N.C. Forest Service World War II hero and longtime American icon, James “Jimmy” Doolittle, who gained legendary status and personal valor for his long-range retaliatory air raid — commonly referred to as “Doolittle’s Raid” — on Japan four months after the attack on Pearl Harbor, ultimately earning him the Medal of Honor, has long been attributed with the … Read more
Invasive species. It’s a term that often sparks debate. The meaning of ‘invasive’ can be subjective, which further muddies the water and often leads to misuse of the term. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) defines an invasive species as a nonnative species that, when introduced, causes or is likely to cause economic or environmental … Read more
The number of days left before the opening of the 2024 N.C. State Fair are in the single digits and this year is sure to offer traditional favorites blended with several new attractions. Whether you’re a foodie planning to stuff your face with enough “home grown happiness” to go around, a thrill seeker on the … Read more
The images that most likely come to people’s minds when they hear climate change or sea level rise are often of flooded city streets and buildings being lost to the sea. However, these dramatic images often overshadow the more subtle yet significant impact sea level rise is having along the Atlantic coastline. The change may … Read more
As we enter the dog days of summer, you may notice the lush green foliage of many trees and shrubs becoming marred by unsightly webs or seeming to have skipped over the bright reds and oranges of fall and have faded straight to brown, if not completely missing. This transformation may be alarming, although the … Read more
At roughly the halfway point from when allied forces stormed the beaches of Normandy to embark on the liberation of Western Europe (June 6) and Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s successful reelection bid that made him the only U.S. President to serve a fourth term (Nov. 7), another iconic household name took shape in 1944. Smokey Bear … Read more
The health of North Carolina’s forests can be negatively impacted by a number of factors such as wildfire, insects and diseases. Elements such as these are a major threat to our forest resources with insects and diseases claiming more timber each year than any other forest menace. In many cases, these influences are driven, almost … Read more
North Carolina traditionally experiences two seasons annually in which wildfire risk is heightened and activity increases. The year’s first wildfire season occurs March through early May when humidity levels tend to be lower and trees, shrubs and other natural vegetation begin pulling necessary moisture and nutrients from the ground to green-up, blossom and bloom. This … Read more
North Carolina’s Got To Be NC (GTBNC) Festival is just days away and the annual event is sure to offer entertainment for all ages. Rides, exhibits, parades, action alley, career opportunities and of course, lots and lots of food. These are just a few of the many options that will be on display during the … Read more
More than a century ago, the American chestnut (Castanea dentata) was a common overstory tree across portions of eastern North American forests. These giants thrived on moist, well drained slopes and ridges across the Appalachians, towering more than 100 feet tall with an average diameter at breast height (DBH) of five to eight feet. Their … Read more
