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...
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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 29 episodes in English, follow new audio stories, and play episodes online on Radio and Podcast.
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Episodes
20 of 29 episodes
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...
Ancient lakes left their mark on North Dakota’s plains
Most North Dakotans know that the Red River Valley is a portion of the former lakebed of glacial Lake Agassiz, but there are other glacial l...
Lizards of North Dakota
I read an article in the February issue of National Geographic about horned lizards in Texas. Their populations are being decimated, largely...
Roses in North Dakota aren't just for Valentine’s Day
While long-stemmed roses dominate Valentine’s Day sales, native members of the rose family are woven into North Dakota’s landscape — includi...
How early writers described winter on the North Dakota prairie
Do your ever wonder what the winter landscape looked like on the prairie long ago when there were no farmsteads, transmission lines, and the...