Winter is officially upon us. Crops have been harvested and now is the time to prepare for next season’s yield. Some may think that this is when farmers slow down and take a break, but there is never a lull in the life of an agriculturalist. Work continues throughout the colder months to ensure the next growing season is just as successful, if not more, than the last. 

When the holidays are over and it's time to take the tinsel down, there are multiple sustainable options for disposing of your Christmas tree. Read on for some ideas of how to recycle your real tree, what to do with an artificial tree that's past its prime, as well as some tips on what to avoid.

The Brandywine Conservancy's Penguin Court Preserve recently revitalized a 1.3 mile bluebird trail along its grounds, demonstrating the importance of predator guards and careful bird box placement. In the following guest article by D. Scott Jones, learn more about these recent changes, lessons learned, and the success that followed.

The Norway Maple (Acer platanoides) is a classic example of an invasive tree- with ties to the early American nursery trade, it was planted extensively in North America for its aesthetic appeal and horticultural value before eventually spreading into natural areas where it disrupts native plant communities.