NATURE AT RISK

This is a series of articles on the fauna and flora of the Brodhead watershed that face endangerment.

Northern Leopard Frog

Are we driving out the Northern Leopard Frog?  Northern leopard frogs used to be common from most of Canada through the colder parts of the US.  Since the 1960s, they’ve been almost entirely wiped out in their western ranges.

“Eagle-Eyed" Etiquette

Much as you love watching them, do the birds a favor. Keep your distance.  Give them the privacy and peace they need

Ash Trees

Agent of death — the emerald ash borer is a tiny insect that has ripped through the Brodhead watershed, killing hundreds of thousands of ash trees. Countless species that depend on the ash tree are suffering.

Northern Flying Squirrel

Habitat destruction is endangering the Northern flying squirrel population.

Bald Eagle

Bald eagles are alive and well in the Brodhead watershed, but other critters are in decline.

Brown Bat

Bats are actually amazing mammals with well-developed eyes. There are 1,400 species of bats worldwide.

Monarch Butterfly

Monarch butterflies are in steep decline, according to the Center for Biological Diversity. Over the last 20 years, their numbers have dropped by 85 percent.

River Otter

If you have seen the elusive river otter in the wild, you are one of the lucky few.

American Bittern

American Bittern

American bitterns are rare in the Brodhead watershed. The culprit: habitat degraded by humans. 

Shadbush

It’s said the more common names a plant has, the more important it is to the culture of an area.

Rusty Patched Bumblebee

Rusty-patched bumble bee

This tiny creature’s range has shrunk to about 15 percent of what it once was.

Golden-Winged Warbler

Golden-winged warbler

This endearing dynamo has one of the smallest populations of any bird not on the endangered list.

Brook trout

“Brookies” need cold, clear, pure, oxygen-rich water to survive and thrive – and these fish are worth protecting.

Turtle Talk

Bog turtle

The adorable, tiny bog turtle is at risk from environmental factors and people who “love” them too much.