Can you tell the gender of this box turtle?

Eastern box turtles are the most common terrestrial turtle in the eastern United States. Reaching a maximum length of eight inches, they are highly variable in shape, pattern, and coloration. They can be found in a wide variety of habitats from wooded swamps to dry, grassy fields, though they are most abundant in moist forested areas with plenty of underbrush.

When we think about indicators of stream health, we generally think of macroinvertebrates such as the larvae of damselflies or mayflies, or "herps" like frogs and salamanders. But birds can also be an indicator of stream health. The presence of Louisiana waterthrush during the breeding season can tell us a thing or two about water quality.

Mile-a-minute (MAM) is an herbaceous, annual non-native vine that has severely degraded our natural landscape. It can grow to 15 feet in height and often out-competes native vegetation by blocking light. Tree seedlings are often smothered as mile-a-minute vines climb over them at a rate of approximately six inches per day and a length of approximately 20 feet or more per growing season.

We always encourage landowners and landscapers to plant species of trees and shrubs that are not only native to our region but that are aesthetically pleasing and a little different than the usual suspects. There are many shrub species from which to choose, but our struggles with deer and their excessive appetites often limit our willingness to experiment. One native shrub that is underutilized in our region is False Indigo.