Southern California’s water quality is constantly under threat from urban runoff and the downstream effects of climate change. Contaminants flow into water systems after heavy rains, sometimes making beaches unsafe and potentially affecting your home’s...
If a tree falls in a forest and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound? What about when a tree “talks” to another tree? Have you ever heard whisperings in the forest? Trees are abuzz with conversation beneath the soil. They share life-sustaining...
Staghorn ferns don’t grow in soil. In the wild, they cling to trees, rocks, or cliff faces, absorbing moisture and nutrients from rain and decaying leaves. Over time, multiple ferns fuse into a giant colony that can blanket entire tree trunks. They don’t...
“Coneflower” refers to the entire Echinacea genus, which includes about nine species. The most popular and studied one is Echinacea purpurea, with its striking purple blooms. Native American tribes used Echinacea for centuries to treat wounds, toothaches,...
“Oregano” comes from the Greek oros (mountain) and ganos (joy), translating to “joy of the mountain.” The ancient Greeks crowned newlyweds with the pungent plant. The herb was uncommon in American cuisine before WWII, but GIs returning from...
