Why snakes shed their skin
If you frequently walk through the prairies and woodlands, or perhaps even your own backyard, you may come upon a rather delicate, whitish t...
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Natural North Dakota
Hosted by Chuck Lura, a biology professor at Dakota College in Bottineau. Chuck has a broad knowledge of “Natural North Dakota” and loves sharing that knowledge with others. Since 2005, he h...
Natural North Dakota Podcast Guide
Listen to Natural North Dakota, a Government & Organizations podcast by Prairie Public. Stream 33 episodes in English, follow new audio stories, and play episodes online on Radio and Podcast.
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20 of 33 episodesWhat is that hawk circling overhead?
A rather common sight across North Dakota during the summer months is a large hawk with broad wings and a wide, rounded tail soaring high ov...
Exploring North Dakota's Heart River
It might come as a surprise, but an estimated 10,000 to 20,000 Mandan lived in and around the confluence of the Heart River and Missouri Riv...
Three Grosbeaks to find in North Dakota
Are you familiar with grosbeaks? They are birds, similar in size to an oriole, and known for their rather short and conical beaks. Three spe...
Can North Dakota save its ash trees?
Elm trees, once abundant and widely distributed in North Dakota and highly valued as an ornamental died by the thousands, mostly in the 1970...
Why cottonwoods produce millions of seeds
A single cottonwood tree can produce a staggering number of small seeds each year. Estimates range from around 25-48 million. But of course,...
Dame’s rocket may be pretty, but it's a non-native species in North America
Have you been noticing a 2-3 foot tall wildflower sporting a terminal cluster of conspicuous purple flowers? If so, it is probably Dame’s Ro...
How early travelers navigated the Northern Plains
Have you ever wondered how Native Americans, early explorers, and settlers got around the region without getting lost? These days, well-mark...
The interesting survival strategy of Jack-in-the-Pulpit plants
I suspect that most people have heard of the Jack-in-the-Pulpit plant, but may not know that it is native to North Dakota. And it might surp...
Why pollinators depend on native weeds
Have you been fighting the weeds yet this spring? Whether it is in gardens, yards, or fields, the weeds seem to be a perpetual problem. But...
What to watch for in this summer's night sky
Consider making an effort this summer to spend more time observing the nighttime sky.
The cheerful return of the robin
Seeing the first robin of the year is perhaps the most widely recognized harbinger of spring.
The surprising strength of spider silk
Next time you see a spider web, you might want to look at it a bit more closely: The spider silk is generating considerable interest and res...
Watch the skies! Eta Aquarids Meteor Shower peaks in early May
You might want to monitor the night sky over the next few weeks: The Eta Aquarids Meteor Shower is on now, and will continue through much of...
Why fire is essential to North Dakota’s native prairie
In the absence of burning, grazing, or other active management, native prairie can quickly deteriorate. Historically, bison grazed the prair...
Watch your step: The “jumping” cactus of North Dakota
People have been known to be badly injured in the desert by getting tangled up with cactus, particularly a species of cholla commonly known...
The vital role of woodpeckers in North Dakota
Chuck Lura explores the species of woodpeckers found in North Dakota and the vital role they play as keystone species in maintaining healthy...
Red Osier Dogwood stands out in the winter landscape
This time of year, there is not a lot of color on the landscape. But there is a red stemmed shrub that may catch your attention. If so, it i...
Hello, spring!
On Friday, March 20, at 9:46 a.m., the sun crossed the celestial equator — marking the spring equinox. As the term “equinox” indicates, ther...
Look up! Spring bird migration is back
Have you noticed geese flying overhead recently? If you haven’t, you will soon. That is because the spring migration is on. Although some ha...