Ah, water. Earth’s life blood. Although not alive itself, water is necessary to life for all living things. It composes 71% of the Earth’s surface and up to 60% of an adult human body. We drink it, cook with it, use it to clean our clothes, homes, and bodies, and even swim and play in … Read More
Is there a group of animals that can conjure up the creepy crawlies and visions of ruined picnics like the ant? For most, only one experience with an overlooked ant pile can quickly create a negative impression for a lifetime. However, if we do like an ant and dig a little deeper, we can discover … Read More
Look closely! If you walk through the beautiful woods and thickets at Long Acres Ranch, and don’t slow down and observe the small workings of the world around you, you run the risk of missing out on some truly amazing ecological interactions. One such interaction is between the Leafcutter ant (Atta spp.) and the available … Read More
Signs of fall – cooler temperatures, pumpkin patches, shorter days, colorful leaves – well, we in Texas can experience most of these signs of fall and know that for a short while, we may be able to actually enjoy being outside. One of those signs – colorful leaves – is not so prevalent in our … Read More
Living on the Edge “Using Strip Shredding or Mowing to Promote Wildlife Habitat and Diversity” Life for many during these challenging times, have brought along a new appreciation for being outdoors and enjoying what nature has to offer. Folks are leaving their homes and seeking out parks and green spaces and experiencing the health benefits … Read More
An animal track is the imprint left behind by an animal in the soil, mud, snow or any other surface that it walks across. Animal tracks can give us a great deal of information about the ecosystem in which we find them. They are used by hunters in order to track prey or by ranchers … Read More
Image by mohamed Hassan from Pixabay In recent years, people have begun spending more and more time indoors and online. Maybe it’s the heat, maybe it’s fear, maybe it’s lack of adventure – whatever the reason, scientists are beginning to find evidence that getting out in nature can have a positive, lasting effect on our brains and behavior.
If you do a quick Google search, you will find a number of articles on the Bobwhite quail decline. These quail have been studied more heavily the last several decades, trying to pinpoint the reason for the decline. The most widely discussed and accepted theories include invasive fire ants, high predator drive from animals such … Read More
Have you ever wondered why baby animals tend to be born in the Spring? What makes this season so different that we can easily spot baby ducks, chicks, calves and bunnies? There are a few contributing factors to this phenomenon. First, the more favorable weather conditions are one factor. Warmer temperatures and less chance of … Read More
By Scott Lightle In late February, some of the brightest high school minds and future natural resource professionals from all across Texas converged on Long Acres Ranch to compete in an invitational, Future Farmers of America, or FFA, Career Development Event. Opportunities for future leaders and professionals The National FFA Organization is an intracurricular student organization … Read More
