In olden days miners took canaries into the mine to give them an early warning if toxic gases were present. Now birds in the natural world are giving us a warning. Over the past 50 years, more than 60% of the wintering North American bird species have shifted their winter range northward, ...

Communities in every corner of the country now struggle with a lack of affordable homes, an ailment long associated with fast-growing urban areas. I used to think that if the market would take care of any problem facing rural communities, it would take care of housing. If we could get jobs, ...

Certain foods only feel right during the summer. Gnawing on a hot dog in negative twenty-degree weather does not make sense. It’s best to enjoy the summer foods during the right time of the year, and there are only a few foods that truly matter. Watermelon is one of these foods. Have you ...

Last week, the North Tama Telegraph published an article about residents stopping Iowa Select Farms from putting up a CAFO in Tama County. The aura of building next to the homestead of the “Butter Cow Lady” was one reason it was doomed despite Iowa Select Farms receiving DNR approval. This ...

The last Passenger Pigeon died over 100 years ago. I would like to reflect on its passing with the eloquent words of Aldo Leopold, On a Monument to the Pigeon, Sand County Almanac, 1949. “There will always be passenger pigeons in book and in museums, but these are effigies and ...

Fourth of July is close. A celebration of independence from the Kingdom of Great Britain. While it has become more about who makes the best burger, brats, or fireworks, it is the most important holiday. Without declaring independence, the United States of America would not have existed, nor ...

Happy Birthday, Michael!