How does language shape our view of reality?
There is an interesting field of study known as psycholinguistics which concerns itself with, among other things, the interplay between spoken language and cognition. As with most interesting scientific phenomena, the notion that language dictates cognition has a long...
Happy Black History Month
There are a lot of ways to spend Black History Month. Often times, the only focus is on past civil rights movements. This history is integral to understanding the context and significance of our current racial society, but Black communities are...
Bogfoot and the Goblins Gold for Tell a Fairy Tale Day
Peat bogs are mysterious worlds where curious events regularly take place. It’s well known that, much like a mushroom faerie ring, time passes much more rapidly than outside it. Step inside, and it may be decades or centuries before one may tumble out again, a very...
Valentine’s Chocolate for Forestation
This year make sure the chocolates you give your sweetheart won’t be the unintentional source of heartbreak. Much of the world’s chocolate supply is grown to fuel conflict, employ slave labor, or degrade the environment; leaving more of a bitter aftertaste than what...
Native of the Month: Lichens
After the first meeting, if the fungus and algae are compatible, they can make a lichen body (thallus). This means that only certain algae and certain fungi can get together to form a lichen. Lichens are a symbiotic partnership of two or more separate lifeforms, a...
Native of the Month: Rabbits
You may have heard that 2023 is the Year of the Rabbit. Like the other members of the Chinese zodiac, the Year of the Rabbit comes once every 12 years. In Chinese culture, the rabbit waits for the ideal moment and leaps into action, and is considered quite lucky,...
SHADOW Spotlight: Shelley Pasco
Shelley (she/her) grew up on the forested Olympic Peninsula and found her passion for nature as a teenager in the woods, diving her time between a stream-fed wetland and a peat bog. Since 1998, she has operated a CSA at Whistling Train Farm in the Kent Valley. While...
Happy 2023!
We’ve returned from our holiday break and the Nature Preserve is once again open to visitors. Please note that we are continuing to use our reservation system, so sign up and pay us a visit! What a winter we have had so far: ice storms and wind brought down many...
How people living in cold countries survive long winters
Some of the “happiest” countries are the coldest in the winter. Aside from universal healthcare, vacation days, and parental leave, these countries also have a mindset to help keep spirits up. Although there is nothing wrong with acknowledging that we feel down during...
Native of the Month: Crows
In the Pacific Northwest, crows and ravens are ubiquitous, but how often do we stop to admire them? A lot of people have heard of crows bringing humans coins who feed them and can recognize faces but that is only the tip of the iceberg. Crows and ravens belong to the...
SHADOW Spotlight: Devon Clemens
SHADOW is delighted to announce that Devon is back "in the bog"! Devon was the preserve's executive director before taking on a role as the Development Manager at Earth Corps. Devon has returned to serve on the Board of Directors for SHADOW and we could not be...
The Christmas Bird Count Digression
This is an exciting time of year for so many reasons. The final days leading up to the Solstice mark the shift from days shortening to lengthening, which also brings a sense of renewal and hope. Here at SHADOW, we will be ending 2022 with an annual tradition, which is...
SHADOW Spotlight: Sara Parker
SHADOW is fortunate to have a suite of volunteers helping us accomplish our mission! From Mountaineer and Scout Troop work parties to our Board of Directors, volunteers are the very heart of our organization. One such amazing volunteer is Sara...
Native of the Month: Black-tailed deer
Columbian Black-tailed deer (Odocoileus hemionus ssp. Columbianus) and deer rubs One of SHADOW's most frequent habitat users, the Columbian Black-tailed deer's footprints and deer rubs can most often be found in the Uplands and Native Garden habitats. What is a deer...
Giving thanks can make you happier
Winter can cause mixed emotions for a lot of people. Although it can be a season of joy, complicated family relationships and the lack of sun can cause sadness and feelings of being overwhelmed. Research suggests though, that gratitude can help alleviate some of the...
A comparison of the recruitment success of introduced and native species under natural conditions
We tend to think that native species have no chance at survival if nonnative species are introduced to an area. Because introduced species often create an imbalance of nutrients and competition, they can create a monoculture and takeover land, but is this always...
In artificial roost comparison, bats show preference for rocket box style
Although we aim to improve and expand habitat for wildlife, sometime creating artificial habitats is necessary to support populations and to understand microhabitat preferences. In this study, three artificial roosts were constructed: bat box, rocket box, and bark...
Native of the Month: Bats
Bats, order Chiroptera, are the second most diverse order of mammals on the planet, outnumbered only by rodents. Bats occur worldwide, except Antarctica, and they display an astonishing range in size. The largest species is the giant golden-crowned flying fox, native...
Biophilia, Biophobia, & Chiroptera, oh my!
In 1984, renowned naturalist and Harvard professor, E. O. Wilson published Biophilia, a book in which he laid out his hypothesis that humans have a deep biological need to connect with the natural world. Wilson didn’t coin the term biophilia -- literally translated to...
Native of the Month: Spiders
Some may cringe or feel repulsed at the thought or sight of spiders, but honestly once you realize their environmental significance, you can’t help but appreciate these 8-legged beauties. SHADOW Lake Nature Preserve hosts a diverse and species rich spider community....
The rise of an apex predator following deglaciation
As us environmental enthusiasts know, finding effective and timely solutions to the climate crisis can feel daunting and upsetting. But appreciating wins for the planet keep us moving towards our goal of creating healthy ecosystems! With the addition of...
