Blog Post

Guyana Pt. 1: Unspoiled Rainforest

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By C2ST Staff

Guyana is a country that is mostly rainforest–87%, to be exact. It is bordered by Venezuela to the west, Suriname to the east, Brazil to the south, and the Atlantic Ocean to the north. Those countries all comprise part of the Guiana Shield, which houses one of the world’s last major frontier forests. Frontier forests are intact, uncompromised swaths of land that are large enough to withstand natural disasters, and healthy enough to support all of the animals and plants that reside there. These characteristics make the forest, and the country as a whole, a biodiversity hotspot worthy of international recognition and protection. Continue reading “Guyana Pt. 1: Unspoiled Rainforest”

Blog Post

Quarantining Outdoors: The Case for Nature During (and After) a Pandemic

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By C2ST Staff

An afternoon picnic in a park, a morning walk to hear the birds chirping, a fresh breeze coming off the lakefront. What do these three things have in common? Besides being quite pleasant, they all take place outside. Outdoor activities have been anxiety-inducing for some in the past year but are considered by health care professionals to be immensely important for our well-being. Continue reading “Quarantining Outdoors: The Case for Nature During (and After) a Pandemic”

Blog Post

Cow Brains: Does Size Matter?

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By Laura Tran, C2ST Intern, Rush University

Does size matter? In a sense, the answer is yes.

Domestication is an age-old process in which wild plants and animals are adapted for human use. We raise domestic animals (e.g, horses, cattle, sheep, pigs, dogs, and cats) for food, work, clothing, and companionship. Over time, domesticated animals exhibit a number of behavioral, physiological, and morphological traits¹ that differ from their wild counterparts. This is referred to as the “domestication syndrome” and this process is what led to our cute and cuddly pets today! Animals become friendlier, have smaller jaws and teeth, and even have smaller brains. 

Continue reading “Cow Brains: Does Size Matter?”

Event

Midewin Prairie 101: Part II

*This program can be attended without background on Part I.  The area is so large, we need two sessions to share all its beauty.

What is Midewin (pronounced mi-DAY-win) National Tallgrass Prairie? Learn about the history and geography of this very special place less than an hour from the city.  Join C2ST and longtime Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie volunteers Greg DuBois, Ron Kapala, and Christina L. Sammet, Ph.D., as well as Visitor Information Assistant Laura Lewis as they take us on a virtual journey to explore restored wetlands, prairies, and observe wildlife. While learning why conservation is so important, visit some of the best examples of restored prairie. Register now for Prairie 101 to join the conversation on how Midewin will change and what change means for wildlife and recreation in this two-part summer evening series. 

Continue reading “Midewin Prairie 101: Part II”

Event

Midewin Prairie 101: Part I

What is Midewin (pronounced mi-DAY-win) National Tallgrass Prairie? Learn about the history and geography of this very special place less than an hour from the city.  Join C2ST and longtime Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie volunteers Greg DuBois, Ron Kapala, and Christina L. Sammet, Ph.D., as they take us on a virtual journey to explore restored wetlands, prairies, and observe wildlife. While learning why conservation is so important, visit some of the best examples of restored prairie. Register now for Prairie 101 to join the conversation on how Midewin will change and what change means for wildlife and recreation in this two-part summer evening series. 

Continue reading “Midewin Prairie 101: Part I”