Author Archives: KristiV

Silent Spring: Warblers

Posted on 17 October 2012 by KristiV

In the chapter And No Birds Sing, Rachel Carson describes the consequences of DDT spraying (for elm bark beetles) for various bird populations in the Midwestern US. Two ornithologists at Michigan State University, George Wallace and John Mehner, documented the … Continue reading →

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West Nile Virus, Urban Vector Control, and the 50th Anniversary of Silent Spring

Posted on 27 September 2012 by KristiV

According to the September 18 update at the Centers for Disease Control website, over 3000 cases of West Nile virus (WNV) disease in humans have been reported in the US this year. Approximately half of these cases were classified as … Continue reading →

Posted in DDT, disease vector, pesticides, Rachel_Carson, Silent_Spring, urban public health, West_Nile_virus | Comments Off on West Nile Virus, Urban Vector Control, and the 50th Anniversary of Silent Spring

Urban Heat Islands and Climate Change

Posted on 17 September 2012 by KristiV

A recent story on NPR’s Morning Edition piqued my interest in the urban heat island (UHI) phenomenon, which has been recognized since the late 1980s. In the radio piece, the rather startling claim was made that cities are heating up … Continue reading →

Posted in cities, climate change, London, urban landscape, urban_heat_island | Comments Off on Urban Heat Islands and Climate Change

Suburban Wildlife: Texas Spiny Lizard

Posted on 9 September 2012 by KristiV

In spite of (or perhaps because of) another very hot, dry summer here, my suburban backyard is a small refuge for a variety of insects, birds, and reptiles. Among the largest of the reptiles I’ve seen recently is the Texas … Continue reading →

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Deer OT ….

Posted on 10 December 2011 by KristiV

…. I wish you a belated Happy Birthday! I’m preparing for a meeting, so I got nothing at the moment, except some photos of wacky white-tailed deer, hanging out on campus.

Posted in animal control, bring_us_a_shrubbery, deer, fluff | Comments Off on Deer OT ….

Mythos

Posted on 15 November 2011 by KristiV

Plain arrows are langweilig, nicht wahr?

Posted in academia, fantasy, fluff, graffiti, here_be_dragons | Comments Off on Mythos

City Reads

Posted on 13 November 2011 by KristiV

Do you know what it means to miss New Orleans? And miss it each day and night? I know I’m not wrong – this feeling’s gettin’ stronger The longer I stay away. Miss them moss-covered vines, the tall sugar pines … Continue reading →

Posted in book reviews, cities, city books, New Orleans, olfaction | Comments Off on City Reads

Futures?

Posted on 3 November 2011 by KristiV

*cough* *coughcoughcough* *cough!*

Posted in cities, climate change, coastline erosion, Galveston, seawall, sustainability | Comments Off on Futures?

National Public Lands Day in a Drought City

Posted on 24 September 2011 by KristiV

2011 has been a year of exceptional heat and drought throughout most of the state of Texas, and 2012 isn’t looking much better. Although the city of San Antonio obtains water from the artesian Edwards Aquifer, this is a limited … Continue reading →

Posted in cities, drought, mulch, National Public Lands Day, rain garden, sustainability, urban infrastructure, urban landscape, volunteer, xeriscaping | Comments Off on National Public Lands Day in a Drought City

Retirements

Posted on 13 August 2011 by KristiV

First, a few lines about Texas weather from On the Road: Great clouds of gritty wind blew at us from shimmering spaces. Nightfall seemed like a million miles away as we resumed for Coleman and Brady — the heart of … Continue reading →

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