The Best Lecture I Heard in College: How to Tie a Canoe Onto A Car

Recently, I had the occasion to put a canoe in the water, which of course involved getting the canoe on and off of the car. When it came to lashing the boat to the car, my companions for the day just stood back and watched. They observed the placement of the canoe on the racks, the positioning of the ropes, and finally the slip knots that sealed the deal. One actually muttered softly, “oh, that’s how you do it,” as if I were performing a magic trick.

I assure you, there was no sleight of hand involved. Far from it – it was the direct product of the best lecture I heard in college, delivered by the renowned lake researcher, Dr. Daniel Livingstone.

READ MORE

The Dam Keeper’s Dilemma

The Dam Keeper’s Dilemma

On the September 17, 2018, the remnants of Hurricane Florence had moved inland from the North Carolina coast and up into the Shenandoah Valley.  As he did during all major storm events, Michael was in his Soil and Water District truck patrolling the water levels at several flood control dams.  At the Tom’s Branch dam, Michael realized that things were a bit different with this storm.  The water level had already topped the 40 foot gauge and water was flowing through the emergency spillway.  Plus, the access road below was underwater, so Michael couldn’t drive out.  He spent the night there, in constant contact with County emergency services crews and his District co-workers in case mandatory evacuations had to be enacted.

READ MORE

Packera Pursuit

Packera Pursuit

I am being followed.  Or, rather, I am following.  I keep glancing over my shoulder to see if it is still there.  Not because I feel threatened, but because it is cheering me along, whether on foot or bicycle.  The subject is Packera aurea, known commonly as golden ragwort or golden groundsel.  Packera is unflinchingly cheerful.  If you are following Packera, you are likely in a wooded setting on a rocky ridge or a floodplain or maybe a rain garden, and it may be early or late Spring.  How fortunate for you!

READ MORE

The 25 Cent Part That Breaks the Million Dollar Machine

The $0.25 Part That Breaks the Million Dollar Machine

Recently, two seemingly incongruous things happened on the same day. The first was that I turned on my kitchen faucet and water sprayed all over the kitchen. The second was an online presentation that included an academic review of the deficiencies of stormwater practice inlets. Ah ha, I said, the 25 cent part that breaks the million dollar machine!

READ MORE

The Damming of America’s Rivers: Reflections on the Age of the Technocrat

The Damming of America’s River: Reflections on the Age of the Technocrat

Most of the nation’s rivers and tributaries had. . .been dammed by the late 1960s. . .The mainstreams of the Columbia, Missouri, Mississippi, Colorado, Tennessee, Ohio, and Rio Grande had been nearly fully developed (NRC, 1999, p. 18).  To our modern sensibilities, this seems like a crazy fact.  What societal forces were in play to allow this to happen?

READ MORE

Giving Back to Your Ecoregion

Giving Back to Your Ecoregion

I live in Central Virginia, but also the Northern Piedmont/Piedmont Uplands ecoregion.  As much as political boundaries, our ecoregions are responsible for the landscapes, livelihoods, cuisine, recreation, industries, cultures, and storytelling of the places where we live.  As such, our ecoregions provide for us and sustain our communities.

READ MORE

The Wisdom of Doctor Dish

One of my first jobs out of college in the early 1980s was working as a dishwasher and line cook in a vegetarian restaurant in Durham, NC.  The name of the restaurant was SomeThyme.  The place was quite a fixture within Durham’s cultural vibe at the time.

READ MORE

Little Bobby & Big Bobby: An Erosion Control Drama

Little Bobby & Big Bobby: An Erosion Control Drama

Little Bobby and Big Bobby were standing about four feet apart, work boots rooted in the construction mud. Excavation contractor Big Bobby, a mountain of a man, was swinging a shovel above his head like a helicopter blade in motion, cursing loudly as he swung. The County erosion control inspector Little Bobby, small of stature but stiff of spine, was holding his ground, growling his reaction to the shovel blade spinning just above head level. What was the argument about? Inlet protection.

READ MORE

Hackberry: Very Small Persons’ Climbing Wall

Hackberry: Very Small Persons’ Climbing Wall

The Hackberry tree (Celtis occidentalis) is also known as sugarberry, beaverwood, nettetree, or false elm.  The spreading canopy of the Hackberry has been compared to Einstein’s hair.  It derives its name from the Scottish “hag” (witch) or hagberry tree, and some refer to the drooping bushy branches as “witches’ brooms.” However, rather than creepy, the Hackberry is hard-working and has an uncomplaining nature. This blog will explain why and also reveal a little secret about this corky-barked floodplain friend.

READ MORE