When Donna Falk’s 8th grade science class saw my recent butterfly blog, they had even more questions. Well, of course they did, because she’s a great teacher! So my latest blog adds more cool facts about my favorite Nymphalidae. (Including the “caterpillar soup” inside their chrysalis!)

When I caught sight of my first monarch yesterday, my silly heart fluttered faster than her beautiful wings (which you’ll see is pretty quick!) And so it begins. My wonderful summer ritual of protecting caterpillars so they can form their chrysalises and emerge as the new generation of monarchs. To kick off butterfly season, here’s a fun Q&A about these amazing members of the Nymphalidae family!

Ephemeral may mean fleeting or short-lived, but when it comes to woodland wildflowers, it really should mean magical! By the time the tree canopy above fills with leaves, these native perennials have already produced their gorgeous flowers, dropped their seeds, then died back to spend the rest of their life cycles underground. Learn what to look for as these wondrous Spring treasures start to appear.

Whether you’re a master climber or taking your first tentative steps on a trail, things can go from wonderful to horrible in a minute. But you can avoid many common hiking injuries and setbacks with a little knowledge and planning. See “5 Must-Knows for Hiking First Aid” for any outdoor adventure, large or small.

After raising monarchs for years, I wonder if we’re like hungry caterpillars. Perhaps we’re reaching the limits of our gorging and we’re poised for metamorphosis? Read more in my latest blog at www.merrybrennan.com

I agree: a picture is worth a thousand words, But I also believe words can enrich an image, sort of like walnut crunch on a hot fudge sundae or rémoulade on crab cakes. I love flavoring my photos with brief thoughts, quotes, and inspirations. See my growing “Photoplay” collection.

Does the “big picture” on our planet ever make you suck in your breath… and not in a good way? Yet, every day brings me more hope, especially when I turn to nature. Beside the healing effects we get from nature, researchers are also leveraging the powers of flora and fauna to help remedy our impact on the planet. Read some promising solutions and ponder how we each can help our Earth.

What’s your favorite way to tap into what the Happiness Research Institute in Copenhagen calls "outdoorphins?" It’s old news that a walk in the woods is great exercise and can improve your heart health and weight. But did you know exposure to nature might also help fight a cold? Reduce stress? Help kids with ADHD? And maybe even prevent certain kinds of cancer? Read more for the latest findings.

Who needs texts, tweets or even telephones, when you have a vase of tulips? From early Chinese dynasties to the Victorian age, flowers spoke volumes and even delivered secret codes for clandestine communication. We may no longer rely on floriography, as it was called, but our botanical friends still hold lots of meaning. Check out your special flower!

Longer days, warmer temps and pandemic fatigue… what better motivation to go for a good hike with your kids? But rescues and trash in our natural areas are at an all-time high because of an influx of first-timers. See 10 tips to help you have fun and stay safe on family hikes!

It’s our 52nd Earth Day on April 22. Along with the trademark slogan, Earth Day, Every Day, let’s add Kindness. Even the tiniest acts of niceness help create inner peace, and that’s our REAL ticket to a better world. See more in my latest blog. I’d LOVE to hear your tips for how to be kinder toward each other and the earth!

We learned many things the hard way when planning the 7,000 mile adventure to 20 national parks in Eye Rolls & Awe: A National Park Road Trip with Teens. Don’t miss our top 10 tips!

I’m in love with fun guys. Okay, they’re really pronounced fun-jai, not fun-guy, but that doesn’t diminish my attraction. From their communication skills to their healing powers, learn 9 fun facts about the fabulous fungal kingdom.

As spring fever heats up, you can bet that the National Parks will be a magnet for millions wanting to shed the COVID-and-weather-intense winter. But you can enjoy magnificent natural treasures without feeling like you are at Times Square on a pre-pandemic New Year’s Eve. Here are 10 destinations to fill your wanderlust without crowds.

Water lifts our spirits, keeps our bodies healthy and supports every living being in our world. How do we love and protect our threatened waterways? In honor of World Water Day, here are six tips that won’t cost you anything but your attention.