This photo epitomizes the reality that even our most sensitive species must endure at least some level of human impact. Blanding’s turtle basking on a semi truck tire in NW Indiana. #blandingsturtle #turtle #indianaherps #emydoideablandingii

Nonprofit land trusts are integral to saving our beautiful natural areas and associated wildlife. This amazing site was recently donated and happened to contain many rare plants and animals. #massasauga #landtrust #sistruruscatenatus #indianawildlife

An eastern massasauga peers through the vegetation at a fen in northern Indiana. One of two found basking on an overcast afternoon. #easternmassasauga #fen #indiana

Early morning sun on an eastern massasauga coiled in an area where we have recently treated and removed common reed (Phragmites australis). With native vegetation and an open canopy, I hope to see more use this area. #massasauga #wetlandrestoration #sistrurus #conservation

This is why you #plantnatives! So many pollinators are visiting the New England aster in my small native planting. #nativelandscaping #nativeplants #pollinators

To end the year, here is a meta-thread of my most useful threads! First off, the grand master thread, explaining: "how do we know climate change is human-caused?" x.com/KHayhoe/status…

Male spotted salamanders have yet to hit wetlands in northern Indiana. #indiana #salamander #ambystoma #spring

Hatchling painted turtle with habitat in the background. Watch for turtles while you are on the road, or like me, while on a walk near your local golf course. #turtle #babyturtle #brakeforturtles #brakeforwildlife

Two female spotted turtles (Clemmys guttata) inhabiting a degraded wetland adjacent to a railroad in Northwest Indiana. A result of our isolated natural areas in the midst of intense human land-use. #clemmysguttata #turtles #indianawildlife

Cypripedium candidum flowering with carpets of Carex leptalea in a northern Indiana fen.

Consider donating to causes that combat racism and work toward racial equality. The time is now, we have sat on the sidelines too long. #donate #actionsspeak

Two Blanding’s turtles (Emydoidea blandingii) from a Lake Michigan coastal wetland. Check out the difference in the yellow neck of these two individuals. #emydoideablandingii #Turtle #GreatLakes #Indiana

Flipped a rock expecting maybe a snake or probably nothing since it was 90 degrees out. The rock split and I found a very energetic four-toed salamander hangin’ with some slugs inside. I know nothing. #herps #indiana #GreatLakes

Purple bladderwort (Utricularia purpurea) in bloom with a carpet of water shield in an interdunal wetland near Lake Michigan. #GreatLakes #botany

This week’s weather has been much better than the recent hot, dry streak in northern Indiana. This female massasauga was out basking this morning after cool overnight temps. #Massasauga #Indianaherps

A slender glass lizard (Ophisaurus attenuatus) from dune and swale habitat south of Lake Michigan. #herpetology #GreatLakes

The second chapter of my thesis research has been published in the Journal of Herpetology! I, along with a team of great researchers, examined selective predation by larval salamanders in wetlands in Ohio and Illinois. Open-access article here: meridian.allenpress.com/journal-of-her…

SAVE THE DATE. We are hosting our annual meeting in-person this year at John Ball Zoo, Grand Rapids MI, September 9-11. The theme is: Midwest Regional Species of Greatest Conservation Need.

Sights from a hill prairie on a limestone bluff in Dubuque County, IA. Some of the dominant plants included Helianthus occidentalis, Liatris cylindracea, Carex eburnea, Symphiotrichum sericeum, and Bouteloua curtipendula. #iowa #botany #prairie

A fen in Mitchell County, IA in full bloom. Some notable species included Salix bebbiana and Pedicularis lanceolata. #fen #botany #iowa #midwest