Years ago, I started reading books on Taoism. One Taoist concept I learned early on was the inevitability of change. Nothing stays the same, Taoists tell us. Things move, shift, grow, and fade, whether we’re paying attention or not.
Years later, I became interested in ecology, and I began to wonder: how do forests change? Specifically, I began to wonder how forests in the northeastern United States have changed over the past 400 years.
Turns out, I wasn’t the only one wondering about this. Ecologists have been trying to figure this out for a long time. What they’ve found is somewhat surprising and even a bit paradoxical:
After 400 years of intense land use, the northeastern forest is both largely unchanged and completely transformed.
There’s a question that runs through my mind almost every single day:
Why do things look the way that they do?
Of course, I’m mostly referring to why things in nature objectively look a certain way — why a particular forest is coniferous, or why calcium-loving plants grow in certain wetlands.
I think a lot of people ask related questions, but what I’ve noticed over the years is that some of us frame these questions through a negative lens.
We might wonder, for example, why bad things are happening to certain ecosystems, why some landscapes look rough, and ultimately why humans are so disconnected from nature.
I don’t claim to know with absolute certainty why these things are happening, but I think the answer has something to do with this:
These are only a few of the many illnesses associated with tick bites.
Interestingly, these illnesses are much more common today than they were even just a few decades ago. Why is that?
One way to get some answers is to figure out why tick populations are increasing. According to the CDC, the number of U.S. counties with an established population of blacklegged ticks has more than doubled since 1998.
How did this happen? What factors contributed to the explosion in tick populations? Did the U.S. government have something to do with this? Or did this all happen by chance?
I’m excited to announce that I’ll be leading a series of forest ecology outings, and I’d love for you to join me!
On August 30 and 31, 2025, I will be leading two Summer Forest Ecology Outings at McConnells Mill State Park in Pennsylvania.
Designated a National Natural Landmark for its outstanding features, McConnells Mill is a treasure trove for learning. Central to the park’s landscape is the Slippery Rock Gorge — a deep ravine carved by powerful forces, exposing millions of years of ancient bedrock and currently supporting mature forest ecosystems.
Located in northwestern Pennsylvania, Cook Forest is home to one of the last remaining old-growth forests in the entire region, with 11 old-growth areas spanning over 2,300 acres. One of the areas within the park, the Forest Cathedral, contains arguably the finest concentration of old-growth trees in the northeastern United States.
During these outings, we will walk through deciduous and coniferous woodlands while discussing forest ecology. We’ll investigate big trees and big rocks. We’ll see historic landmarks, and we’ll discuss important geological influences that have drastically shaped the landscape.
In addition to learning key characteristics of mature and old-growth forests, participants will learn tree identification, mushroom ecology and identification, the role of fire as an ecological agent, ways to interpret forest history, and much more.
These outings are great opportunities to learn, explore, and connect with nature in spectacular settings. They’re also great opportunities to meet wonderful people.
Please note: Each outing is a single-day event. To maximize your learning experience, space is limited and registration with payment in advance is required to secure your spot.
I’m excited to announce that I’ll be leading a Summer Forest Ecology Outing in a few weeks, and I’d love for you to join me!
This outing offers a unique in-person opportunity to learn the fascinating ecology and geology of a remarkable area: McConnells Mill State Park in Pennsylvania.
Designated a National Natural Landmark for its outstanding features, McConnells Mill State Park is a treasure trove for learning. Central to the park’s landscape is the Slippery Rock Gorge — a deep ravine carved by powerful forces, exposing millions of years of ancient bedrock and currently supporting mature forest ecosystems.
During this outing, we will walk through deciduous and coniferous woodlands while discussing forest ecology. We’ll investigate big trees and big rocks. We’ll see historic landmarks, and we’ll discuss important geological influences that have drastically shaped the landscape.
In addition to learning key characteristics of mature forests, participants will learn tree identification techniques, mushroom ecology and identification, the influence of glacial activity on landscape development, ways to interpret forest history, and much more.
This outing is the perfect opportunity to learn, explore, and connect with nature in a truly spectacular setting.
Interested? Here are the details:
When: Saturday, July 12 or Sunday, July 13, 2025 (Choose one date; both programs will cover the same material.) Where: McConnells Mill State Park, Pennsylvania Time: 10:00 am — 4:00 pm
To maximize your learning experience, space is limited and registration with payment in advance is required to secure your spot.
Green isn’t always good. In fact, green can sometimes be associated with neurodegenerative diseases.
This is especially true when we take a look at golf courses. Golf courses use heavy amounts of pesticides to maintain uniform conditions. These chemicals kill undesirable plants and insects, but they also weaken human health.
Researchers have known for a long time that pesticides pose significant risks to human health, ranging from acute poisoning to chronic issues like cancer and reproductive problems. A brand-new study adds even more evidence to the growing body of research.
Published a few weeks ago, this latest study found an association between living close to a golf course and the odds of developing Parkinson’s Disease. People living within 1 to 3 miles of a golf course were found to be at greatest risk.
What is it about living close to a golf course that’s associated with developing Parkinson’s Disease? Is it breathing in airborne chemicals? Is it groundwater contamination? Does geology have anything to do with it?
In a brand-new video, I answer these important questions. I also address whether or not it’s safe to forage and hunt near golf courses.
First, I want to say thank you to everyone who registered for the upcoming Old-Growth Forest Ecology Outing on May 31 and June 1. Both programs are sold out. Stay tuned for more Learn Your Land events this year!
I also want to mention that Exploring Wild Ecosystems will be open for enrollment on Monday, May 12. Thisis my newest online course intentionally designed to improve your practical knowledge of ecology. If you’re looking to develop ecological literacy and become a better naturalist, consider enrolling on Monday, May 12.
And now on to the newest video…
If you’ve spent enough time in tick-prone areas, you’ve probably seen ticks sucking the blood of deer. Logically, it makes sense that deer would at least be carriers of the Lyme disease spirochete. After all, white-footed mice and other mammalian tick hosts can be reservoirs for the bacteria.
But white-tailed deer are different. Their blood isn’t like the blood of other animals.
Scientists have been studying the relationship between deer and Lyme disease for decades. The newest research is quite fascinating, and in a brand-new video, I address some of the misconceptions surrounding the role of deer in transmitting Lyme bacteria.
Do deer ever get Lyme disease? If they don’t, what is it about deer that makes them immune? If deer are immune, why do ecologists still advocate for a reduction in the deer herd as a way to reduce Lyme disease rates in humans?
I’m really excited to announce that I’ll be leading an Old-Growth Forest Ecology Outing in a few weeks, and I’d love for you to join me.
This outing offers a unique in-person opportunity to learn the rich ecology and distinctive features of older forests.
We’ll begin the day by walking through a mature upland hardwood forest and discussing forest ecology. In the afternoon, we will explore a magnificent old-growth conifer forest and discuss old-growth forest dynamics.
In addition to learning key characteristics of mature and old-growth forests, participants will learn tree identification techniques; mushroom ecology and identification; the influence of geology on forest development; ways to interpret forest history; the role of fire as an ecological agent; old-growth forest misconceptions; and much more.
This event will take place in Cook Forest State Park. Located in northwestern Pennsylvania, Cook Forest is home to one of the last remaining old-growth forests in the entire region, currently hosting 11 old-growth areas totaling over 2,300 acres. One of the areas within the park, the Forest Cathedral, contains arguably the finest concentration of old-growth trees in the northeastern United States. This remarkable area is home to dozens of old-growth eastern white pine and hemlock trees, many over 300 years old and towering above 140 feet in height.
This outing is the perfect opportunity to learn, explore, and connect with nature in a truly spectacular setting.
Interested? Here are the details:
When: Saturday May 31, 2025 or Sunday June 1, 2025 (Choose one date; both programs will cover the same material.) Where: Cook Forest State Park, Pennsylvania Time: 10:00 am — 4:00 pm
To maximize your learning experience, space is limited and registration with payment in advance is required to secure your spot.
Paths I Walk 
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