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Posts Tagged "environmental health"

What’s Under That Rock?

Posted on Oct 9, 2015

What’s Under That Rock?

As a little girl growing up in rural Western New York, I always had an affinity for animals. My mom worked at a veterinary clinic and would often take me to work with her where, at a young age, I learned to respect animals and treat them with gentleness and compassion. I also spent a lot of time in the woods going on hikes with my dad and grandpa finding whatever was along the trail or fishing out whatever was in a nearby fishing hole. For the longest time I loved all things furry, with horses, dogs, and guinea pigs being amongst my favorites. But as I grew a little older and spent more time...

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Antler Asymmetry

Posted on Oct 27, 2014

Antler Asymmetry

White-tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus) are a common sight throughout the Chautauqua-Allegheny region. These large mammals are often seen within the forests, fields and backyards that make up the area and all look relatively similar, having a brown and white body, big black eyes, black snouts and that characteristic white tail. This widespread ungulate often goes overlooked due to our familiarity with its presence and its rather ordinary look throughout most of the year. However, as autumn approaches, deer become much more interesting to some as males adorned with their large, bony...

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Our Own Alaska

Posted on Jun 3, 2014

Our Own Alaska

Around this time last year I found myself boarding a plane with 10 other Houghton College students bound for the state of Alaska for a 15 day trip. Previous to getting on the plane, we had spent an intensive four days in class learning about the unique ecosystems, like none of our own here in New York, we would soon see. We left New York from Rochester, and a layover and seven hours of flying later we arrived around midnight in Anchorage. It was dark when we landed, but while we were waiting to be shuttled to our hotel we were able to peer over the buildings and see the peaks of several snow...

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Mange, poisons and wildlife

Posted on Apr 18, 2014

Mange, poisons and wildlife

Early yesterday afternoon I posted an article on our Facebook page titled, “Household rat poison linked to death and disease in wildlife” from the Los Angeles Times. It discussed the following: The mountain lion known as P-22 looked majestic just a few months ago, in a trail-camera photo shot against the backdrop of the Hollywood sign. But when a remote camera in Griffith Park captured an image of the puma more recently, it showed a thinner and mangy animal. Scientists sedated him and drew blood samples. They found evidence of exposure to rat poisons. Now, researchers say they...

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Tick invasion bringing epidemics

Posted on Oct 29, 2013

Tick invasion bringing epidemics

During my first nearly three months in Chautauqua County, New York and surrounding areas I have met hundreds of naturalists and birders, spoken here at RTPI a few times, and discussed countless topics relating to our local environment. Invariably I end up comparing what I have seen or heard of here to my life in Connecticut. One ideal I try to impart is that we do not want this region to end up like Connecticut has in many respects (sorry, it’s true!) pertaining to the natural world. The most frightening aspect that always receives stunned reactions and fearful glances is when I...

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