Chances are most nature goers will experience the dreaded poison ivy rash at least once in their lifetime. Poison ivy (Toxicodendron radicans) is a native plant that is valued by wildlife—humans are one of the few species vulnerable to its “poison.” The easiest way to avoid the painfully itchy reaction is to steer clear of the plant. Learn about a few common look-alike species that are often confused for poison ivy or download a handy field guide to take with you during your next nature walk.
By:
Melissa Reckner, Penguin Court Program Manager
Cottontail rabbits are considered a sign of spring, commonly associated with Easter, and frequently seen in towns and suburbs. With spring’s arrival, recycle those toilet paper rolls and make your own festive bunnies for decoration, gift giving or as egg holders![[{"fid":"...
There is probably no bigger stewardship challenge in southeastern Pennsylvania and northern Delaware than our woodlands. It is hard to maintain the quality of woods, much less improve them. Our woods have grown up over the past 75 years, on disturbed land: former farmland or clear-...
By:
Melissa Reckner, Penguin Court Program Manager
Located in the Laurel Highlands of Western Pennsylvania, the Brandywine’s Penguin Court Preserve boasts 923 acres of land that is largely forested and home to a wide variety of wildlife. As part of an ongoing research project, Duquesne University's Department of Biological Sciences has been studying and monitoring the high occurrence of bobcat sightings on the property.
By:
Sheila Fleming, Manager for Municipal Assistance, and Kathleen McCaig, Associate Planner
In this Q&A session, we chatted with Matt Meyer, County Executive for New Castle County, Delaware. When Meyer first ran for public office in 2016, he was a sixth and seventh grade Math teacher. He defeated a heavily favored three-term incumbent in a grassroots campaign to serve as the Chief Executive of Delaware’s largest county. A key policy focus is his GreeNCC agenda, aimed at addressing climate change, preserving open space, creating bikeable walkable trails and promoting clean water.
If you have a vegetable or flower garden, you’re probably well aware of the common diseases that such plants are susceptible to: tomato blights, for example, or rose rust. Plants, like animals, must defend themselves against diseases caused by bacteria, viruses and fungi, collectively called pathogens.