Progressive Peril While Lyme disease is predicted to be as perilous as ever this summer, with the CDC estimating 300,000 new cases to present, there is a new tick-borne illness endangering those of us who spend time outdoors. Borrelia miyamotoi is a bacteria carried by an estimated 10 percent of ticks, mostly in the Northwestern region of…
DetailsAs temperatures continue to rise into the peak of the summer, deer pressure will be at its highest. We continue to see peak temperatures consistently above 80 degrees, which will drive deer pressure up significantly. In addition to the newly born fawns that are now looking for solid foods, many adult deer will be on the…
Details
Charged about Recharge Groundwater is water that is pumped up from storage units called aquifers below the Earth’s surface. It is typically used for agricultural irrigation and drinking water. Unfortunately groundwater is being used faster than it can be replaced and recharge is a lengthy process. Groundwater recharge occurs when precipitation infiltrates through the surface…
DetailsWe are working with the US Forest Service Northern Research Station and the US Forest Products Lab on an initiative that hopes to answer that question positively. The Baltimore Wood Project web site can found here. It describes the various components of the project, some of which we’ve talked about here previously. project COUNT, by…
Details
Fun Fungus Facts The kingdom Fungi comprises some of the most important organisms, environmentally and ecologically. They are responsible for decomposition of dead organic material and most vascular plants rely on symbiotic relationships with fungi for their survival and success. And while many fungal species cause disease in both plants and animals, others are used…
Details
New Found in Newfoundland Scientists have discovered honeybee colonies in Newfoundland, Canada, which are free from the parasites affecting hives in the U.S., affording a unique research opportunity. Fungal parasites such as Nosema ceranae and viral vectors like the mite, Varroa destructor are ravaging honeybee populations throughout the U.S. and around the world making research into their…
Details
Weevils and White Grubs …oh my! In the northern parts of the region Annual Bluegrass Weevils are just reaching their larval stage while the southern areas should have already incurred the worst of the primary generation. The damage should not have been too severe as the first stage occurred during the earlier part of June…
DetailsThe US EPA, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, and the Chesapeake Bay Trust recently partnered to provide $3.7 million in grants to 34 organizations through the Green Streets, Green Towns, Green Jobs Initiative (G3). The purpose of the G3 grant program is to help add green space and reduce stormwater runoff by using green…
Details
Anabrus simplex The Mormon cricket, Anabrus simplex, is a large insect, growing up to 8 cm in length and so-called due to the near destruction of Utah settlers’ crops in 1848. These insects are not true crickets but belong to the shieldbacked katydid family, Tettigoniidae. They live throughout the American northwest, beginning in southern Canada and ranging south…
DetailsCurrent Conditions The last couple of weeks in June were dry across the region, receiving only a fraction (0.05 inches) of the average expected rainfall for the month. Daytime high temperatures have been seasonal, night time lows are consistently below average. While the warm, dry weather is pleasant, lack of rainfall with increasing temperatures will cause…
Details
