Chuck Lura

While long-stemmed roses dominate Valentine’s Day sales, native members of the rose family are woven into North Dakota’s landscape — including the State Flower, the Wild Prairie Rose.

Do your ever wonder what the winter landscape looked like on the prairie long ago when there were no farmsteads, transmission lines, and the few trees that were present were largely restricted to the floodplains of major rivers? There are some interesting written descriptions of that landscape.

During winter cold spells, concerns are often voiced on how the animals manage to make it through the season. Of course, there is variation in how well-adapted animals are to winter. It is similar with plants, which is exemplified by the development of plant hardiness zones. But how about plant seeds during the winter months? There is probably a lot more going there than most people would think.

Groundhog Day is coming up Monday, February 2. Do not look for any groundhog in North Dakota to poke its head out of their burrow. It is far too early for that.

Are you getting a case of the winter blues? Are you spending too much time on the couch and too little time outdoors? Consider making a concerted effort to get outdoors more often to enjoy some of what nature has to offer during the winter. There is much to see and do for those interested a little "Natural North Dakota" that is quite easy to observe if one just takes the time to do so.

All plant parts of water hemlock are toxic to humans and livestock. It is one of the deadliest plants native to North America, some say the deadliest.

Spending time in nature doesn’t just inspire awe — research shows it can improve our health and well-being.

Goldenrods might have caught your attention back in August and September with their showy yellow flowerheads. And they may still catch your attention during the winter.

The rest of December and the first week of January could be great for skywatching. What could be the best meteor shower of the year is peaking next weekend. Plus, a couple other meteor showers and a super moon are coming soon.

The northern lights were making national news a few weeks ago. Reports of the displays came streaming in from as far south as Florida. Seeing them always seems to elicit a sense of wonder and awe, and there may well be more shows to come this winter.