My Nature Posts -- The Nature Conservancy

Close Encounters with Nature

Mon, 25 Feb 2013 00:00:00 -0600

Nick Hall

Have you had a close encounter with nature? An unexpected swim with dolphins in the ocean? A too-close-for-comfort experience with a powerful tornado? A run-in with a hidden snake? Share you story with us in the comments section below!

Whether thrilling, scary or just plain unexpected, these are the moments that remind us of the true wonders of the natural world and the importance of protecting it.

Do you have a photo or video of your close encounter experience? Share your photos with us on Flickr™ (all you need to do is add your photos to the Nature Conservancy group and tag them Thrill-TNC). Or share your YouTube link in the comments below. We'll be looking for some of the best stories to share with our readers on our blog, Conservancy Talk.

Thanks for sharing your story!

Name That Bird - Advanced Version

Mon, 25 Feb 2013 00:00:00 -0600

Been birding for a while? Already mastered our Name That Bird quiz?

Try your hand at our advanced version. It’s a little trickier, and it features birds that live in places we protect all around the world.

Simply click your answer choice and look for a colored background – green for a right answer and pink for an incorrect one. After you take the quiz, tell us how you did by commenting below.

This species is the smallest in the crane family and lives in Central Eurasia, including the grasslands of Mongolia. (Photo © Flickr User: Sergey Yeliseev)

This beautiful bird is seen here in the highland forests of Colombia. (Photo © Tim Boucher/TNC)

This species of trogon can be seen in southwestern Arizona. (Photo © Flickr User: Fort Photo)

This common shorebird breeds across the top of both North America and Eurasia. (Photo © Tim Boucher/TNC)

This hummingbird is the smallest bird in North America north of Mexico. (Photo © Flickr User: Scott Carpenter Photography)

This owl is one of the most widely distributed owls in the world, seen here in the Eastern United States. (Photo © Flickr User: sunnyf16)

0-2 correct: Not too shabby! You might not know what they are called, but did you know that birds make great subjects for nature photos? Get outside, take a camera and share your bird photos with our online community!

3-4 correct: Good job! You’ve done your homework, but, there is still so much more to know! Grab your binoculars and find a birding hotspot.

5-6 correct: Out of sight! Have you thought about becoming an ornithologist? Share your love of our fine-feathered friends when you send one of our free, paperless bird e-cards.

Want to know more about these fascinating creatures? Check out the Bird of the Month to learn about this month's featured bird!

Bird information adapted from The Cornell Lab of Ornithology's All About Birds guide and from .

Urban Conservation

Mon, 26 Nov 2012 00:00:00 -0600

Krista Schlyer

Rob McDonald, a senior scientist for The Nature Conservancy, used to hate cities—the concrete jungles and constant din used to stress this plant ecologist out. But today, he and other Conservancy scientists are finding that helping cities—which will add 3 billion people by 2050—grow and function sustainably is key to protecting nature and the benefits it provides people.

What do you think? Should people who care about conservation pay attention to cities? Or do you agree with Thore
au who once said, "In wildness is the preservation of the world"? Share your opinion below.

Read more of Rob's blog posts (including his thoughts on the end of nature, the tenuous relationship between conservation and human rights advocacy, and the Jevons paradox) here.

Tell Us Your Fire Story

Wed, 11 Jul 2012 00:00:00 -0500

Erick Stahlin/TNC

At the Conservancy, our hearts go out to everyone suffering from the recent megafires that have drastically impacted people's homes, lives and livelihoods across North America. In times like these our hope above all is for the safety of firefighters and residents, with minimal loss of property.

So far in 2012 more than 50 Conservancy staff have worked on wildfires affecting more than a dozen states. Our fire team stands at the ready to continue to help state and firefighting efforts when called upon. In addition to our fire team, Conservancy staffs also live in communities that are facing the threat of megafires. They have been generous enough to offer their personal perspectives in our Wildfire Journal.

We would be honored to hear about your experience with the fires. We are all in this together and by sharing our stories across the country, we can support each other.

Thank you in advance for reading our stories and sharing yours.

Tell Us Your Fire Story

Wed, 11 Jul 2012 00:00:00 -0500

Erick Stahlin/TNC

Show Your Support for Our Fire Fighter Team

Mon, 02 Jul 2012 00:00:00 -0500

Erick Stahlin/TNC

Because you are an online supporter of The Nature Conservancy, we know that your heart has gone out to everyone suffering from the recent mega-fires that have drastically impacted people's homes, lives and livelihoods in Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona and beyond.

The Nature Conservancy is grateful for the hard work and professionalism of the agencies and individuals working on this fire. Our hope above all is for the safety of firefighters and residents, with minimal loss of property.

We invite you to post words of encouragement to our firefighter team as they respond to this threat and work to prevent future disasters. Consider sending just a brief note of thanks in the comments section below to the firefighters who are still on the front lines of the fires.

Please also consider being on the front lines with the fire fighter team when you make a donation. As we continue to respond to this current threat and work to reduce the impact of the next disaster we need your support to be ready.