was provided by the Minnesota Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund as recommended by the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR). The Trust Fund is a permanent fund constitutionally established by the citizens of Minnesota to assist in the protection, conservation, preservation, and enhancement of the state’s air, water, land, fish, wildlife, and other natural resources.