Animal Costumes - Dressmaking & Design by Sandy Durso

09/26/2024

06/17/2024

2024 - The Xerces Society recently launched Firefly Atlas. www.fireflyatlas.org

Firefly Atlas will garner more detailed and more specific data, allowing for even greater learning about the diversity of firefly species in the United States.

Xerces, a science-based nonprofit organization that protects wildlife through the conservation of invertebrates - collects species-level data on the distribution and seasonal timing of fireflies.

* This citizen science site replaces: https://www.massaudubon.org/programs-events/community-science/firefly-watch which has shut down.

12/01/2023

Long Branch Nature Center in
Arlington, Virginia. ....

MUCH more to come!!!

11/01/2023

11/01/2023

Video: https://www.facebook.com/reel/648271514098539/

10/19/2023

October 2023 - Mantis in The NY Times Crossword!
I know! I know!

10/17/2023

October 17, 2023 - National Possum Day 💛

The town of Wausau, in the panhandle of Florida, is a quiet pocket of the state with a full-time population of fewer than 400 people.

But every year, thousands of visitors pour into the “Possum Capital of the World" - home to more possums than humans - to celebrate a local hero: the possum!

Their annual Possum Festival (started in 1970) celebrates with a possum parade, live music, costumes, and even a contest to crown a Possum King and Queen!

https://www.wjhg.com/2023/08/03/wausaus-54th-possum-festival-fun-day-returns/

The proceeds raised during the festival help fund scholarships for graduating high school seniors.

This past year, three lucky students were awarded $4,000 scholarships from the money raised by the Possum Festival.

https://www.mypanhandle.com/news/possum-festival-attracts-large-crowds-for-53rd-year/

10/17/2023

October 17, 2023 - National Possum Day 💛

This 12 foot tall Possum Monument was built in 1982 as a permanent tribute to the possum .
~Wausau, Florida

It is engraved with the words, “Erected in grateful recognition of the role the North American possum - a magnificent survivor of the marsupial family pre-dating the ages of the mastodon and the dinosaur - has played in furnishing both food and fur for the early settlers and their successors. Their presence here has provided a source of nutritious and flavorful food in normal times and has been important aid to human survival in times of distress and critical need.”

https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/possum-monument #:~:text=Wausau%20is%20home%20to%20more,Possum%20Capital%E2%80%9D%20of%20the%20world.

04/13/2023

April 2023 - Share from Monarch Watch
🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋
FREE MILKWEED for large-scale (two acres or more, ¼ acre or more in California) native habitat restoration only.

🦋 Habitat restoration is defined as the practice of renewing and restoring degraded, damaged, or destroyed ecosystems and habitats.
🦋 Gardens or landscaped areas do not qualify as restoration and are not included in this grant. 🦋 The portion of property where milkweed will be planted must meet the minimum acreage requirement, and have a management plan in place.
🦋 Roadsides and Trails are acceptable areas.

Map here: (scroll down on this link) https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1huxKakdZBUv7pe9UOjAfSbzLfTlozx8CU48XK2Y8JVY/viewform

Those awarded free milkweeds need only pay shipping/handling, which is modest compared to the value of the plants. For most shipments, four flats cost $40-$80 to ship via UPS or FedEx Ground, (20-40 cents per plant).

Details here: https://monarchwatch.org/bring-back-the-monarchs/milkweed/free-milkweeds-for-restoration-projects/

02/28/2023

Possum humor 🙃🎶