Heliopsis helianthoides seedheads in the snow. Photo credit: Devin Floyd February 23, 2021 In December and January, above ground plant growth is on pause and seeds are biding their time before they break dormancy and expose tender leaves to the sun. Those who tend the ground must use this calm and quiet time to rest […]
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The dangling fruit of Celtis occidentalis (common hackberry) provides an extended offering of nutrient-rich food for birds even during the middle of winter. February 22, 2021 It’s been an unusually wet and icy winter thus far in the Central Virginia Piedmont, and we have been focused on writing, research, planning, and preparation for the coming […]
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By Rachel Floyd Most of the time, when discussing plant species, I find Latin names preferable to common ones. This is because Latin usually leaves less room for confusion, since there is only one Latin binomial given to a particular plant species while the same species may have several common names. However, there are exceptions […]
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by Luisa BlackFebruary 1, 2021 In the late winter, when the beauty of the land tends towards subtle, sparing gestures, the cling and spackle of lichens sing out to me as vivid as bells in the biting wind. I am always drawn to ancient and obscure organisms, but lichens, perhaps the most cryptic of the […]
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Above: Metallic bee species, Agapostemon sp., by Emily Luebke by Rachel FloydJanuary 26, 2021 Bees have been media darlings for years now making hobby beekeeping, “bee-friendly” flower gardens, and decorative bee houses trendy additions to thousands of backyard landscapes. It seems simple enough and we all like supporting a good cause, but the truth is, […]
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Question: What are the top 5 things you would like to see changed in Charlottesville/Albemarle that would make our community better? (Part 4 of 5)
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Above: Unplanted, high-quality Piedmont prairie view, Fluvanna County. Image by D. Floyd, at one of CUH’s 2021 grassland research sites. Protect what is left of Indigenous Grassland Habitats By Devin FloydJanuary 25, 2021 Despite the indoctrination most of us received, towering dark forests are not natural in much of the Piedmont. Ecologists now understand that […]
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January 14th, 2021 By Rachel Floyd, CUH Design+Restoration Project Manager I am less than fond of cold weather and would prefer to migrate or hibernate through the winter, but my partner finds chill air and snow invigorating and occasionally brings home interesting souvenirs from his wintertime forays. My current favorite is a small fallen branch […]
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January 3rd, 2021 By Rachel Floyd One of the most interesting mushrooms that pops up in fall and early winter in the Piedmont is the shaggy mane (Coprinus comatus). It is in a group of mushrooms commonly called inky caps, owing to their habit of dissolving into black piles of goo shortly after pushing their […]
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Above: Part of the CUH landscape restoration crew at Brumfield Elementary School in Northern Virginia. From left to right, field techs Julia, Ashley, Maren, Lance, and Jessie. Image by Rachel Floyd. The 2020 Roundup What a year! 2020 was a year of cultural upheaval, and this presented many challenges. We have emerged the stronger for […]
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Above: Part of the CUH survey crew at a survey site near Montebello, Virginia. Crew members, left to right, Devin, Jessie, Olivia, Emily, Ashley, and Ezra. Image by the client, Anna Lane. What have we been up to in 2020? It’s been a challenging year for all of us, but we are happy to report […]